Breatfeeding / Pumping at work...?

Question

I have a 3-month-old girl. I am breastfeeding and planning on doing it till she is at least 1 years old. I am fortunate that my boss lets me pump whenever I need. It has been 3 weeks I have been pumping 3 times a day. This week I tried pumping four times a day. I am almost out of all the milk supply that I saved for my daughter. I know I suppose to produce more as long as I pump/nurse more. However I am getting less and less. I used to pump 4-5 oz each time. Now I barely get 3 oz most of the time it is 2.5 oz. Anybody know why? And any suggestions about what to do?

I do not want to stop nursing or supplement with formula.

I use whittlestone. I think it is the best pump out there. I have been since she was 2 months old. I knew I was going to need extra milk and that my breast needs to get used to it. I pump at a private room. And I drink 3-4 liters of water a day.

Answer 1

Wow you and I must have been seperated at birth. I went through the same thing! I have an adorable 8 month old little girl, and when I came back to work (she was 3 months), I had already discussed with my boss that I was going to have to take breaks to pump. I refuse (still do) to supplement with formula or anything like that, until my daughter is a year old.

Here's some tips:
1) Pump in a relaxed place. I pump in my car because I don't want to have to worry about the loudness of my machine, or having to hurry because someone has to use the bathroom.
2) DRINK YOUR WATER! That is so important, you want to make sure your body has enough fluids in it to replace the fluids going out.
3) Buy the herbal pill FENUGREEK, you can get a big bottle 120 pills for like $13 at GNC or a nutritional store. It helped boost my milk supply greatly in the 2nd day of using it I went from pumping 3 oz to like 6 or so (on each breast)
4) RELAX when you're pumping, tensing up or stressing isn't going to help you to fill up that baby bottle.
5) There's also a herbal tea called Mothers Milk that I've heard of. From what I've gotten is that it works better than Fenugreek but I haven't tried it yet.
6) Breastfeed when you are home, the baby's suction should help increase your supply and you don't have to touch the milk you have stored up so far.

I'm with ya on this whole breastfeeding thing. I don't want to miss that bonding time that I have with my daughter. This is the one thing that Daddy can't do that Mommy can. Keep your chin up, relax.

Answer 2

You probably need to pump more often. The average woman needs to pump 3 times to get enough milk for 2 feedings. If you pump more often, you will have more milk.

If you aren't already, try pumping first thing in the morning before baby nurses the first time. That is the time of day when most mothers get most milk most easily.

Can you go to baby during your lunch break? If you nurse, you may save yourself a couple of pumpings. A nursing baby is *always* more effective than any pump.

If you aren't already, use a double pump (or two pumps). Pumping both breasts at the same time will give you *more* milk in half the time.

Try a more effective pump. If you aren't already using a hospital-grade rental pump, get one. It is the most effective type of pump. Again, be sure to get the double pumping kit.

Add an extra feedingin the morning, one in the evening, and one at night. If your baby is nursing more often, she *may* (no way to know except to try) need a little less during the day while you're gone.

Stress will *not* cause a decrease in milk production, although it *can* cause you to be able to get less out. If this is the problem, do some relaxation exercises for just 30-60 seconds before pumping; it can make a huge difference.

I hope this helps. Good luck!!

Answer 3

I had such a hard time pumping at work, I totally get it. I was so worried about doing it fast enough, what was going on in the office, etc. I would agree with the posters so far about relaxing, bringing pictures, drinking enough water. I also found that the Avent hand pump worked better for me than the electric spendy one.

Also, give yourself credit for what you are producing! 3 oz. is way more than I could ever get. I found my guys would just make up for it when I got home. They say that even if you end up having to supplement with formula, the benefits of the baby getting at least 50% breast milk are the same.

Answer 4

Where are you going to pump? Are you sticking yourself in a bathroom, where you feel like you've got to make an excuse anytime someone knocks on the door? If so, see if there's a better (more comfortable, natural) place for you to pump.

Your being uptight about being at work and having to pump might be affecting your output.

Make sure you're drinking enough, to production of breast milk takes liquid, and if you're dehydrated even a little it can SEVERELY reduce your milk supply.

Give yourself a minute before you pump to let everything go - the less stress the easier letdown will be and the more you will get!!! Think of the BEAUTIFUL baby you created and how much liquid gold you are getting ready to make for her!

Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

I had the same problem when I would pump. The reason is because the pump is not as good as your baby. I personally found that manual pumping (squeezing the nipples) works way better. They make a bowl type thing that catches the milk. It is faster, more comfortable and gets more milk. You also need to try to pump at home as well. Best of luck...it is so worth it! and by the way- great job!

Answer 6

You may not be able to nurse as long as you'd like, I was a cow, I was getting 10 oz every 2.5-3 hrs. and I never dried up, some women dry up whether they pump a lot or not. Sorry....

Answer 7

I love your question.
That is normal, do not worry. Stress is bad for the production.
Also, do not drink caffeine at all.

If you have to supplement is OK. The breastmilk is good for your baby, but most important is that the mother is happy.

I breastfed my two kids as long as I could.
First for 7 months and the second for 5 months.
I stopped because the production reduced gradually and my sons were growing so they needed more than I was producing.

Answer 8

the succling motion of a pump is so different from the baby. sometimes you may not letdown at all when pumping. I don't know how emotional you are, but I am...When I returned to work I took a photo album with like 20 really cute pics and would look at em alot while I pumped. For some reason it really helped with letdown. But sometimes it would make me cry cause I had to be at work and not with my baby, =)

Answer 9

i do the same thing but luckily my milk supply has stayed the same, when i get off work i make sure i breastfeed him so he is still stimulating my breast, you might try pumping every 2 hours our bodies work on supply and demand if you demand more your body will supply there is also ways to increase your milk supply with supplementation (ie fenugreek) is natural contact your local lactation specialist and they can tell you what supplements are best for your situation.

Answer 10

you need to pump more often your baby would naturally eat more than three times a day and you get less when you pump

you can also try herbal formulas to increase your milk supply fennel is a good one

if this still doesn't help contact a lactation consultant!!

don't give up