https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:22:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-milk-measurement#post-2901992 Mon, 11 Nov 2019 01:43:48 +0000 cake2017 2901992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: interesting! Thanks!@MamaBear87: no i’m pretty careful when transferring! It’s basically the bottles vs bags. Some bottles are off tho. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-milk-measurement#post-2901985 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:15:59 +0000 Sams Mom 2901985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know how accurate this is, but my grandma always told us to never trust a plastic measuring anything. Always use glass to measure wether it's a baby bottle, measuring cup, or spoons; they don't warp or change. I always pumped into glass Avent bottles at work and they seemed fairly consistent with our other bottles as long as they weren't "worn" (multiple sanitize cycles in the dishwasher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-milk-measurement#post-2901984 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:45:48 +0000 MamaBear87 2901984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bottles for sure more accurate. I've always found them to be about the same. Maybe you're loosing some when pouring between? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-milk-measurement#post-2901983 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:20:12 +0000 SweetCaroline 2901983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never ever used the bags to measure, it's way too hard with the wrinkles, etc. My Medela and Gerber bottles were all consistent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-milk-measurement#post-2901982 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 16:36:15 +0000 bhbee 2901982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always felt like the bags were way less accurate than bottles </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-milk-measurement#post-2901979 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 14:50:00 +0000 cake2017 2901979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been building alittle stash of pumped milk for when I leave Lo(3 months) for 4 days. I’ve noticed that the measures pumped milk is different for various bottles and completely different when placed in the storage bag. So what’s the true amount? The bottle or bag? Also why are the measurements off... shouldn’t it be standard? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supply-tanking-when-sick#post-2864072 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 22:29:19 +0000 Pollywog 2864072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It isn't unheard of. I'd bake oatmeal muffins, really increase your calories, and try to nurse as much as possible and avoid pumping. That should increase your supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supply-tanking-when-sick#post-2864070 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 22:14:36 +0000 bhbee 2864070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it’s possible for it to tank quickly (but be able to likely recover also). I ended up in the hospital when my son was 5m and not on solids. I was fairly ill to start and also missed some feedings (well, pumpings since I was away and had to dump some due to meds). My supply dropped so fast. But I kept up pumping (and then feeding once I was home) and it came back pretty quickly also. I did end up getting mastitis and I don’t know if that was hospital germ exposure, or the changes in my up and down production, so keep an eye out for trouble of that nature. I hope it resolves soon!! I’d try pumping after each feeding to really empty and do anything else that helps your production.</p> <p>ETA your baby can often get more than the pump so I would try to read more into baby’s behavior than the number of ounces. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supply-tanking-when-sick#post-2864054 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 20:56:10 +0000 PurplePumps 2864054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a (minor?) cold last weekend that started with a little sore throat with it peaking on Xmas day with a minor fever (99.8) and I'm finally starting to feel better today. However, it seems that since Monday, my supply has totally tanked, and it wasn't high to start with so now I'm worried if my baby is eating enough. I went from being able to pump about 3-4 oz every 3ish hours to only getting 1-2 every 3 hours tops. This also coincided with when I went from pumping/feeding both sides every 2-4 hrs, to feeding each side every 6-8 hours due to him sleeping longer overnight and napping or skipping meals for some reason. The first time I went over 6 hrs, my boobs were about to explode, now they barely feel like there's anything and I can only pump 1.5-2 oz. Could my supply have tanked that quickly from the change in feeding, or can a cold affect it that much? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825210 Tue, 29 May 2018 13:46:48 +0000 JennyPenny 2825210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've traveled when my LOs were anywhere from 4-13 months old (and still nursing) and what I found is that the earlier travel times my supply seemed to take a bigger hit proportionally, but was easily recovered. Toward the end any hit I took seemed to be how it was going to be for the rest of the time. My guess is when breastmilk was still my LOs primary food source, they'd keep sucking if they were hungry and stimulate my body back to do what it needed. When it wasn't their only or primary source maybe they didn't do that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825079 Mon, 28 May 2018 14:32:55 +0000 DesertDreams88 2825079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nanilani: I didn't notice her needing to nurse any more often than she normally does, and she was 10 weeks at the time (only 14 weeks now). I stay very hydrated anyway regardless of temperature, but you're right, you would *need* to in order to have enough milk. Yes, I've heard the same thing about infants being worse at regulating temperature. But, like I said, she has usually been the coolest out of all of us - shade + fan + mist/water was a potent combo! Humidity, though, intimidates me. When we went to DW, I was annoyed by it everyday, and that was without kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825074 Mon, 28 May 2018 12:53:24 +0000 Raspberry 2825074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Iced Tea: Sorry to threadjack, but what is this electric toothbrush trick you speak of? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825071 Mon, 28 May 2018 12:18:43 +0000 nanilani 2825071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: That’s good to know, thanks! My husband is more stressed over the prospect of bringing the baby than I am, although the possibility of dehydration worries me too. I know I’d have to nurse a lot and drink a ton of water myself. And don’t small babies have a harder time controlling their own body temps? I forgot where I read that though so maybe I’m mistaken.</p> <p>It’d be FL in August, so most likely 90s+ and so humid it rains every day to get it out of its system. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825070 Mon, 28 May 2018 12:12:04 +0000 nanilani 2825070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Iced Tea: Thanks for the tip! I’ll keep it in mind if we decide to leave baby behind.</p> <p> I think I’d be far less stressed about my supply if he were as old as your LO during our trip. It’s the fact that he’ll be so little that gets me. I’m not sure if I’m worrying for a real reason or blowing it out of proportion though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825069 Mon, 28 May 2018 12:10:18 +0000 DesertDreams88 2825069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm wondering what specifically would be the heat and the humidity?</p> <p>I live in Phoenix and LO has been fine until now. Most days temps have been in the high 80s, low 90s. </p> <p>Temps in the 80s: I wear her in the Ergo a lot and she's fine.<br /> Temps in the 90s: Keeping her in the stroller with the sun shade, and/or in shaded areas, sometimes with a stroller fan has worked.<br /> Temps in the 100s: try to avoid the midday heat 11am-3pm. Otherwise, same system as above, while also adding in a misting fan, cooling bandanas, and/or wet bandanas.</p> <p>She was outside with us all day on a 100 degree day and she was the coolest out of all of us, I was so happily surprised (we were ready to go home at a moment's notice if I thought it was too much.)</p> <p>We have low humidity though. </p> [attach=5393/18/p9g7p7.600x450.20180426_125519.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825068 Mon, 28 May 2018 12:00:28 +0000 Iced Tea 2825068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m certainly no expert. I did just travel without my 11 month old for four days and had a hell of a time with clogged ducts while I was gone. However, I’m not at all used to pumping more than once a day, so that’s probably the main factor there. Once I found some lecithin and applied an electric toothbrush, I finally relieved the clogs. I think next time I’d pack some lecithin to have on hand because I had to check multiple pharmacies and suffer before I found some. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maintaining-supply-while-travelling-without-infant#post-2825066 Mon, 28 May 2018 11:55:01 +0000 nanilani 2825066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please share your experiences, good or bad, with maintaining supply while travelling without your EBF infant!</p> <p>Our family has the opportunity to go on a trip this August and we’re on the fence whether to bring our then 3 month old. It’d be a largely outdoor trip and we have concerns over how he’d handle the heat and humidity. The trip can be cancelled, but not postponed due to financial/logistical reasons. I’ll have enough of a freezer stash to leave the baby with a relative for the four days, but I’m worried that my supply could take a permanent hit while he is so young. I didn’t leave his brother for that long until he was nearly a year old. I’m also trying to come to terms with possibly needing to pump and dump while away unless I figure out a way to travel with unfrozen milk :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805523 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:37:49 +0000 jhd 2805523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: good idea! Thank you! I really should get in touch with a professional for some help before baby comes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805518 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:03:44 +0000 Kemma 2805518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a thought but have you considered getting in touch with an IBCLC before your baby arrives? A good IBCLC should be able to help you troubleshoot your last experience and help you put a plan in place to help meet your feeding goals.</p> <p>Also, is it an option for your to do some antenatal hand expression so you have some colostrum on hand when baby arrives? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805480 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:00:00 +0000 jhd 2805480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: you always have such helpful advice! Thank you! Sounds like I may need to pay attention to how certain foods affect me. Definitely going to have Gatorade and MM tea on hand. I barely had any colostrum with Lo1. He was born Monday night and it was Sat am before I had any pumped milk to bring to him in NICU. Glad to hear your milk came in quicker the second time. Gives me hope!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805465 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:44:40 +0000 gingerbebe 2805465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all, I did not have a great supply with DS1 and we were basically almost exclusively pumping by 6 weeks old.<br /> Milk didn't come in for 7 days with him and I swear I made no colostrum. But with DS2, I could see colostrum by the end of my pregnancy, I knew I was producing it, and my milk started coming in on Day 4. My supply with DS2 was MUCH better and I didn't do anything all that different. So it may just be better overall by coincidence now that your body has gone through it once before.</p> <p>Beef and Gatorade always boosted my supply within a day. It worked for me better than oatmeal or whatever. Also, chicken with skin and bone on it - I don't know if it was the fat or collagen/gelatin in the meat, but it made my milk richer with a bigger creamline when I ate wings.</p> <p>I took blessed thistle, brewer's yeast tablets, and fenugreek, along with sunflower lecithin 3x a day (at each meal). I also drank 1-3 cups of the mother's milk teas during the day. The lecithin helped against clogged ducts by keeping the milk thinner, so I felt also I got more volume that way (instead of it being thicker milk).</p> <p>I stopped pumping overnight (last pump was 1030pm) around 8 weeks with DS2 and 12 weeks with DS1 (but that's because they were sleeping through the night at that point). One thing that really helped me with DS2 was to wear a looser sleeping bra but use a cloth diaper folded up inside as a nursing pad. That way nothing was binding my breasts so they could fill up, but I didn't have to worry about nursing pads shifting around and just sleep comfortably in any position. With DS1, I remember the pads would shift so I would wear tighter bras because of it.</p> <p>I focused on nursing or pumping every 3 hours the first 6 weeks at least (plus clusterfeeding). With DS2, I also did a power pumping session every few weeks while watching TV before bed because I wanted to be prepared for the next inevitable growth spurts at 3 weeks and 6 weeks and 12 weeks. My milk levels were pretty stable and static at 12 weeks and remained constant until I weaned. With DS1 I produced enough in a day for all but 1 bottle of milk and with DS2 I was technically able to produce 100% but chose to supplement 1-2 bottles of formula a day and stashed the rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805434 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:31:23 +0000 jhd 2805434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: thanks that’s good to keep in mind! Definitely need to make sure I’m eating and drinking enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805433 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:29:50 +0000 jhd 2805433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: I’m so glad to hear this! I’m really hoping like you said my body will remember what to do and do it a little better this time. Congrats on making it a whole year! That’s awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805418 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:32:13 +0000 Mama Bird 2805418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No supplements, but I made sure to eat a lot more and to avoid feeding schedules for the first few weeks... I'm not sure how this would work with pumping though, it's so hard to increase pumping frequency while taking care of the baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805399 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:47:42 +0000 nana87 2805399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't EP, but had low supply issues and had to combo-feed lo1, but with lo2 I have had zero issues! She just turned 1 last week and still going strong with nursing. I didn't really do anything differently, except I did eat some lactation cookies early on, and ate a lot of oatmeal. I just feel like my body knew what to do more easily this time around. It was still hard for the first month or so, but much, MUCH easier than with lo1 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805201 Tue, 20 Feb 2018 13:28:45 +0000 jhd 2805201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peachykeen: definitely good to keep in mind the importance of night time pumps! I will likely have access to the hospital grade Medela at the hospital but I have heard such great things about the Spectra I bought it rather than try to deal with Insurance for a hospital grade rental! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805196 Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:36:14 +0000 peachykeen 2805196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EP'ed with DD1 but not with DD2, so not sure how helpful this will be. The main mistake I think I made with DD1 was dropping night time pumps too early. I dropped them around 7-8 weeks and I really think I needed to go to at least 12 weeks with the "night wakings" and maybe even still do one middle of the night pump after that.</p> <p>I have used Spectra with both babies and I agree that it is the best if you don't have access to the Medela hospital pumps!</p> <p>Good luck - I know it is not easy no matter what you do! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805193 Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:19:37 +0000 jhd 2805193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: thanks! I will check them out! I did more milk plus last time. Definitely want to see if there are other supplements that might be better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805159 Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:19:03 +0000 snowjewelz 2805159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Legendiary Milk!! I only found out about them for #2, and while I didn't have crazy results like some people post, I was able to EBF till 1 (and still nursing at 14 mo). I dried up with my 1st at 9 months! That and the silicone pump that you attach to 1 boob while feeding on the other (not helpful for you if you pump) but I saved so much letdown milk without any extra work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-better-supply-with-lo2#post-2805089 Mon, 19 Feb 2018 22:39:40 +0000 jhd 2805089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: thank you! I ordered a Spectra. I’m glad to hear it’s working better for you than the Medela! And I’m definitely going to try to get in more pumping sessions right from the start. Really hoping this will work out better the second time! </p>