Breast pumping after 6 weeks?

Question

I didnt breastfeedc initially because I had a c-section and was on narcotic pain meds and didnt have a breast pump. I went out and bought a breast pump the other day to try to get my milk going again. I dont think I dried up completely because when I squeese my nipples, little milk comes out still, so I think there is some hope. How long do I have to wait or how much pumping do you think I should do to get my milk REALLY going again. Is there something that i'm doing wrong? Baby is out of the question, she REFUSED to get on the tit, and I prefer to pump so daddy wont feel left out in the feedings.

Answer 1

You should be pumping about every 2 hours. The more you pump, the more you'll make.

Do breast massage and maybe apply heat before pumping. Look at/think about your baby while you're pumping. This may help you let down better. If the flow of milk slows or stops, take off the horns and reposition them on your breasts. Sometimes you can get a second letdown this way. Never pump more than 20 minutes in a session. More frequent pumping/nursing is more effective at boosting supply than longer sessions.

Make sure you are getting plenty of fluids.

What kind of pump are you using? A good double electric such as Medela?

Consider herbal supplements such as fenugreek and/or blessed thistle.

Consider contacting a lactation consultant or a LLL Leader for help recovering your supply.

ETA:
If you didn't nurse or pump for 6 full weeks, it could take up to 6 full weeks for you to see a full supply. You should see some results within about 4 days of increased pumping though.

Answer 2

I'd go to a lactation specialist or store and get a hospital grade pump to use because those are the next best thing to use after your baby of course.
I had to go back to work not even a full two weeks after having my first baby because we didn't have any other income coming in if I didn't. Because of that right away after leaving the hospital I rented one of those hospital grade pumps from a lactation store and got advice from the lady who owned the store(she was a lactation specialist before openning her own store) on which herb supplements to take to keep my milk flowing just like it would if I wasn't using the pump and she also advised me to pump at least 15 mins every two hours and if I could do more that 15mins that would be great too. Luckily my job was very understanding so they let me have 20 for break every two hours(they were so great about everything...so many women that year at my job were having babies that they put in a special lounge room for the moms who had to pump and it also had a fridge with the label for New Mommies Only so that only the breast milk could be stored there if we wanted). I stopped nursing my baby because I knew I'd be working so many hours (60-80 hrs weekly sometimes more) to get her use to the bottle. My husband stayed home and took care of our little angel and gave her my milk that I had pumped for her in the bottle.
Because she was taken off the breast so very early, she didn't fuss at all for it, in fact when I would be with her and trying to offer her the breast she would cry because she wanted the milk only from the bottle.
We gave her breast milk for a little over a year this way...so it is possible to keep your milk going this way!!!

Answer 3

Talk to a lactation specialist. They may have one at the hospital where you delivered. Also, try to rent a pump from the hospital at first--they have a better grade of pump that can get your milk going faster. Most of the ones you buy in the store nowadays are for pumping while at work, not for exclusive pumping. When I tried pumping exclusively with pump I bought, my milk supply diminished.

I've heard from some exclusive pumpers that they had to pump every two to three hours every day, all day. That is regardless to whether baby is sleeping through the night. Since baby was not nursing at all, their milk started to dry up so they had to set an alarm every three hours in the night to get up and pump.

DO try to get your baby on the breast--at least for a little while each day. It will help your milk production and if you don't think she's getting enough food, you can feed formula. You can use "nursing trainers" as well. They are little bags with tubes that kind of look like IV bags. You fill the bag with formula and attach the tube to the side of your breast, right next to the nipple. That way, when baby is nursing at the breast, she learns that the food comes from their--whether or not she's actually getting anything but formula--and it will sometimes help get your milk going again.

There's lots of good info on the La Leche League website. Good Luck!

www.lalecheleague.org

Answer 4

Do talk to your lactation specialist. There are teas and herbs out there that are supposed to increase milk production.

I took fenugreek after a bout with mastitis, and it worked very well. There has been some peer-reviewed research that shows that it increases milk production. You should take 2 capsules 3 times a day, and if that doesn't work, you can increase to 3 capsules 3 times a day (these are standard-dose, 500 mcg capsules). The dosage is right when your sweat smells like maple syrup (I'm not kidding; fenugreek is used to flavor artificial maple syrup).

Fenugreek is very safe and effective, but I'd still consult a lactation specialist before trying it.

Also, whether you use herbal treatments or not, you need to pump regularly ... fenugreek won't replace manual stimulation.

Answer 5

It wil come back,give it at least 4 days,try really hard to pump every 2 to 3 hours and drink alot of water and eat well too.They more you drink the better you eat,the more you pump you will get lots of milk!! I did this same thing and I thought it was hope less but after a few days of not stop pumping I was a milk machine!! LOL!!So good luck to you,make yourself drink at least one bottle of water everytime you pump,this will help you remember!I have been there,its not alot of fun and very time consuming but you are doing an amazing job and giving your baby the best you can!!Good on you!

Answer 6

I would think you should pump every two hours, at least. It isn't impossible to get your breasts to start producing, but it might take awhile.

Ask your doctor about the herbs you can take to increase milk production.

Also, you can get baby to take the nipple, but it is hard work, and will take awhile. Your hospital can help you with this, if you're interested.