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Working moms & breastfeeding

Cwhitaker27Cwhitaker27 member
in Success after IF
Give me your best tips on boosting milk supply!

DD is 4.5 months and drinking approx 5oz every 3hours except for the first AM feed where she drinks approximately 7oz.I usually breastfeed her for the morning feed. So I need to supply approximately 15oz a day if I get off on time. I usually am only able to pump 10ozdaily while I'm away.

I am unable to keep up with this by pumping at work. My schedule is soo unpredictable and sometimes I can only pump once for 10-15 mins when I'm away at work. I've been drinking mothers milk 3x a day and sometimes I feel it helps by an extra oz or so. I've been zooming through my freezer stash.

I would love to get her through flu season with breast milk only if possible. Help!!
image DS 7.6.2011 TTC#2
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Re: Working moms & breastfeeding

  • srveatchsrveatch member
    Wow... Healthy eater! I never pumped more than 8oz a day so I don't have any advice except to try to fit in more pumping sessions. Your supply sounds great to me if you are getting ten out of one pumping session! I have heard if you wake up early and pump first thing in the morning before nursing your little one you can build up a stash that way... Or if you are super dedicated a middle of the night pumping if your little one is already sleeping through the night.
    TTC since June 2011
    DH diagnosed with Testicular Cancer 8/2010
    Low sperm count. Only option IVF with ICSI
    Starting First cycle Jan/Feb 2012- Canceled due to not responding to BCP and/or Lupron
    IVF 1.2- stims March 14, ER March 24, 16 R 10F 6 made it to blast
    ET March 29- transferred two blasts, 4A and 4BA, froze 4
    Positive HPT 9dp5dt Beta 1- 385 11dp5dt
    u/s April 25- one healthy heartbeat
    EDD 12/12/12>


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  • srveatchsrveatch member
    Also, I wanted to add that I had to start supplementing with formula a few months after I went back to work after my stash ran out. It wasn't terrible... I would just mix in two oz of formula to 4 oz of breast milk. Baby is still getting the good stuff you want and also getting enough calories.
    TTC since June 2011
    DH diagnosed with Testicular Cancer 8/2010
    Low sperm count. Only option IVF with ICSI
    Starting First cycle Jan/Feb 2012- Canceled due to not responding to BCP and/or Lupron
    IVF 1.2- stims March 14, ER March 24, 16 R 10F 6 made it to blast
    ET March 29- transferred two blasts, 4A and 4BA, froze 4
    Positive HPT 9dp5dt Beta 1- 385 11dp5dt
    u/s April 25- one healthy heartbeat
    EDD 12/12/12>


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  • ccamccam member
    Can you pump on your commute into work?

    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Trying for #1 since May 2010   l   DX ~ Unexplained Infertility June 2011

    IUI #1&2 = BFN; IUI #3 = BFP, m/c @ 6 weeks

    November '11 ~ IVF#1 ~ ER 11/18 (29R, 17F) ~ 5dt of one beautiful blast on 11/23 = BFP!!

    Beta #1 9dp5dt = 116, P4 = 28 ~ Beta #2 13dp5dt = 700 ~ Beta #3 20dp5dt = 9500, P4 = 26

    1st u/s 12/27 - hb of 156!! EDD 8.10.12 :)   **TEAM GREEN!**

    Sweet baby boy born 8.18.12

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Trying for #2

    FET #1 - October '13 - c/p   l   FET #2 - December '13 - cancelled :(   l   FET #2.2 - 1.30.14 - BFN

    ~ More testing - hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy & more b/w - all normal / negative~

    Surprise BFP while waiting on FET #3 ~ beta #1 500; beta #2 1600; first u/s 4/3 - measuring 5w5d, no hb yet!; 2nd u/s 4/10 - hb 132, measuring 6w6d - EDD 11.29.14 :)    **TEAM GREEN!**

    Beautiful baby girl born 11.24.14

      Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

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  • Ruthie04Ruthie04 member
    I SAH, but mostly pumped. Have you tried a power hour (pump for 20, rest for 10, pump for 10, rest for 10, pump for 10)? Fenugreek never helped me, but I found a bit of success with oatmeal and a lot of success with a nightly power hour. I got the bulk of my pumped milk at that sitting and it helped with my overall supply. I did it after LOs were in bed for the night.

    Other than those things, the only thing that made a significant difference was adding extra pumping sessions. I second @ccam‌'s rec...can you pump on the way to work? I've never done it, but a few friends had luck.
    TTC in 2009, Dx: Unexplained IF
    Three TI cycles (BFP...miscarriage), five IUI attempts and 2.5 IVF cycles later...BFP!!
    12dp5dt: 765; 15dp5dt: 1979; 17dp5dt: 3379...TWINS!!!!!
    Our perfect baby boys were born at 36w1d!! 








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  • TJ1979TJ1979 member
    Does she nurse from both sides in the morning?  When I'm home, I pump one side while she nurses the other side for the first morning feed.  I usually get a good 5 oz. that way.  It takes a little practice to get the hang of pumping while nursing, but I get a great letdown and great output thanks to P being there.
    TTC with PCOS since November 2009
    IUI#1 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP, m/c
    IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
    IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
    beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
    beta #2 11/28 = 2055
    Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
    Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
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  • TJ1979TJ1979 member
    Also, what about 5 minutes here and there with a hand pump?  Some women get just as good, or even better results with a hand pump.
    TTC with PCOS since November 2009
    IUI#1 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP, m/c
    IUI#2 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 5-9) = BFN
    IUI#3 Femara/Ovidrel (cd 3-7) = BFP!
    beta #1 11/23 = 270, P4 = 75
    beta #2 11/28 = 2055
    Our daughter E was born 7/29/2012!
    Surprise, our 2nd daughter P was born 5/22/14!
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  • Cwhitaker27Cwhitaker27 member
    ccam said:

    Can you pump on your commute into work?

    Hmmm I guess I never thought about this because it's usually in the AM right after I feed DD, but yes I could, especially since it's a hour commute. I actually don't have a hands free bra but maybe I'll have to invest in one.
    Thanks for the idea!!
    image DS 7.6.2011 TTC#2
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  • Cwhitaker27Cwhitaker27 member
    Ruthie04 said:

    I SAH, but mostly pumped. Have you tried a power hour (pump for 20, rest for 10, pump for 10, rest for 10, pump for 10)? Fenugreek never helped me, but I found a bit of success with oatmeal and a lot of success with a nightly power hour. I got the bulk of my pumped milk at that sitting and it helped with my overall supply. I did it after LOs were in bed for the night.

    Other than those things, the only thing that made a significant difference was adding extra pumping sessions. I second @ccam‌'s rec...can you pump on the way to work? I've never done it, but a few friends had luck.

    I've heard of the power hour but haven't ever tried it! I usually try to pump before bed so I'll have to try this!

    As far as extra pumping sessions go... Should I pump if I only have like 5 mins but don't empty all the way? I was always confused about that.

    image DS 7.6.2011 TTC#2
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  • Cwhitaker27Cwhitaker27 member
    TJ1979 said:

    Also, what about 5 minutes here and there with a hand pump?  Some women get just as good, or even better results with a hand pump.

    I have never tried a hand pump! Guess I'd better go trolling the pump aisle at babies r us...for a hands free bra and hand pump.
    image DS 7.6.2011 TTC#2
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  • Cwhitaker27Cwhitaker27 member
    @TJ1979‌ unfortunately she's a piggy and always eats from both sides.
    image DS 7.6.2011 TTC#2
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  • Eve_AngeliqueEve_Angelique member
    I am in the same boat - but I don't get as much when I am away! Usually I only get 4 oz total from 2 pumping sessions. With my son I would get only like 2 oz total. My milk supply is total crap! But I am finding more success with taking GoLacta instead of Mother's Milk. So maybe you could try a different supplement for yourself too. 
    TTC since August 2009
    Clomid for 6 cycles starting August 2010- O but no BFP
    SA Septemeber 2010 Looking good 
    HSG September 2010 All clear 
    1st RE visit May 2011 - IUI#1 June 20, 2011: BFN
    IUI #2 July 31 2011: BFP - m/c @ 5w1d
    Surprise BFP on a break cycle 10/4/11, Due June 4, 2012, Born 6/9/2012
    TTC Blog
    TTC#2 : Cycles 1-3 Protocol 1500mg Metformin Daily, Femara + Ovidrel, Progresterone support 
    HSG#2 November 2013 All clear
    Cycle 4 Metformin, Femara, Bravelle, Ovidrel, Progesterone = BFP
    Little Lady Born 8/28/2014
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    "There is a design, an alignment, a cry of my heart to see, 
    the beauty of love as it was made to be"
    Mumford & Sons
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  • mcgeevamcgeeva member
    I can no longer keep up with my son's amount he drinks either since I have been back to work. I also never pump three times for when I am at work. Twice if I am lucky. So what I have been doing is pumping an extra time before I go to bed, and after my lo feeds in the morning so get a little extra milk and that seems to keep it going. Otherwise I def don't make 5 oz a feed like he eats either. 

    Married: 5/09 ~ TTC Since: 10/10 ~ PCOS ~ Progesterone from 10/10 - 2/11 ~ HSG on 3/18 - Clear ~ Started Metformin 1000mg & Clomid 50mg 2/11 ~ Metformin upped to 1500mg 4/6 ~ 6/7 Now going to SG and put on Clomid, Ovidrel, Gonal F, Prometrium, Estrace ~ IUI #1 7/2 = BFP!!!!!! March 6th our little man was born. 

    6/17/13 - Ovidrel, Follistim, Prometrium ~ IUI #1 7/2 = BFP! March 17th our St. Pattys day baby arrived

    10/29/17 - Started process for IVF, got pregnant & miscarried a 2nd time since summer. 2/22 started stims - Menopur, Gonal F, Cetrotide - retrieval 3/6 - , PIO, estrace 3xday - FET 4/18 = Beta 1: 616; Beta 2: 1342 = BFP 

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  • mdiblasi10mdiblasi10 member
    It's hard being a working mom that breastfeeds! Good for you for doing it :) I don't have any other ideas, besides the other suggestions. It's definitely about supply and demand, so the more you can pump, the better. 

    I hated pumping. I mean, really hated it. I had to force myself to get three sessions in each day because G started consuming quite a bit each day at daycare. I also tried to pump at home when I could as I began to go through my freezer stash so quickly. Why can't we have a year long maternity leave so we can just breastfeed our babies?!?! Sorry for the mini rant. I just really believe I would have never had to supplement if I could have EBF.
    Dx: Unexplained Infertility

    TTC #1 
    IUI's #1 - #3 Clomid = BFN's, IUI #4 Follistim = BFP
    Grayson arrived via emergency c-section on 7/28/12!

    TTC #2 
    IUI's #1 - #4 Follistim = BFN's
    IVF #1 w/ ICSI + PGS: Lupron/Follistim/Menopur
    ER 4/13 - 19R, 13F, 4 PGS tested embryos, 1 normal
    5/14 FET: BFP. Beta #1: 123, Beta #2: 327, Beta #3: 854
    Cora arrived 1/23/15 via RCS!
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  • CarrieB.CarrieB. member
    Try drinking more water and eating oatmeal every morning. That usually helped me. And try to be as relaxed as you can about pumping. Stressing about production always makes it worse.
    IVF, acupuncture, meditation and a miracle. 

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     Our sweet Valentine's Day FET.

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  • Mrs.AmyDylanMrs.AmyDylan member
    Drink a ton of water...like 150-200oz. 

    For the hand pump and 5 min. I think it is fine. Sometimes babies snack, so the boobs are cool with the variation.

    Have you tried putting your whole pumping section (from the hose detach) into a ziploc in the fridge at work? It saves time from constant washing, which might give you time for an extra work session. 

    Keep up the good work!!
    TTC Since 3/2010
    Me-36, Unexplained Infertility, DH-35, all clear
    Clomid 50mg 12/2011 = BFN
    Clomid 100mg 1/2012 = BFN, with Cyst
    IVF #1 Lupron/Menopur/Gonal-f/HCG Trigger
    ER 4/19/12 = 11 retrieved, 6 fertilized,
    ET 4/22/12 = 2 transfered (day 3), remaining 3 weren't good enough to freeze
    Beta 5/3 = BFP, 87 Beta #2 5/7 560.9 Beta #3 5/9 1376.5 First u/s One Baby, 125bpm!
    Second u/s, 176bmp! Kicked over to the OB by the RE at 8w. Team Green!! 
    Baby girl J arrived two weeks early! Born into water, med-free. Hooray for Team Pink!

    TTC #2 - back to the RE, treatment started 12/2014. 

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  • BabyKsMommyBabyKsMommy member
    edited November 2014
    I would def pump on the way to work. I pump in my car a lot because I'm exclusively pumping right now. You could power pump on your way to work. You might need a car adapter for your pump too.

    You might try asking your dr for reglan too. I've heard really good things about it increasing your supply. I hope Something works for you!
    Diagnosed MFI- low sperm count  
    DS-Born 7/27/11 After 2 years of IF we have our little man
    TTC#2 January 2013
    11 Medicated cycles gave us
    B/G Twins born 10/8/14 @ 32 weeks
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  • kaf7kaf7 member
    I only allowed LO to feed one side at 2am and pumped the other...I stopped after 10min because I had filled a bag (6oz) as it was 5-6h from the last feed. I then pumped 2x at work but it was never great - I always had a clogged duct. I did have a double pump and that helped. I also put my pump parts in a ziplock in the fridge so I only had to wash them when I got home from work. When I stopped bf to start DHEA again I had a bunch froZen and at first I wanted to get LO to 6m just on EBM but then I decided I was happier with him getting some EBM for longer so we decided he got one bottle of EBM a day and that lasted to about 8m. He would have it for a feed when I was home and I felt better about that. GL
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  • Cwhitaker27Cwhitaker27 member
    chiwifey said:

    I sucked at breast feeding (although i worked hard to make it work and it broke my heart when it didn't) and SAH home so I am no help but I wanted to say you all are amazing and so dedicated. After reading all of the tips you ladies shared, I know that if I am lucky enough to get pregnant again I'll have some great ladies here to support me through breast feeding if I encounter the same struggles. 


    Awesome job, mamas! 
    Seriously this! Thanks for all the tips ladies. At this particular moment I'm "pumped" about trying to boost my supply. But I know it'll get old. Until then I have lotsa things to try.
    image DS 7.6.2011 TTC#2
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