I need some advice. I really want to build up a little surplus of milk so I can go out once in a while without taking Brynna, but I'm at a loss how. I usually pump once or twice a day, but it ends up only being enough for one bottle which Batman gives Brynna that evening. How can I increase my supply to get enough for more than one feeding? I'm obviously producing enough since little miss is up to over 10 lbs already... but I need help with logistics. Should I pump an hour after every feeding? Right after each one? Right before?
This momma needs to get out once in a while and now that I'm back into cheer (and Batman refuses to let me take B to games with me), I need to get a stash in my freezer!
Help!
10 comments:
I am not BTDT, as this is my first baby, but have been trying to store up a stash in my freezer, too, for when I have to go back to work... Generally, I try to pump about an hour after Liliana eats (she's 7 weeks today, so our girls are really close in age!). That seems to be good in terms of making sure I have enough of a supply built back up for her next feeding, but it doesn't really yield a lot of results per pumping session - maybe 2-3 ounces with a double electric pump. I was worried about my supply, too - pumping more and her getting less directly from me, etc., but I've only been doing it a few days and I can tell my supply has already compensated, and I seem to be getting more when I pump today than I did a couple days ago.
Hope that helps! By the way, Brynna is BEAUTIFUL!!!
I am having trouble too. See I told you we had the same baby. I am already back at work and my schedule goes something like this.
Feed little man around 6ish. Get up and start coffee and pump. Come home at lunch and pump/feed. Pump in afternoon at work (during break). Pump at night after he is sleeping right before I go to bed.
This has been working great but he is starting to catch up with me and I am little worried. I find the morning and night pumpings give me the most milk.
I never breastfed so I wish I could help! Hopefully someone who did will leave a helpful comment for you! We need more pics! :)
I remember reading that you should pump in the morning because you have more milk then. It was true for me but it may be different for you. Good luck!
Kristin
I have been wondering the same thing!!! Even though Lyla is only 2 weeks old- I still want to start building up my supply! I will be checking back for comments! :)
It was really hard for me to build a supply. Once I got my Medela pump I pumped every 2 hrs (on th highest sucking setting)and my boobs started to supply more milk. We had latching issues that we couldn't resolve so I was literally pumping all the time and drinkin lots and lots of water.
A friend also got a prescription for some medication that was suppose to help you produce more milk. I never followed up with her since my schedule started working for me. It was very time consuming but I also had my hubby home for 4 weeks and MIL for 4wks so I had lots of help with the house stuff.
Hope you find something that works for you!
Hey T,
Virginia is now sleeping for hours at night- about 7 now, but even at 5 hours sleeping at night I would pump for about 3mins from the non-eaten boop and 1-2 mins from the other in the middle of the night and that would produce at least 3 ounces- I produce a lot, but maybe this extra pumping 1-2x at night would help you build up more milk for freezing and for bottles! Hope that helps!
:) Kitty
First thing's first: build up your milk supply! Drink lots of water, preferably over a gallon per day. Mother's Milk Tea is also something you should drink daily, as well as taking Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle supplements.
Eat plenty of oatmeal - not the instant kind, but the slow cook kind. Oatmeal is proven to increase milk supply, so chow down!
If Brynna is sleeping for a long chunk of time at night, make sure you pump every two hours. Your milk supply is highest between 2:00 am and 9:00 am - so if your little one is snoozing at night, get out your pump and keep at it. Take advantage of your peak production! Of course you'll be sacrificing your sleep, but sticking to a rigid pump schedule will not only boost your supply in the long term, but it will build your freezer stash as well (which will buy you FREEDOM to go out).
Remember that lactation is based on a demand-and-supply system. The more you pump or nurse, the more milk your body will produce. If you let your boobs "rest" for several hours, you're telling your body that you don't need the extra milk production. So when the baby is sleeping for a good chunk of time, pump pump pump!
Good luck! You're doing a fine job. :)
I just wanted to add one more thing: while you pump, make sure you massage your breasts thoroughly. It really helps to get more milk out.
When your boobs appear to be "empty" and the pump is no longer extracting any milk from your breasts, don't just stop pumping. Set the pump to its stimulation setting again and you will most likely get a 2nd letdown - I would say this happens 90% of the time.
Even when you're absolutely positive that your breasts are 100% empty (when you've successfully had a 2nd letdown), keep pumping for an additional 5 minutes anyway. The prolonged nipple stimulation will tell your body to produce more prolactin, which will yield more milk in future pumps. This is critical!! The worst thing you can do is turn off the pump the second your boobs run empty. Just give it an extra 5 minutes for prolactin buildup.
Sorry for the belated comment. I always had the greatest output when I pumped WHILE I was nursing Indra. I'd just pump the opposite side of the one she was feeding on. It took some coordination, but I managed.
Now my problem is oversupply!
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