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Poor milk supply...working to increase it now

hydrangeagirlhydrangeagirl member
in Breastfeeding
A few days ago I posted about low weight gain for my 8 week old LO.  After seeing our pedi and a LC, it was suggested that I should BF LO every 2 hours and pump after each session to supplement his feedings to encourage weight gain.  The LC concluded that I have a supply issue based on what she observed.  I've done weighted feedings for LO for the past 36 hours and it is confirmed that I have a supply issue.   I have been able to barely produce enough milk through BF and pumping after each session to satisfy his hunger; it has been a lot of work and exhausting.  Weighted feedings revealed I am transferring anywhere from 1 to 3 oz each session; I am pumping an average of 1 oz after each session. 

I am trying very hard to increase my milk supply but need your insights to make sure I am doing this correctly and have not missed anything.  

For the past 36 hours I am:

- feeding LO every two hours and more frequently as I observe his cues
- pumping for about 15 minutes after each session ensuring my breasts are empty
- using breast compression and massage
- drinking TONS of water and keeping my food intake high
- drinking mothers milk tea
- eating oatmeal for breakfast 
- taking 4 fenugreek pills/day

I would like to do a power pumping session but have read variations on how it should be done.  Is it pump for 20, off for 10, on for 10, off for 10, OR pump for 10, off for 10, so forth and so on?  How many PP sessions should I do?  

How long before I start seeing an increase in my milk production?   I am so worried I won't have enough milk to pump when I return to work in about 4 weeks.  

I really appreciate the helpful and supportive advice the ladies on this board have given me.  I don't think I could have gotten through these past 8 weeks without you.

TIA :)


Me, 41; DH 38; TTC since July 2012, 1st round of Clomid, BFP on 10/19, what an incredible blessing!  M/c on 7w3d; D&C on 11/30; 4th round of Clomid 100mg = BFP on 04/19!!! M/c #2 at 7w; D&C on 5/30, then repeat D&C on 7/1.  Saline u/s on 8/2, uterus looks great!  Will start TTC in 09/13 w/ Clomid 100mg. Surprise natural BFP on 8/25!!! Beta #1=95, #2=182, #3=404!  EDD 5/4/13...Grow baby grow!


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Re: Poor milk supply...working to increase it now

  • GuennieGuennie member
    I think you can power pump either way. My LC had me do 10 on, 10 off but I've seen others post 20 on, 10 off, 10 on. You may have to see how you do with it. I have very sensitive nipples and I can only handle one power pumping session a day.

    I have had better luck taking Motherlove More Milk Plus than I did with the tea or fenugreek so you may consider adding that to your arsenal.

    I know it sucks having low supply, it broke my heart when I had to start supplementing. I hope you are able to get your supply up. Good luck!
    Me:41, DH:41 Positive for MTHFR mutations- one copy C677T, one copy A1298C. One daughter born on Thanksgiving in 2013. Six losses.
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  • hydrangeagirlhydrangeagirl member
    Thank you ladies for your feedback; I appreciate it very much.

    @theresat858 it did not even occur to me to look at my milk production in terms of one ounce per hour.  It makes me wonder where the LC came to the conclusion that I had low supply.   Unfortunately, my combined output does not equal the number of hours in all cases.  My alarm did not go off last night and LO slept for 4 hours.  When I woke up to feed him, my combined output did not equal 4 ounces.  Also, I absolutely agree that LO has some kind of transfer issue going on.  I plan to schedule an appt with another LC (not the one I saw a few days ago) to see what her conclusion might be.  

    I plan to start PP tonight and will do so for a few days so hopefully that will give me a boost.

    Thanks again!
    Me, 41; DH 38; TTC since July 2012, 1st round of Clomid, BFP on 10/19, what an incredible blessing!  M/c on 7w3d; D&C on 11/30; 4th round of Clomid 100mg = BFP on 04/19!!! M/c #2 at 7w; D&C on 5/30, then repeat D&C on 7/1.  Saline u/s on 8/2, uterus looks great!  Will start TTC in 09/13 w/ Clomid 100mg. Surprise natural BFP on 8/25!!! Beta #1=95, #2=182, #3=404!  EDD 5/4/13...Grow baby grow!


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  • Marick2Marick2 member
    Yeah, I agree with PP. It sounds like there might be a transfer problem. Before my son has his tongue tie clipped, I had a very similar nursing/pumping output that you mentioned. After the clip (at 4 weeks), he was much more efficient and I actually had to stop drinking a mother's milk tea because it was causing an over supply. GL the second LC, I think that's a great idea!
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