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April 2015 Moms
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Supply issues

RSupryRSupry member
edited May 2015 in April 2015 Moms
I wasn't able to breastfeed my first due to supply issues. There simply wasn't enough there. This time my supply started off stronger but has gone down. I let my baby feed from the breast as long as I can but my oldest is not quite 18 months old and I can only be stationary for so long. I also pump at least 3 times a day but and don't get much now. I'm taking supplements to help and drinking tons of water, just wondering if there is anything else I could be trying or if anyone else is having similar issues. This is my last baby so I really want to be able to make it work this time.
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Re: Supply issues

  • vbonittovbonitto member
    Milk usually comes in 4-5 days post partum. I had an issue with 1 breast and went to my doctor. My breasts were engorged and one of them seemed clogged up.

    I started massaging the clogged breast with a warm wet washcloth before pumping to help with the letdown. If you have an electric pump, (I have Medela pump in style double electric pump), it starts off with quick short pumps to mimic suckling and then about a minute later the pumps will be harder drawn out pumps. Re-start it a couple of times to have the quick short pumps for a longer time. This helps with bringing the milk out. Pump for 30 min every 2 hours. (i.e. 12pm, 2pm, 4pm...) IT will seem like you are always pumping but it should work after a couple of days. 

    I almost gave up because I thought I would never produce enough. After a few days, my supply started increasing. Now, I make plenty of milk after 3 weeks. I rarely pump now because she drains me but the other day I pumped 6.5 ounces in 15 minutes so I know she is getting enough milk. Good luck and let us know if it works!
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  • vbonittovbonitto member
    It will be difficult with an 18 month old but pump as long as you can every 2 hrs. Even if you don't make it to 30 minutes, it should help. You should see a difference in a couple of days.
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  • MommaBre2007MommaBre2007 member
    If shes on your breast and you are pumping after you might not be actually seeing how much you produce. Its like drinking water out of the bottle then powering the rest in a glass and expecting more.
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  • ashleyahuffashleyahuff member
    Just had my boy. Lactation consultant told me 15 minutes 8 times a day, not necessarily 2-3 hours apart.

    Also hot compress before, something cold after on the breasts. My milk came in 2-3 days.

    I'm finding at home now I'm running around and need to eat better and get more sleep and get back to the 8 times thing to keep production high. Good luck!
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  • RSupryRSupry member
    My son is three weeks old now. And after the first week I was getting 1.5 oz per pump after feeding him, now I only get about 1/2 oz whether I just fed him or not. I'm doing my best to stick with it and pumping as often as I can. I'm just getting very frustrated and discouraged.
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  • melao8melao8 member
    I just graduated from going to the lactation consultant did it for 4 weeks and it was a great experience. My son would get weighed every time completely naked before and after the feeding to see how much he was actually eating. They asked me to supplement with formula or the milk I pumped. He consistently gained were get every week. I have a reduced milk supply due to hypothyroidism but tried at their recommendation, malt drink: Malta Goya, chocolate candy "Whoppers", and now Fennugreek capsules. I can see my baby is content after a feeding and if he happens to still be hungry I supplement. I was also asked to do 10 feelings in 24 hrs and pump to increase supply. If you can find a FREE lactation clinic in your area I highly recommend it!!!
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  • gittybabygittybaby member
    Fenugreek (3 capsules, 3xs a day) works wonders for me. Also mothers milk tea.
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  • ccaudill0107ccaudill0107 member
    what you get when you pump is not what she is getting when she is feeding directly from your breast... It takes time for your body to get used to the breast pump. If she is sucking and her mouth is full and when she's done you can see milk in her mouth and she seems content then she is getting enough. Just try and stick with the pumping. What helps me when pumping is having something that smells like my LO and covering up the pumps so I can't see them also breast massage before and during pumping!!!
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  • xuxachixuxachi member
    Supplementing with formula (pp suggestion) seems like a bad idea since your supply is based on demand. By the same theory extra pumping should increase supply. I found that DS was having a hard time with one side and it was getting engorged, so spent a lot (ALOT!) of time massaging the breast before and during feedings and using a hot compress. Kellymom.com is a great resource as well for more ideas.
    DS born 10/25/11 **  DD born 6/24/13 **  DS born 4/20/15
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  • outtieouttie member
    I have this problem also, you might want to get your thyroid checked. it's been known to cause low milk supply
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