You mentioned that Abe used to take 16 ounces a day at daycare, and I think you said you pump three times a day at work. Do you manage to replace everything he drinks at daycare just by pumping at work? If not, how often do you pump? Ellie takes 16 ounces at daycare (maybe less once we start sending her with breakfast next week), but I only manage to pump 8 - 10 ounces at work. To supplement, I pump every night around midnight or so (as long as she stays asleep), but I only get 1-3 ounces that time, so basically I'm pumping all week in order to get enough for three days of daycare, and I feel like I'm barely making it each time. What's more, MH and I are going away for the weekend at the end of October, so I need a stash...and I just can't seem to get one beyond the 12 or so ounces I have now.
Short of starting the fenugreek/mother's milk tea/oatmeal type of regimens, do you have any pumping strategies for keeping up with your L.O.?
Re: *shuga*
I remember being just where you are and being so frustrated. I still pump 4x a day. When he was at Ellie's age I was also pumping sometime in the evening/night to try to get just a bit more. Even then I was still short a few ounces. I always had to count on the few ounces I could collect on the weekends (usually around 10). It was always a battle and I started More Milk Plus around 6 months. That made a big difference for me. Also, I would have pump sessions on the weekends. I would pump every.single.*** time I nursed him. It sucked but it did boost my supply for Monday. I'm really stingy with my stash and never use it except for at daycare.
Thankfully he is mostly down to 8 ounces a day and I can handle that easily...plus we are almost at a year (holy cow).
I totally feel your pain and frustration. A supplement might do the trick for you.
I hope this helps.
Thank you both! Both the practical advice and the feeling that you've both been here before and developed strategies to make it work make me feel better. I was starting to be resigned to the idea of supplementing with formula, but I really don't want to go there if I can avoid it. We've made it seven months EBF; I'm hoping for 6 more.
I think I'll pump right now!
wow, more milk plus is not cheap! did you take the liquid or the capsules?