Let's just start from the beginning...
DD is born, 7lbs 9 1/2 ozs, beautiful, healthy, perfect latch. Milk comes in before I leave the hospital, sore nipples but we push through. I love breastfeeding. First few days of being home I deal with a little bit of engorgement, think momentarily about breaking out my pump (now I wish I had) I use the excuse "what if she wakes up and is hungry right after I pump and there's nothing left?" Now here we are 7 months later and I'm considering throwing in the towel, as much as it pains me to say. Back to work full time, pump during the day, nurse at night. I pump 4 times a day every two hours and then I have to pump while nursing at night just to make enough to get through the next work day. DD feeds three times a day while I'm at work 3 ozs each, then every two hours pretty much around the clock after, I obviously have no way of knowing how much she gets "from the tap" but she always seems satisfied after. My pumping sessions usually yield 1 1/2 ozs very rarely 2, so on a day where I only get 1 1/2 each time I have to go home and make up another 3 for the next day. I'm popping fenugreek like candy, pumping more than anyone I know and I still cannot get an increase in my supply. I haven't even had to wearing nursing pads since LO was probably about 3 months, I used to get engorged just from the slightest little touch, now it takes 5 minutes of pumping before I have a letdown. I want to get back to those first months, I want a BM stash in my freezer, I would much rather be painfully engorged than counting every 1/4 oz. Am I doing something wrong? I am literally willing to try anything, I was so hoping to make it to a full year at least breastfeeding. It's hard work now, just scraping by each day by the skin of my teeth and I am willing to continue but I question myself everyday, if I should just give up or at least start supplementing, it would definitely be a stress reliever (not that i'm letting this situation get me too stressed, cause I know that's bad for my supply) Or if there is still some hope that I can get that supply up, again I'm willing to try anything, it's that important to me.
Sorry for the long post! I just don't want to leave anything out! I should add DD has started solids 3 times a day.
Re: Should I give up breastfeeding? Do I have any other options?
But some practical tips that might help:
-Make sure you're getting enough food & water. Sometimes eating more can help supply
-lack of sleep might be hurting your supply. Sorry, can't help there, but I completely sympathize.
-pumping that frequently at work might not be doing much good. You might get as much with pumps 3-4 hours apart. I thought that sounded crazy when I first heard it, but it turned out to be true for me. By 7 months, your supply is pretty well regulated.
-Relax as much as possible while pumping, close your eyes, don't watch the bottles, breathe deeply
-Try breast compressions while pumping
-Stronger suction settings on the pump aren't always better; less suction might actually yield more milk; (this actually wasn't true for me, but is worth a try)
-Replace the membranes on the pump
-if/when pumping at home, try pumping in the AM, rather than PM; you tend to produce the most milk in the morning. (And fattier milk at night)
Good luck & as difficult as this is, relish the amount of control you have now. When she's two, she may decided to eat only dirt & specifically shaped chicken nuggets. For that, I have no advise but am open to suggestions
I would try power pumping on the weekend and see what happens. I never tried to build my supply back up and I wish I had.
PS formula is expensive!