speaking of pumping

smilelari

Almost 2 months back to work and my supply is gradually decreasing. I have a size-able freezer stash and am still covering her daily needs, but still.  I feel like if I don't worry about it now, it will just keep going down and at some point it will be an issue.  Baby girl eats 3-4 4 oz bottles at daycare (so 12-16 oz).  I used to easily pump 24 oz in 3 sessions.  Now I'm down to pumping 15-16 oz in 4 sessions.  Any advice on keeping it from dipping any further?

ckolak

No advice other than the usual - water, mother's milk tea, lactation cookies, add an extra pumping session...

GL! 

schoolsoutbride

I've never had to keep up with pumping, so take this with a grain of salt. I'm not sure my body would do it since it doesn't respond well to the pump.  I've heard this works well, though and thought I'd pass it on:

http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html 

CaseBride

I'm sure you've seen the Kelly Mom links about pumping, but just in case - http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Also here is a blog I found recently. I know this mom is on the AP board on the bump. This is a recent post from her about what worked for her (not suggesting you have to go that route, but always nice to get some perspective) - http://www.themaidenmetallurgist.com/2012/02/20/breastfeeding-my-10-5-month-old/

ruby soho

I would add a morning pump, that's where I get the most output 

smilelari

ruby soho:

I would add a morning pump, that's where I get the most output 

that's when my new 4th session is.  I should probably move it earlier though.  I pump at 7:40-ish after DH carts the kids off to daycare.  I used to get 8-9 oz.  Today I got 5.  Poop.

smilelari

CaseBride:

I'm sure you've seen the Kelly Mom links about pumping, but just in case - http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Also here is a blog I found recently. I know this mom is on the AP board on the bump. This is a recent post from her about what worked for her (not suggesting you have to go that route, but always nice to get some perspective) - http://www.themaidenmetallurgist.com/2012/02/20/breastfeeding-my-10-5-month-old/

That was very helpful and I definitely relate to it having been down this road before.  I even chatted with my midwife while still pregnant about fearing supply issues and she indicated that prescriptions were 1 possible route.  The thought hadn't even crossed my mind (yet) to pursue that, but it's always an option

CheriCO

What things are you already doing to help production?  Do you think it's just a supply issue and not a lack of letdown issue? 

Here's what I'm doing:
oatmeal for breakfast every morning
lactation cookies (I eat one during 3 of my 4 pumping sessions)
Mother's Milk tea (I drink a cup after 2 pumping sessions)
nipple cream before pumping (I like Motherlove)

I seem to notice the biggest difference from the tea.  Other things in my bag of tricks to try if my supply wanes (so far I'm getting a little more than he eats each day from 4 sessions):
more milk plus caps
placenta caps (I know this isn't an option for many women...)
rescue remedy (to help calm you to get a letdown)
add flax & brewer's yeast to my morning oatmeal
audio of baby crying a hungry cry
more pumping sessions
Gaia lactate support (see blog post)
continue pumping for a few minutes after milk stops flowing (I sometimes do this just because I'm not ready to go back to work yet and occasionally, I'll get another letdown)

Mrs.Greeko

smilelari:

CaseBride:

I'm sure you've seen the Kelly Mom links about pumping, but just in case - http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Also here is a blog I found recently. I know this mom is on the AP board on the bump. This is a recent post from her about what worked for her (not suggesting you have to go that route, but always nice to get some perspective) - http://www.themaidenmetallurgist.com/2012/02/20/breastfeeding-my-10-5-month-old/

That was very helpful and I definitely relate to it having been down this road before.  I even chatted with my midwife while still pregnant about fearing supply issues and she indicated that prescriptions were 1 possible route.  The thought hadn't even crossed my mind (yet) to pursue that, but it's always an option

 I didn't read the link, but since you mentioned prescriptions I figured I'd chime in that I took domperidone with Lucy in case you go down that road.  Thing is you are still keeping up with her so that's all that matters right now.  . You might not extra, but all you really need is enough for the next day so don't worry yet.  In a couple of months you will add solids and her milk intake will start to go down and you will be on the home stretch. 

smilelari

CheriCO:

What things are you already doing to help production?  Do you think it's just a supply issue and not a lack of letdown issue? 

Here's what I'm doing:
oatmeal for breakfast every morning
lactation cookies (I eat one during 3 of my 4 pumping sessions)
Mother's Milk tea (I drink a cup after 2 pumping sessions)
nipple cream before pumping (I like Motherlove)

I seem to notice the biggest difference from the tea.  Other things in my bag of tricks to try if my supply wanes (so far I'm getting a little more than he eats each day from 4 sessions):
more milk plus caps
placenta caps (I know this isn't an option for many women...)
rescue remedy (to help calm you to get a letdown)
add flax & brewer's yeast to my morning oatmeal
audio of baby crying a hungry cry
more pumping sessions
Gaia lactate support (see blog post)
continue pumping for a few minutes after milk stops flowing (I sometimes do this just because I'm not ready to go back to work yet and occasionally, I'll get another letdown)

I'm not doing the tea.  Didn't seem to help last time.  I am taking More Milk Special Blend (6 capsules per day) and drinking tons of water.  I also usually pump long enough to get a second (or third) letdown.  Wow.  I remember doing all this stuff last time and was really hoping if I kept her nursing evenings and weekends that I wouldn't have to work so hard. I do eat oatmeal but not religiously, just when it sounds good.  I sometimes throw oatmeal and flax into a morning smoothie.

It's not a supply issue, per se.  It's a not responding so well to the pump issue, I believe.  

 

smilelari

Mrs.Greeko:

smilelari:

CaseBride:

I'm sure you've seen the Kelly Mom links about pumping, but just in case - http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Also here is a blog I found recently. I know this mom is on the AP board on the bump. This is a recent post from her about what worked for her (not suggesting you have to go that route, but always nice to get some perspective) - http://www.themaidenmetallurgist.com/2012/02/20/breastfeeding-my-10-5-month-old/

That was very helpful and I definitely relate to it having been down this road before.  I even chatted with my midwife while still pregnant about fearing supply issues and she indicated that prescriptions were 1 possible route.  The thought hadn't even crossed my mind (yet) to pursue that, but it's always an option

 I didn't read the link, but since you mentioned prescriptions I figured I'd chime in that I took domperidone with Lucy in case you go down that road.  Thing is you are still keeping up with her so that's all that matters right now.  . You might not extra, but all you really need is enough for the next day so don't worry yet.  In a couple of months you will add solids and her milk intake will start to go down and you will be on the home stretch. 

Gavin's intake didn't go down when we introduced solids (and I EPed, so I know exactly how much he ate every day).  Maybe he's just an anomaly.

CheriCO

I'm not sure if this would help or make a difference for you, but what I've been doing is getting up a little earlier to pump.  So I set my alarm for 5:30 and offer to feed Tyler if he hasn't just eaten in the past 30min or so.  Then I get up around 5:45am and pump.  I feed him again around 7:15 or so before we leave for the day.  I have about a 45min commute, so I pump on the way home, also.  It totally sucks, but it saves me from having to work late to make up for more pumping time.  I'm hoping once things settle a little (my supply has dipped a little because Tyler has been sick and not eating as much) that I'll be able to pump what he needs for the day in my first 3 sessions so I can drop the car pumping.

CheriCO

Yeah, I'm worried the same thing is/will happen to me.  Like I said, my supply is a little lower this week, but I'm attributing it to Ty's congestion/cold making him not eat as much and signaling my body to not make as much.  When I pumped this morning though, I could tell my left breast still had milk in it but I haven't figured out how to get it out.  Massage doesn't seem to help, rescue remedy doesn't seem to help.  If I had the time to sit there on the pump, I would eventually get another letdown, but I can't pump for an hour at work.  It's so frustrating.

ckolak

One thing I just remembered: I don't respond well to the pump when I have to use solid/ hard plastic flanges. I have some of the soft-fit breast shields (medela) and that not only makes pumping more comfortable but I get more milk when I use them than when I have to use my backups (hard plastic ones). You can't microwave sterilize them. I highly recommend them. I am thinking about replacing mine since they've seen better days. They're left from when I was pumping from DS and so have been heavily used for a cumulative period of about 18 months, at least.

smilelari

ckolak:

One thing I just remembered: I don't respond well to the pump when I have to use solid/ hard plastic flanges. I have some of the soft-fit breast shields (medela) and that not only makes pumping more comfortable but I get more milk when I use them than when I have to use my backups (hard plastic ones). You can't microwave sterilize them. I highly recommend them. I am thinking about replacing mine since they've seen better days. They're left from when I was pumping from DS and so have been heavily used for a cumulative period of about 18 months, at least.

That's what I started with (they come with the freestyle).  Unfortunately they only come in 1 size and it's the wrong one

sixtwelve

What I did was pump after my son finished his night feeding to make sure I got every little bit out.  I would have the pump already set up and ready to go.  I would rinse the parts after and wash them in the morning.  It kind of sucked but it did help me save up extra milk. 

CaseBride

This is obviously not feasible at work, but while you are at home, can you pump on one side while baby feeds on the other? Most moms tend to let down better for a baby than a pump and this can "trick" your body...

CaseBride

Also, I just remembered, I have heard of other moms putting heating pads on their boobs for about 10 minutes before they pump... kind of gets things flowing. And, have you tried the M-S-S technique? (Massage - Shake - Stroke) I'm sure it looks/feels funny because you are basically fondling yourself but I've heard it work for some moms...