Breastmilk?

Question

Any suggestions on how to increase my milk supply? I pump but I don't have time (I work full-time and have three toddlers and a newborn) to pump as often as they say, is there anything else I can do? My baby was a preemie and I really would like to avoid putting her on formula for as long as possible. Any suggestions would be great!

Answer 1

try to massage them b4 and loosen them up

Answer 2

I know this is hard, but breast milk supply, is really just supply and damand. Without baby close by while pumping (or nuring) you are going to slowly decrease your supply and eventually dry out.

What you really need to do *like some said contact LLL* is breast feed and pump more often. Drinking water is also very important, and making sure you are still taking your prenatal vitamins. The most crutial thing is making sure your body knows this milk is still needed.

Hire some help so you can take the time to pump/feed often. Ask a friend to come by during the day. Pump when the toddlers are asleep (I hope they are still). Pump/feed when they are there, maybe pop a dvd in for 20 mins. You will eventually pump faster the more you pump. Pump after a bath, before and during the night (ick, I know, but this is very important). You can buy a bra that holds the pump in place, you at least you have two free hands even if you can run around. Explain to your children whats going on, and make them your little helpers! They might love getting you a glass of water (leave one or seven within reach), pillows etc. Anything to get them involved and not feel pushed aside.

Get oatmeal for breakfast, I had a nutritionist friend who swore by 2 bowls of the stuff per day to increase supply. She hated it and ate it all the time!

Your job must offer the time and place for you to pump, so take advantage of this.

Bring a photo of your baby (camera/video phones are very helpful here) and watch/look at it while pumping, this should help let down and increase supply better than looking at a blank wall. Think about recording your babies hungry cried and play this (again, mp3's are amazing for this) while you pump.

Try to relax when pumping, forget about work, kids, dinner etc. for a few minutes, you are doing something amazing for your child!

Good luck, make a call to LLL and keep it up!

Answer 3

Wow, you have a lot on your plate! It's great that you want to give your baby the best. Keeping well hydrated is important for maintaining your supply. When you pump at work, look at a picture of your baby, or bring in an outfit that she has worn that reminds you of her. This will help your milk let down. Heat will also help you when pumping. Wet a cloth in hot water and place it on your breast while you pump. Are you breastfeeding your baby directly when you are home? If so, encourage her to breastfeed often in the evenings, night and morning and on the weekends when you aren't at work. A baby breastfeeding is much more efficient than a pump at getting milk, so having her at the breast whenever possible will keep your supply up. If you are breastfeeding her at home, try pumping from the other breast while she nurses. This is often effective and if you can't pump as much as she eats in a day while you are at work it can help you keep ahead. Some people have a lot of success with mother's milk tea increasing their supply. It certainly won't hurt and will help you stay hydrated. Eating oatmeal may also increase your supply.

If you can't keep up with her appetite at some point you can look into milk banks or private milk sharing ( http://milkshare.birthingforlife.com/ ) if you are comfortable with the idea of using someone else's milk.

Good luck! Your baby is lucky that you are so dedicated.

Answer 4

I have been in the same boat as you. I am a mother of five with my last three being each a year apart. My fourth child was also a preemie but it was difficult to find the time to pump. My midwife suggested that I try an herb called Fenugreek to boost my supply. They sell it at the Natural Foods stores in capsule form, and it is in the tea called Mother's Milk. Although it has a funny side effect (makes you smell like maple syrup) I found that it really did help my supply. It is completely harmless to the baby. I also made sure I was drinking plenty of water. However, pumping and nursing my baby as soon as they would let me was the best way to keep up my supply. Good luck.

Answer 5

I hear what you are going through. I had a preemie too. I was able to pump for 9 mths and gave her just breastmilk. I was a little disheartened to hear a few answers where they say just pumping ain't gonna cut it and your milk will dry out. This isn't always so, it isn't the best way but sometimes moms can only pump. I was able to keep my supply going just fine until I got her to the breast 9 mths later.
What I made sure I did was keep plenty of fluids, avoid caffiene, took fenegruek and I drank nettle tea (or also known as mother's milk tea) if you infuse pure nettle it is better quality than the premade tea. I also ate lots of oatmeal and barley, which is sometimes known to help keep up milk supply. Avoid any of the spice sage, this can dry up your milk. I noticed on some days when I was stressed I pumped less, so trying to destress yourself is important. Also even if you can't breastfeed your baby, try to do some skin to skin contact at the breast. This can also help.

Answer 6

Nursing or pumping freqently is at the top of the list. If you can't do that more during the day, nurse as frequently as you can when you're with your baby. Consider co-sleeping so she can nurse during the night. If she doesn't nurse on both sides at a feeding, pump the other one to take advantage of your letdown. Have a weekend nurse-in: take your baby to bed with you and do nothing but nurse and relax for a couple of days.

Avoid any unnecessary separation. If you want to make your nursing relationship a priority, now is not a great time for time apart from your baby.

Happy nursing! Keep up the good work!

Answer 7

#1 MAKE TIME - Especially for a preemie it's crucial to make the time to get the milk. I know that's easier said than done...but you have to be consistant if you want a consistant milk supply.

#2 http://www.motherlove.com sells a supplement called "More Milk Plus" - it saved us. It's the best form of fenugreek out there and it works wonders. Make sure you get the alcohol free version...cause it has alcohol, obviously...but more importantly...it tastes like poison...avoid it if at all possible.

#3 Try to get some rest, I have found that if I am exhausted...my milk supply drops. Again, I know that's easier said than done...but also a must.

#4 Stay hydrated. If you get thirsty...you're already dehydrated. Drink drink drink to keep the raw ingredients readily available for your body to produce milk.

Good Luck!!

Answer 8

There is an herb called fenungeek or something like that. I have also heard that drinking 12 ounces of beer a day can help.

Rest, healthy diet with adequate calories and lots of water are crucial as well as nursing all you can. Are you making sure your protein content is up? You need protein to make milk.

One of the things I did was nurse on one side while pumping on the other (simultaneously). That worked like a charm for me with my little hand-held Avent pump, and it didn't take much more time (had to wash the pump afterwards, but I always pumped right into bags).

Answer 9

You need to actually nurse more. Just pumping will not keep up your milk. Eat healthy and drink lots of water.

Answer 10

Two things have worked for me: 1. Drinking fennel water (you boil the fennel in the water and then drink it -has a minty taste-); and 2. Take a daily pill of Plasil or some drops of pediatric Plasil daily. (The active component of Plasil (manufactured by Aventis, is metoclopramida). Ask your doctor before taking it, though.

Besides you should drink lots of water and have a balanced diet.

Good luck

Answer 11

Fenugreek and alfalfa supplements. 2 pills of each 2-3 times per day