Pumping problems

haylo33 · September 2014

I went back to work at 13 weeks and have been pumping. I work 12 hour shifts and I pump 3x. Then I go home and feed LO and usually pump the other breast. LO is eating more than I am pumping and we are going through the freezer stash rather quickly. He eats 4oz bottles at the sitter. We usually send 4 bottles but have a little left over. I seem to only be pumping 10-12 oz during the 12 hours. I do have small nipples so I ordered 21mm horns thinking that may be the issue. LO BFs off me 4 days a week with no issue and is content after 1 breast so I know I'm making enough. Any advice? I hate to take supplements because my schedule is all over the place and I don't want to be engorged the days I'm off. I should also add the when I pump in the morning, I get about 5 oz but the next 2 pumps as the day goes on I only get 3.

FlemDance · September 2014

How much are you eating/drinking throughout the day? Maybe try to up your water intake, as well as eating more healthy fats (i.e. avocado). That might work?

gutsysneakers · September 2014

How long are you pumping for? Tips I've learned - hit the button a few times during a pumping session to increase the number of letdowns. Keep pumping and hit the button one last time and leave the pump on for a 2-3 minutes after the last drop of milk - I usually get one more let down that way.

Other things I do - drink a lot of water, eat oatmeal almost every day, and drink a beer at night.

I hear you though - DD is drinking 18-20 oz at DC and I am barely cutting it. I think we may be dipping into our freezer stash sooner than I wanted.

Katzalia · September 2014

I find that I sometimes get another ounce with massaging/hand expressing after I pump (and I have super low supply). Takes maybe five minutes, alternating between sides.

Also, maybe try power pumping once a day if you can fit it in (10 or 15 min on, 5 or 10 off, then 5 or 10 on again is the short version of the "power hour" that I sometimes use).

bazingaa · September 2014

have you changed the membranes lately?

spinsoffresonance · September 2014

3pumps over 12 hours is kind of low, any way you can manage to fit in 1-2more sessions?
I couldn't keep up with DD1 when I was pumping at work either. I was pumping every 2.5hours, pumping an extra 10min after the milk stopped flowing, eating oatmeal, etc. then I started pumping in the evening after DD1 went to bed. Of course the more i was freaking out about not pumping enough the less I was getting. I finally decided to send DD to daycare with 2 BM bottles and 1 formula bottle. She still got all the benefits of BM and I didn't have to be such a slave to the pump and stress about it so much, which actually helped me relax and pump a little more. I kept nursing at home without issues and DD weaned at 15 months.

danabsd · September 2014

3x in 12 hours seems low. I used to pump 3 in 8 at work.
I highly doubt fenugreek a couple times a day will cause you engorgement as it's bit going to magically make you produce 10 more onces a day. You may get one or none. I'd try it.

haylo33 · September 2014

I think I may know what the problem is. I used to feel letdown very clearly and the last few weeks I haven't. I get on my phone or make calls while pumping so I'm not really focused. I'm going to try looking at pictures and videos and see if that is the issue.

momo214 · September 2014

I supplement with a bottle of formula also. There's nothing wrong with that and you can relax and not stress that you're not fulfilling all LOs bottles. It's a huge relief.

PattyTC · September 2014

I've had to add a session after feeding in the morning, before work. I just hook it up while I'm doing makeup and hair. It's simple and easy for me. It helped increase my supply later in the day and I already had one bottle made so I didn't stress as much. However eating enough and drinking water is SUPER important!

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