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April 2015 Moms
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Boosting milk supply

soperbbysoperbby member
in April 2015 Moms
im going back to work next week and am struggling to pump milk. I literally only get an ounce maybe 2 each time I pump. Any tips to help my supply? I really don't want to start formula yet, I feel like I'm failing at breastfeeding if I do. (LO is 12 weeks.)
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Re: Boosting milk supply

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  • kendraike1kendraike1 member
    I've heard that one or two non alcoholic beers a week will help increase milk supply. There are also lactation teas and cookies you can buy
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  • sexygaly27sexygaly27 member
    Drink a lot of water and eat healthy that will help you.
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  • nelbell1184nelbell1184 member
    When are you pumping? An ounce to two ounces is not abnormal for pumping. You're doing great!
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  • jenniferaudrey0116jenniferaudrey0116 member
    nelbell1184 said:

    When are you pumping? An ounce to two ounces is not abnormal for pumping. You're doing great!

    I agree with this. The times when I pump more than this amount are 3-5 hours after baby hadn't eaten /when asleep or after a shower. The most I would pump at a time would be a feeding 2-3 oz (total not each breast). Do this once a day for 7 days and you'll have a supply for almost 24 hours.
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  • ccaudill0107ccaudill0107 member
    Also early-morning pumps and middle of the night pumps seem to be the most productive for me other than that 1-2 ounces is pretty good
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  • thesuebthesueb member
    A lactation consultant can help with advice with the pump. You might have the wrong size flange. Most people don't fit the small sizes that come with your pump. They can also suggest good supplements. The hospital where you delivered and your ped should have consultants on staff and it most likely is covered by insurance.

    I know it's may not be ideal to you to need to supplement with formula, but any breast milk is good, even if you do end up adding formula too!

    I never have luck with the pump, but working with a consultant really helped!
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  • Becky2907Becky2907 member
    Not sure if you've tried a manual pump, but I always seem to get more with it. One thing that helped me build a small freezer stash was pumping in the middle of the night (manual) from the side he didn't eat and finishing the side he did since he normally sleeps about 5-6 hours in the first stretch of the night. I almost always get 3-5 ozs this way which makes a bottle to use or store.

    I agree with pp that any breastmilk is better than none so supplementing isn't always a bad thing. Once I go back every day I may need to do the same thing to keep up. Good luck!!
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  • Becky2907Becky2907 member
    Also I keep my manual pump in the refrigerator in a freezer bad or sealed with paper towel so I don't have to clean in the middle of the night. I wash and sterilize once per day.
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  • Mari621Mari621 member
    I'm just snooping from the May group. I go back to work on the 21st and started a stash. I've been taking fenugreek 3 caps 2-3x's a day, drink the tea from time to time and been eating oatmeal with flax seed meal for breakfast. Those things worked ok but last Friday I tried acupuncture. I would pump 1-2 ounces on each side. Now I'm doing 3-4 oz. I'm still doing the supplements also. The acupuncture wasn't painful I just felt pressure and some tingling...almost like vibrations in my feet. I also felt something almost like a let down during the session. It was my first time and I figured I would try it out since my insurance covered it. 

    I also pump after he eats sometimes regardless if he did or didn't eat from that breast. Every ounce counts! It also helps build up your supply also.

    Beer helps b.c of the hops and brewer's yeast. If you don't want to drink beer they sell brewer's yeast tablets.

    I have an older son and my nanny would split the breast milk up also. She would do half breast milk and half formula to help stretch the stash. They can eat the breast milk first so it doesn't go to waste then do formula to top them off. That is an option till you build a good freezer stash up.
    Pregnancy Ticker
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  • luciixoluciixo member
    Not sure if you're willing to take some supplements but I've been taking more milk plus by mother love and it seems to help me a lot. I used to pump 1-2 ounces after each feeding and now I can get double or more.
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  • brncntry316brncntry316 member
    I've always gotten a solid 3-4 ounces from each side before I went back to work.  I would always wait an hour after he ate first thing in the morning and then pump.  I built up a good freezer supply doing this once a day.  Now that I'm back to work, I pump 3 times a day at work about 2.5-3 hours apart.  I usually get 9-10 oz first thing in the morning, 7-8 ounces midday, and 5-6 ounces in the afternoon.  I always eat oatmeal in the morning too and I take postnatal vitamins.  I think the key is letting your supply have time to build up after he eats and eating healthy/drinking lots of water.  I have a sign on the office door when I pump that says "Milking Parlor - please do not disturb" =) lol
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  • HollyHK84HollyHK84 member
    Try fenugreek And the cheap manual evenflo pump from Walmart. I have the electric Medela but I swear the cheap evenflo is better. I pump 16oz twice a day.
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  • BabyIxolibBabyIxolib member
    I went back to work last month and used fenugreek AND Go-Lacta. Go lacta had a huge impact! Just make sure you get the pills the packet that you mix with water taste like dried grass:p
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