I have a almost 4 mo. old I excluessvely BF only. He's gaining weight adn growning just fine so i'm not really worries about my supply when I'm feeding him, but I'm going back to work VERY part timeon tuesday I'll only be working 2 days a week and it's 3rd shift, but I'm going to continue to only BF for the 1st year at least, however when I'm pumping I'm not getting all that much, i'm using a medela pump in style an dI'm only getting about 3 oz. MAX. and that's not consistant I get at least 1 oz. at each session i'm just wondering how I can increase my pumping sessions, I don't want to take any supplements and I've been eating oatmeal and I'm nursing every 2 hours and pumping in between for the last 5 days? HELP please!
2006-12-30 09:19:47 · 15 answers · asked by nicole b 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
First relax! Make it a habit to pump every morning. Feed the baby then pump. For the days your not working you'll be able to put that milk in the freezer as a "stash". Don't look while your pumping, relax, keep yourself distracted. Use warmth before pumping & massage. Pump 10 minutes take a 5 minute break then pump another 5-10 minutes. Hopefully getting another let down. Keep in mind 3 1/2 oz total is normal especially if your exclusively bf throughout the day. Right now while your home you can pump 5-10 minutes after bf to boost the supply. Hang in there!
2006-12-30 10:09:04 · answer #1 · answered by Jenn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Remember, a pump is nowhere as efficient as a baby. Some things that helped me were
1. Looking at a picture of my baby while I pumped. It really made a difference
2. Drink a huge glass of water about 15 min before you pump.
3. Don't wait until you're engorged to pump, you'll actually end up producing less.
4. At work, pump more often, not longer.
Good luck, and good for you for keeping up the nursing while working!
2006-12-30 15:44:28 · answer #2 · answered by Kirsten K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Hated my PIS and never got more than on ounce at each pumping. When I had to work, and be away from my four month-old part time, I used an Avent Isis (I was outdoors and had to pump in my car.) I actually got more milk with the Isis. Also, pumping while you nurse the baby on the other side helps, because you get the benefit of natural let down.
Eating oatmeal and taking fenugreek help too. Also, pump at least once every 4 hours while at work.
2006-12-30 10:47:33 · answer #3 · answered by Terrible Threes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At most hospitals they have incredible pumps you can rent or use for free. I did this when my baby was in the NICU. I couldn't believe how much milk I got in such a short amount of time. To increase my milk , I would only feed the baby on one side and pump the other. At first, you may need to supplement with a bottle of breast milk until your body adjust. Best of luck to you.
2006-12-30 09:28:34 · answer #4 · answered by bibliobethica 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are doing too much. If you were too feed your baby that much you would lose alot of your milk. I know it sounds weird but its the truth. What you need to do is feed the baby when you can, but when you don't feed the baby is when you need to pump. If you don't pump at that time you'll lose it and if you do too often you will too. Get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of water. When you go to pump take a nice big glass of with ya and drink it. It helps. Also try reading the book "Baby Wise" it will tell you all about it. Good luck!
2006-12-30 09:43:22 · answer #5 · answered by blonde 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had 3 kids and i breastfeed all of them. A old lady from my country told me that drinking plenty of water was the only way to supply my body with more fuel for the next round.That and taking your prenatal,plus a balance meal will help you to be ready for the pump. Also try don't stress out it will decrease your milk. Good luck to you and don't give up!!!
(By the way I am from Venezuela)
2006-12-30 09:51:49 · answer #6 · answered by Douglas H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a medication out there that when a woman takes it they get a side effect of lactating....it can help increase or help the mom initially get breast milk. There is also a vitamin (can't remember which) where it help increases breast milk. I would contact your doctors office or the lactation nurse for his office and ask for assitance...additionally, if you pump when your not feeding that also may increase how much milk your giving out.
2006-12-30 23:33:53 · answer #7 · answered by ShannonMargaret 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to pump more often, so your body gets used to producing more milk. After your baby eats, get out your pump and keep pumping till there's nothing left. And if you feel full again and hour later and your baby isn't hungry, pump again. You can freeze breast milk to use later, so don't just dump it out. This should help your body make more milk.
2006-12-30 09:33:23 · answer #8 · answered by ErinRae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is going to sound so crazy to you but its true for me at least when i had my daughter i couldnt breast feed her due to medicine i had to be on during and after the complications i had during her birth but my breasts killed me so i noticed the only thing that helped was to take a hot shower well to my suprise milk would pour and i would fill back up after the shower so i would say take a hot shower and try to pump it. They also tell people that are trying to dry up the milk after having a baby not to take a hot shower (stupid me) because it would not allow me to dry up so all i can say is you can try it and it might work good luck best wishes .
2006-12-30 11:35:44 · answer #9 · answered by nuzzihuzzi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want to take supplements the only thing you can do is nurse/pump more frequently.
2006-12-30 10:19:49 · answer #10 · answered by gspmommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋