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Pumping at work - supply dropping

amfasseamfasse member
in Breastfeeding
I need some help! I started back to work on 10/19 part time 7-11 and pumped once at 9am. I got 5oz everytime I pumped for the past 2 weeks. Monday I started back fulltime 7-3:30 and am pumping 3 times (8, 11, and 2). I nurse the baby at 5am before work. Monday I got 4 1/2oz, just under 3 and then 2. Yesterday I got 3, 2, and 2. Today so far I've pumped once and only got 3 again. The baby is eating 2 5oz bottles while I'm at work so I need to pump at least 10oz to keep up but its just not going well. I tried pumping last night after nursing and only managed 1 1/2oz. Before getting back to work I would pump in the evenings and typically got 3oz. I don't know what to do. I drink a LOT of water - somewhere around 96-120oz a day. I eat oatmeal in the mornings and have a slew of healthy snacks at my desk that I munch on (protein bars with oats and blueberry and nuts). I've noticed that the baby is getting fussing while nursing which has me concerned she isn't getting enough. I had to stop nursing a month after going back to work with my son because I just couldn't get enough to cover one feeding a day. He was supplemented from day 1 though so there were lots of complications. I have been EBF DD and seriously do not want to have to supplement. I relax while I'm pumping, we have a nice quiet room with a lamp and adjustable heat. I keep pictures and videos of her handy. I massage and squeeze every drop of milk out that I can. Nothing seems to help! I'm trying hard to not stress about this but its very discouraging. I've heard lots of negatives about fenugreek so I'm not wanting to go that route if I can avoid it but ANY suggestions for increasing and maintaining my supply while pumping at work would be soooo appreciated!!
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Re: Pumping at work - supply dropping

  • tracij12tracij12 member
    Sorry to hear this. Same thing happened to me with DD1 and I'm already dressing about going back and I have 2 more months :( hope some other ladies have some suggestions!!
    Married DH 08.28.10
    Pregnancy #1: BFP 04.10.11 EDD 12.23.11 DD1 Born 12.4.11
     Pregnancy #2: BFP 5.12.14 MC 5.20.14 @ 5wk4d
    Pregnancy #3: BFP 11.1.14 EDD 7.5.15 MC 11.13.14 @ 6wk4d
    Pregnancy #4: BFP 1.31.15 EDD 10.5.15 DD2 Born 9.23.15
     
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  • krissyberbkrissyberb member
    My LC said it was normal for supply to dip when going back to work but it should come back. I don't know what your child care situation is, but if at all possible have someone bring the baby to you to nurse on your lunch or go to your baby. My husband brought my LO to me for my first couple weeks back and it helped tremendously.
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  • Cook3133Cook3133 member
    I used milk thistle and fenugreek and never had any negative issues. It's been a few years since I was a pumping working mom but I do remember my supply going down and I talked to my sons pediatrician. He prescribed me a medication that one of the side effects was increased milk supply. There was a negative side effect to that I had to weigh in when deciding to take it and luckily it never happened (it was a tongue twitch). I went from 3oz to 8oz on just one side! This was about 5 years ago so not sure if it's still avsilable.

    There are also cookies you can make, Brewers yeast, other herbal supplements you can get, dark (?) beers, I googled a lot with my 3rd son when we had BF issues but I was too late.
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