https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:36:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893917 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:18:02 +0000 raintreebee 1893917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just want to reiterate what @daniellemybelle said: that supplementing doesn't mean the end of breastfeeding. Certainly try all of the suggestions above--they might really work. But if they don't, don't beat yourself up. I have been suffering from a serious loss in supply since LO turned 6 months old nearly 3 months ago. I have tried it all and nothing has worked. I've decided that the best thing for LO is not to go hungry of course, so I don't mind supplementing with a bottle of formula or two when I can't pump enough at work. I understand the argument as to why people want to exclusively breastfeed, but I just wasn't prepared to be all or nothing about it when I couldn't increase my supply no matter what. We still have a good breastfeeding relationship when we are together. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893635 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:06:40 +0000 catomd00 1893635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has your monthly friend come back yet? Mine just returned and I noticed that for a few days before, I had a drop in supply. On CD1 now and my supply is back up.</p> <p>Hopefully it's a temporary drop and you can get it back up for the next month! But, if you can't, be gentle on yourself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893327 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:50:52 +0000 MamaCate 1893327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: drowning oatmeal in brown sugar is a good way to improve the taste! And I love overnight oats too! Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893187 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:02:30 +0000 Adira 1893187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: haha, then you can totally do it!!! It's just a lot of work and really time consuming, but the only thing that worked for me was just pumping all the time (though I prioritized nursing - so pumping after nursing and not too close to the next nursing session)! By the end, on weekends I was nursing 4 times and pumping 5 times! During the week, I would nurse once and pump 6 times! Weekend and evening pumping was crucial for me to have enough to get through the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893177 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:57:48 +0000 artsyfartsy 1893177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I am both. Haha. I have so much dedication to make this work!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893176 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:57:32 +0000 avivoca 1893176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I hear you on not liking oatmeal. I tried overnight oats made in the refrigerator and could at least choke it down. I made mine with orange juice instead of milk (I saw the recipe on HB). One time I made it with milk and put some flax seed and brewer's yeast in it and the few bites I ate were AWFUL but man did I produce a lot of milk that day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893175 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:57:11 +0000 Adira 1893175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Only do what I did if you're a crazy person and/or extremely stubborn! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893168 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:55:39 +0000 artsyfartsy 1893168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: you are my hero! Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1893167 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:55:17 +0000 artsyfartsy 1893167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKoala: Nope. All gone. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892927 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:33:41 +0000 Adira 1892927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Just want to send you lots of &lt;3 . I was able to pump and supply Xander until he was 12 months, but it was a lot of hard work, and my supply started tanking around 9 months, which made it so much more difficult.</p> <p>Things I did were pumping after every feed: mornings, evenings, and every feed on the weekend. I also pumped in the evening before I went to bed. I also added a pumping session during the day at work. And supplements didn't work for me, but I ate oatmeal every morning.</p> <p>Good luck to you! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892926 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:32:56 +0000 MrsKoala 1892926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Do you still have a freezer stash? At this point, I wouldn't worry about freezing anything and just leave the stash be for now. Once you are home all the time, it won't matter so much to have so much frozen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892906 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:26:17 +0000 artsyfartsy 1892906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all so so so much for your encouragement and advice. I'm feeling a little more hopeful this morning after reading all of your replies. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892902 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:24:54 +0000 artsyfartsy 1892902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sparkler: Thanks!! I'm thinking about doing just that. I just want him to have as much milk as possible so I'm really pushing to get him so much during the day. I may just have to let it go. DH and I are just stressed over this so maybe I am taking it too seriously. </p> <p>@tysonja: He definitely loves food! Thank you for the suggestions. </p> <p>@Leah: Thanks for the suggestions!! I definitely have a lot I can try. </p> <p>@avivoca: This honestly never crossed my mind. I'll definitely be trying that. </p> <p>@daniellemybelle: Thank you! I haven't referred to an LC yet. My OB nurse is one and I really trust her. I may contact her!</p> <p>@MamaCate: I'm not an oatmeal fan but I'm definitely picking some up at the store tomorrow. Thanks for your encouragement. :) :)<br /> @Bluebonnet: Thanks for your suggestions!!! :) :)</p> <p>@brownie: that definitely sounds like something to try. Thanks!!</p> <p>@jedeve: thanks!! I find though that I barely get drops when I pump before bed even though it's about 3 hours after T has nursed last. He's veen consistently going to bed at 6:30 for months now so that's probably why.<br /> I'm definitely a bottle starer. Haha!! I know I need to stop.<br /> He has oatmeal in the morning, half a banana or less afterwards or mixed in (his babysitter changes it up often), and two jars of babyfood for lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892600 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:22:29 +0000 jedeve 1892600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry this is stressful! Supply dips totally happen with pumping. </p> <p>First thing to remember is if your baby is fine, you are doing fine. You don't have to feed your freezer. </p> <p>Make sure you are getting enough calories. Try drinking Gatorade in addition to water. Oatmeal definitely helps. I also had a lot of success with mothers milk tea. Let it cool and then you can just chug it down. </p> <p>For me it worked best to pump after LO went to sleep and before I did. That way there wasn't a long stretch without nursing and I was a lot more comfortable going to bed with empty breasts </p> <p>Take a hot shower before you pump to help your milk come down. Massage your breasts during the pumping. </p> <p>When you pump don't stare at the bottles. Put on a fun shoe and just try to relax. </p> <p>How many meals of solids iare you doing at daycare? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892594 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:04:03 +0000 brownie 1892594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: One thing that really helped me and may work with the times you are stating is to nurse on one side and pump from the other side. I got more milk in just that one pump than any other pump combined. With him waking just 30 min later than you are pumping it would work to try. It may also work with the afternoon pumping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892583 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:39:08 +0000 Bluebonnet 1892583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO2 is 7 months and is EBF and I EBFed LO1 for a year (I work FT). I've been able to up my supply when it has dipped by doing the a combination of the following:<br /> - eat more protein<br /> - sleep more<br /> - lactation cookies or lactation smoothie<br /> - drink lots of water<br /> - oatmeal for breakfast<br /> - making sure I was getting enough calories<br /> - reducing stress when possible </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892582 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:37:57 +0000 MamaCate 1892582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I am so sorry you are going through this! Nursing and pumping can be an emotional roller coaster! Eating oatmeal in the mornings helped with my supply when I had issues, maybe you could try that too? I agree that a little formula is not the end of the world but I would want to try everything else first too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892581 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:37:29 +0000 daniellemybelle 1892581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all, you are awesome for working so hard on this! &lt;3</p> <p>Secondly, supplementing does NOT mean you won't breastfeed for a year or beyond. I have supplemented from the start and we are still nursing at 11 months!</p> <p>Thirdly, have you talked to a lactation consultant? There are some that are GREAT with working mom / pumping concerns. I know one that may do a Skype consult! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892579 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:32:05 +0000 avivoca 1892579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried giving him water in a sippy or straw cup? He may just be thirsty. A friend recommended drinking almond milk to help boost supply. It worked for me! I put it on my cereal and it tastes just like cow's milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892499 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:01:43 +0000 Orchid 1892499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I'm kinda dealing with a similar problem. I'm pumping just to empty more often to spur greater production. Baby doesn't like bottles at all (will eat 2 oz maximum from a bottle) so most of what I pump goes to the freezer. I just pump after each feeding. Its definitely very emotional and I get very upset when I feel like there isn't enough milk!</p> <p>Here's what I'm doing: </p> <p>1) pumping after feedings; </p> <p>2) power pump after the feeding just before bedtime (for 1 hour pump for ten minutes, rest ten minutes, pump ten minutes ...). Supposedly this tells your body there's a very hungry baby desperate for milk.</p> <p>3) Guzzling mother's milk tea</p> <p>4) Taking fenugreek till I smell like maple syrup</p> <p>5) Taking More Milk Plus</p> <p>6) Eating big bowls of oatmeal, lots of raw cashews, other milk boosters</p> <p>7) Trying not to worry too much and getting adequate rest</p> <p>It works!!! My supply went way up, then tanked again because I just got my period back.</p> <p>Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892469 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:33:02 +0000 tysonja 1892469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ETA: I fed my kids (LOTS of) formula because I had a very scant supply right from the beginning -- I was still able to breast feed both of them till around 7-8 months... so for you I think you will FOR SURE make your 1 year goal! :D don' worry so much about pumping if you can! :) rooting for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892467 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:31:18 +0000 tysonja 1892467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd try fenugreek and blessed thistle and the teas first, try to eat more, and do your best not to stress (easier said than done, I know!!).</p> <p>I'd definitely also add dinner and maybe even snack into your LO's solids diet :) sounds like he likes food and this could help a lot! :)</p> <p>you're doing great -- even if your supply does drop in the next few weeks with work stress and etc, doesn't mean it can't amp up again later on! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892458 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:25:11 +0000 Sparkler 1892458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's hard, but I made breastfeeding my LO rather than pumping my priority. I just pumped at work 3x and sent whatever I was able to get from that. Maybe I am selfish, but I never pumped in the evening or morning or in the middle of the night. I left a container of formula at daycare that they would use to give when necessary, but most of the time it was 2 bottles a week or less of formula. I didn't give formula on the weekends generally and made it to 1 year.</p> <p>I made this decision one morning after frantically trying to pump an extra feeding, dropping the milk on the floor, screaming bloody murder and scaring my husband and kids over 4 silly ounces of breastmilk. I realized I was taking this too seriously and needed to give myself a break! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892445 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:07:43 +0000 artsyfartsy 1892445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I'm researching lactation cookies now! Donor milk would be really hard to acquire in my area. Formula would be our better option, especially if it's just for the month (hopefully). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892444 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:07:42 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 1892444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started running when LO was about 3 months old &amp; my supply tanked. Lactation cookies saved me. &amp; they were delicious to boot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892439 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:03:52 +0000 Kemma 1892439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried lactation cookies or tea or would donor milk be an option worth looking at?</p> <p>Fingers crossed that your supply will hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892437 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:01:33 +0000 ShootingStar 1892437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just because you may have to supplement it doesn't mean you have to give up breastfeeding. I know it's hard but try to take a deep breath. If you need to give a bottle a day of formula (or mixed w/bm) you can get by for the next month. The most important thing is to feed the baby. And take care of yourself. Get plenty of calories and rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892436 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:01:20 +0000 Applesandbananas 1892436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I think it was 9m that I had daycare add an additional purée as an afternoon snack. It helped him go longer between the 2nd and 3rd bottles and I could usually get there before the 3rd bottle, which was awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892432 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:58:59 +0000 artsyfartsy 1892432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: He's almost 8 months! He has a big bowl of oatmeal cereal and half a banana in the mornings and then about two jars of baby food for lunch. I'm really unsure if this is enough? Not enough? Too much? I planned on adding dinner at 8 months.</p> <p>He hasn't been weighed in a while but he seems to be growing like a weed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-supply-to-nurse-because-im-desperately-pumping-it-all-out-to-meet-daycare-needs#post-1892431 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:56:16 +0000 Applesandbananas 1892431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you amp up solids? I don't decal how old T is, but around 9/10 months, it's really common for babies to decrease milk consumption and increase their intake of solids!</p> <p>How is his weight gain? If it's okay, I'd amp up on the solids and that should reduce your stress level! </p>