Breastfeeding mommies, I need help!!!?

Question

I went back to work this week, and am pumping milk to give to my 10 week old daughter. My problem is this...I can't let down! Or, I feel like I can't. Each time I pump, I'm only getting at MAX 2 ounces.

And, here's what I have tried to do to try to help... I have hadsilence, I turn on music, I stare at pictures of Eden (my daughter), I close my eyes and take deep breaths, I use one of her blankets to cover me, I have one of her washcloths that smells like her.... still...2 ounces or less.

I'm scared that if I can't get more out, I'm going to have to supplement with formula,and I know it's not the enemy, but I DON'T want to do that.

I just got my PIS Advanced (thank you again, SillyGirl), so I'm considering spending a weekend of round robin feeding and pumping to try to help my supply, but that's all I can think of.

Help help HELP

I try to relax, but it's hard watching the clock, because I have to get to one of my clients (I take care of mentally handicapped adults, and I have several clients I make house calls on daily).

Also, as for water intake...I was doing poorly, but yesterday I had tons, and today so far, I've had 2 and a half liters of water.

Sorry, PIS Advanced = Medela Pump In Style Advanced. I also have an Avent Isis that I was using.

Answer 1

Ok...Hydration is KEY...so drink obscene amounts of water...

Also drinking Mothers Milk Tea is helpful - Yogi Tea makes a version that is slightly less disgusting than some of the others I've tried. (online or any healthfood store)

And I know this is TMI...but uh...I pinch "them" a little before pumping...and take a deep breath and try to relax..

Also..If you try to hand express for a minute...that stimulates the let down too...

The first couple of days back at work were really stressful and I had trouble too...but once you get the hang of being topless in a conference room in your office...(lol) it gets a little easier...

Oh also, make sure that no matter where you are...you try to feed/pump at the same times everyday...that way your system learns the pattern and is ready to go when you start pumping/feeding.

Good Luck!!


OH oh oh - stop watching the clock if you can help it in the beginning here...book an appointment with yourself for a half an hour...and then just take your cell phone or whatever with you and set an alarm...so that you can be oblivious of the time until the alarm sounds...read a parenting magazine or just concentrate on baby...

And as far as the water..it usually takes me about a day or two for the water to show up in the milk...So be prepared to be engorged tomorrow...lol

Answer 2

Let me start by saying great job on breastfeeding! I have been nursing 6 months with no problems and I have been back to work for 2 1/2 months. Right now I am pumping between 7 to 8 ounces and my baby eats 7 or a little less at every feeding. I drink lots of water! I really don't drink anything else. I eat nice breakfast and I try to stay on the healthy side.

My questions for you are... Where are you pumping? This can change your comfort level and decrease your milk flow. (I pump in an office and will people not on the door it's like my milk gets scared!) Are you using a single or a double pump? How long have you been pumping? Do you intake a lot of liquids throughout your day?

My biggest suggestion to you is to relax and find a comfortable spot. Don't worry about your clients for those 15 minutes. That's your babies meal and she needs it!! Forget that you are pumping and do other things... I usually surf the net or read while pumping. Good Luck to you and congrats!

Answer 3

If you feel that your milk is not "letting down", try using a very warm, wet wash cloth on your breasts for a few minutes before you pump. It will help to soften them a little. Also, massage will help. from the top of your breasts down towards the nipples.
I know that this is difficult, but if you are really anxious abut the amount of milk you are getting when you pump, that could be affecting the let-down reflex.
If you are rushed or worried about getting back to your clients, that may be affecting you, also.
When you are at home, how often and for how long does your baby nurse? This is about the same time and frequency you will pump while you are at work.
Your bosses should accommodate your need for some "break time" so that you can pump.
And remember no matter how long you are able to breast feed, you have given your daughter the love and touch she needs so much. Every drop of breast milk she has had has benefited her. Loving her will not stop if she has to be bottle fed. You can cuddle and hold her close to you when feeding, just as you would if she were going to the breast.

Answer 4

I was in a panic because I was having similar problems my first week back and, I'm a teacher with 20 minutes MAX to pump, so I can undrestand watching the clock. Here's what has worked for me: I pump one bottle before work (I use a rubber band to attch the pump to my nursing bra) and some nights I pump one side while my son eats off of the other side (I do this if I haven't gotten enough during the day and I do some work when I pump during the day because I do better when I'm not so focused on the amount of milk. If it really isn't happening I try breast massage and compression. Finally, I try to pump a bottle on Saturday and Sunday in case I can't keep up for a couple of days.

I will tell you that they say your breasts need to be trained to pump and it did get easier for me after a couple of weeks! Once I accepted that the world would not end if my son ate into my backup supply or even had to take a few formula feedings, I got more milk. Good luck!

Answer 5

Funny, I just jumped on the computer while I was pumping and saw your question! Anyways, what works for me is 2 things. First off, I sometimes think my milk lets down the quickest when i am NOT thinking about my son and my milk letting down! I know it sounds contrary to everything you've heard, but this always surprised me. I would stash one of those trashy celeb magazines (like US weekly) in my pump case, so once I was "hooked up" I would just start flipping through the mags and almost ignore that my breasts were being pumped. Before I knew it, my milk let down and I was finally getting somewhere.

Secondly, I can get the first 2-3 oz out fine, just like you, but i only get the rest when I compress. And I mean REALLY compress. I was too timid the first 4 months of BF to really squeeze my breasts, not sure why but I was. Now, I really mash down on all the different portions of my breast and can really see the milk coming out much heavier as I pump. I have the Medela pump in Style, been pumping for a year, and it's been my experience that distraction and compression are the keys to getting those extra few ounces. Good Luck! And great job Momma!!

Answer 6

This is a common problem for breastfeeding working mommies. I had the same problem. Best thing to do is relax keep bringing in pictures of Eden, stuff that smells just like her. Also what kind of pump are you using? If it is not a electric pump maybe that is why you are getting so little. I highly recomend Medela Pump and Go. Make sure it is a double pump. Check out more stuff on the internet, like the Laleche league. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

That happened to me around 4 months old. I was freaking out because I was fraid I woud have to supplement o I started my baby on foods along with my milk. Becaus eI was stressing my milk was depleting. our body knowswhats up. Since I started to relax while starting foods my milk came back full force within about two weeks. I also during this time continued to have him try latching at least every 2 hours until milk came back. The babys natural suckng is different then a pump. The baby gets one more once then what you pump anyways. My baby only drinks 3 oz every three-four hours andsleeps all night.

Answer 8

Do you have a tape recorder? Or can you record stuff on your cell phone?

Tape her crying and that should help you letdown.

Some women just really dont produce much by pumping (im one of them!) Have you played with the pump settings?

Is there anyway to go home for lunch?

my other thought is to pump while shes nursing and build your supply that way.

You may want to ask at the pumping forum on kellymom.com...
Also myspace, if you have that, has a pumping moms group... do a search in groups for 'pump moms'.

Goodluck!

ETA:
OPPS! that was supposed to be a thumbs up, mystic... i do better with hand expression too.

Answer 9

I hear you! I just went back to work and can only get 4 oz about every 4 hours. This isn't enough for my little piggie who eats 6 oz every 3-4 hrs. I can't pump more often because I am super busy at work and work 12 hr shifts. My sitter had to mix 4 oz EBM with 2 oz formula- not top choice but what can you do?!? Good luck!!! :)

Answer 10

I have never understood what playing music does to help your milk come in, lol, but anyway... I know it sounds obvious but all I ever do is just THINK about feeding my baby, and my milk lets down. All I usually get is 2 oz. from each side, and I never had to supplement. (my first son was exclusively breastfed for nine months, and I went back to work when he was 6 wks old)