https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:57:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2160048 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:37:15 +0000 gingerbebe 2160048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your post could have been me and DS verbatim. DS passed out while nursing for like 5 minutes and we could not keep him awake no matter what we did, so he never got enough to eat and would wake up 20 minutes later screaming in hunger. So I was BFing round the clock in 30 minute increments and then trying to pump right afterwards. We did this for 3 weeks, including naked feeds with ice packs against him to try and keep him awake (no dice, slept through ice packs!) DS was also colicky and had reflux so BFing/pumping wasn't working in terms of our sleep and keeping up DS' weight. So we began bottlefeeding and pumping with formula supplementation because he wouldn't fall asleep on the bottle. </p> <p>Pretty quickly after we switched to this plan, I stopped pumping at night. DS would get his last feeding at 10pm by DH (formula) and I would do 2 night feeds with DS around 1am and 4am of pumped milk, then DH would do the first morning feeding of pumped milk while I pumped for 30 full minutes. Then I would take a morning nap and take over feedings at 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm and pump during DS' naps. Because of my low output I was pumping 30 full minutes 6 times a day. By 12 weeks I found that I could pump 4 times a day and still produce the same amount, with one bottle of formula a day. At that point I was pumping at 8am, 1pm, 5pm, and 10pm.</p> <p>I will say that I took every supplement and pumped all the time but for whatever reason, my supply really didn't kick in until like 8 weeks (max output of 18-22 ounces per day) and I don't think it fully established its maximum output of 24 ounces until 4 months. </p> <p>I hope you'll be able to get things going with your baby and that the sleepiness will wear off. DS never did lose that sleepy thing - we breastfed for comfort a few times a day even after switching to bottles and he ALWAYS fell asleep, up until 6 months (at which point I stopped because he was biting me). Pumping itself sucks but I'm glad I've been able to provide DS breastmilk this long. He's 7.5 months old and I'm in the process of very slowly weaning to formula. He got 1 bottle of formula until 7 months, and 2 weeks ago I got down to 2 pumps a day, at which point he started getting 2 bottles while I pumped enough about 2.5-3 bottles per day. Based on this, I believe he will get 50% breastmilk until 9 months and then he will probably transition to 25% breastmilk at 10 months and do full formula for 6 weeks before we start weaning to milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2159954 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 15:18:25 +0000 youboots 2159954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter was not transferring well- she was hospitalized for dehydration. I was able to pump enough- but same thing pumping/ breast feeding bottle feeding 8x a day- if I was doing it alone it took over an hour. I was using a shield. We saw a LC once a week for six weeks- she became more efficient and we are down to 2 pumpings and one bottle a day- we just got rid of the shield last week- she is 2 months. I know it's hard- but I would give it a little more time. Once she got bigger and could stay awake longer it got so much easier, she is doing great at 2 months. I know it's hard but I encourage you to keep trying- give it another few weeks. If someone told me 6-7 weeks ago that I would be able to successfully feed my daughter without pumping around the clock I would not have believed it. Those awful weeks feel so far away now. Even if you have to continue to supplement- no big deal, but if you can cut out some of the pumpings and just feed your babe from the tap it would be a win. I got a scale with 1/10 of a pound. I weigh her every day to confirm she is gaining. I also weigh her before and after a feeding occasionally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2159925 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 14:57:51 +0000 Charm54 2159925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: great job with the pumping - I know it's not easy! I never noticed a drop down to 4x a day....it didn't matter whether I pumped 7x a day or 4x, I always got around 20oz. I tried to do 3x a day for a while and I did notice a drop in supply , so it seems like 4 was my magic number! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2159643 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:27:30 +0000 Raindrop 2159643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: Thanks for sharing your pumping story!</p> <p>I'm an EP too... I was pumping 8x time a day for the first 2 weeks... couldn't keep that up.. then I was 7-6x a day for another two weeks then it was straight 6x a day for 2 months and now I'm at 5x a day at 3 months... I really want to bring it down to 4x a day but I'm scared I will lose supply but pumping is a pain in the butt! </p> <p>My sessions are 20 minutes and I reset (stop it and started it again) my pump half way.</p> <p>I really admire any breast feeders.</p> <p>@SunshineMcC: Good luck! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2158998 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:27:19 +0000 Charm54 2158998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SunshineMcC: pumping was actually easier for me in terms of supply - I got more and had to do less sessions. I know that's not the case for everyone, but pumping agreed with me. Dd was a very slow and inefficient nurser. Maybe she would have gotten better but I didn't have the energy or desire to tough it out and see. Once my supply was established I only had to supplement an ounce or two of formula total per day. the domperidone really helped.</p> <p>At the beginning I tried to pump 6-7x a day. After a month I dropped to 5x a day. At 2 months I dropped to 4x a day which was very manageable and I did that until she was 6 months and I switched to FF exclusively. My pump sessions were always 10-15 mins in length. Occasionally I would power pump to boost my supply after illness or a missed session. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157847 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 07:36:41 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2157847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SunshineMcC: Man, it's so hard! Especially if you're nursing, then bottle feeding, then pumping, you start to feel like your entire day is just revolving around feeding this kid.</p> <p>For us, it did get easier when she got older - even the difference of a week when they're that tiny makes a big difference. </p> <p>I would first ask the pediatrician or lactation consultant to check for tongue tie. Assuming it's not a tongue tie or other physical issue preventing good transfer of milk, I do remember we had to make a huge production out of keeping my daughter awake to really get a good feeding in. Otherwise, she would fall asleep after a few sucks but then be hungry again 10 minutes later. We had to turn the lights on really bright, strip her down to her diaper, tickle her toes, put cool wash cloths on her, wave her arm up and down, talk really loudly to her... it was kind of ridiculous. But it helped a lot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157834 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 07:22:10 +0000 Annette 2157834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshinemcc It was probably around 4 weeks that we stopped supplementing with formula. We ended up using nipple shields for a whIle as well and only just weaned him off those a few days ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157763 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 05:35:24 +0000 SunshineMcC 2157763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: our IBCLC recommended fenugreek at our appt Saturday but haven't gotten it yet. I wasn't aware of MMT or oatmeal as helping, so thanks for those suggestions! It's great to hear that you supplemented and are now at a place where it isn't necessary! </p> <p>@Kemma: no checking yet on what's causing the transfer issue. Our IBCLC didn't even mention that, so good to know! We have been using a paci but trying to do so sparingly as I know that can impact things. We do a lot of skin to skin - with each feeding, but could do more. I've need nursing 8-9 times per day and over half of those we have to wake LO up to feed. Thanks for the suggestions! </p> <p>@miramira: thanks for the input! Our IBCLC said I'd get the same stimulation with pumping as nursing but it seems that maybe that isn't the case. I've been nursing first each time, then offering a bottle but it's getting tiring! Thanks for the support!! In terms of output, the wet and soiled diapers are definitely there but it's the weight loss that's a challenge. We have another check in today with our pediatrician, so hoping for a good number on the scale! </p> <p>@Annette: so glad to hear you made it to EBF! At what point did you get there? I do have a double pumping bra, but haven't tried fenugreek or thistle but will look into both! I've been doing massage and compression whike nursing but not pumping, so will try that! Thanks so much!!</p> <p>@Charm54: so glad to hear EPing worked for you. Our IBCLC offered that as an option too but I'm concerned that will decrease my supply vs. nursing and pumping. Did you increase the number of times you were pumping when you went to EPing? How many times did you pump each day and for how long? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157760 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 05:00:10 +0000 Charm54 2157760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds very similar to our story. My DD ended up in the NICU for jaundice and dehydration, kept losing weight, was a very slow nurser so the nursing/supplementing/pumping process took 1.5 hrs each time. I had a breast reduction a few years ago so knew there might be potential supply issues. </p> <p>I had a breakdown around 3weeks and Dh suggested that I try EPing for a bit, so I did. It saved me a lot of time and sanity. EPing is not for everyone, especially if EBFing is your goal (it never was a huge goal for me so I wasn't too upset to give it up) but I did end up EPing and supplementing for 6 months and overall had a good experience.</p> <p>Another thing that really helped boost my supply was a Domperidone prescription. </p> <p>Those first few weeks are the hardest. I know a lot of moms say EBFing gets easier with time, so if that's your goal there's lots of women here who can give you great tips. </p> <p>Good luck! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157759 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 04:59:15 +0000 miramira 2157759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, i just wanted to add that the amout of milk you pump is NOT an accurate indicator of your actual supply, simply because it is artificial extraction and doesn't work as efficiently as the baby. So don't let your pumped output worry you! The only real indicator that your baby is getting enough "on tap" breastmilk is weight gain and number of wet and dirty diapers. It's so common for breastfed babies to take longer to regain their birthweight and that's why they come equipped with extra fat stores. </p> <p>Please don't worry too much, my little guy lost more than 10% of his weight too and now at 6m he's a little bruiser! </p> <p>It's so emotional at the beginning though, i know. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157758 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 04:58:19 +0000 Annette 2157758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in the same boat with low milk supply as well as latching issues. Our LO dropped 12 percent birth weight and we had to supplement with formula for the first 3 weeks until my supply was established and he was latching properly. You are doing all of the right things to keep your baby fed so try not to stress too much about giving formula as I know that was really hard for me to accept. If you aren't already get some fenugreek and blessed thistle and take alot of it (3x 3 per day of both) and just keep pumping Like you are doing. I know it's soooo hard late at night to feed baby and then pump, at 2 weeks PP you are at the peak of your exhaustion so don't worry it will get better.I also recommend a double pumping bra (even use an old sports bra and cut out small holes for the pump) as then you can multi task while you pump which made a huge difference for me. Also use breast massage and compression as you pump as you'd be suprised how well that can help increase your supply. I also found drinking tons of water and eating a big bowl of oatmeal each morning really helped.</p> <p>As for transfer issues, your baby will learn and get better at sucking. He is just so young and might not be fully developed with his sucking yet. He will get there and won't always be so sleepy/lazy.</p> <p> I am now 6 weeks PP and my son is EBF after all of the syringe, SNS feeding tubes, bottles and nipple shields. I'm really glad I stuck it out and I think if EBF is your goal you will get there too. PM me if you are ever going crazy and super stressed and need support as I know it was so hard at first. :( Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157757 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 04:24:34 +0000 miramira 2157757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's stressful, isn't it? You are doing a wonderful job though! Lots of us have been there so you have our empathy and full support.</p> <p>My only advice would be to put the baby to the breast as often as possible. He can remove milk more effectively than a pump and therefore stimulate your supply. If the demand is there from the baby, the supply should be there too. Missing feedings by offering only a bottle can hinder supply in these early days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157756 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 03:41:03 +0000 Kemma 2157756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess my first question would be if you know what's causing the transfer issue? Has your lo been checked for tongue or lip tie?</p> <p>In terms of milk volume, my understanding is that newborns should be eating up to 25 ounces per day so 1.5oz at that one feeding isn't too bad if you're doing 10-12 feeds in 24 hours. It's also possible that your lo was only having a snack rather than a meal as such, sometimes you can get a much clearer picture if you can do a day of weighted feeds or at least several in a row.</p> <p>Do you have any plans to meet with your IBCLC again and does she have a plan to improve your lo's transfer issues?</p> <p>My other suggestions would be to do lots of skin to skin, nurse as much as possible (are you using a paci at all?), eat plenty of good nutritious calories and get plenty of rest.</p> <p>Hang in there Mama, you're doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157750 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:13:01 +0000 Raindrop 2157750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh hellobee has a page about increasing your supply ... hopefully that is helpful </p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/28/increasing-your-milk-supply/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/28/increasing-your-milk-supply/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157749 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:11:16 +0000 Raindrop 2157749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you doing anything to support your supply? </p> <p>Aka - taking fenugeek or drinking mothers milk tea or eating oatmeal</p> <p>Also don't stress about it! :)</p> <p>I think you are doing okay so far... I had to supplement for the first month with this LO and now at 3 months old ... he hasn't had any formula for a while now.. probably the last 1.5 months. I'm an exclusive pumper though so I know exactly how much I'm pumping and if anything I'm doing is working or not... and it's still unclear... stress definitely affects me... and I have to keep telling myself... formula is okay. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questionable-supply-amp-minimal-transfer-issues-how-to-proceed#post-2157747 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:02:19 +0000 SunshineMcC 2157747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi ladies, </p> <p>FTM here. LO is 2 weeks old and we started supplementing b/c he lost over 10% of body weight while in the hospital. At 6 days we saw the pediatrician and were pleased that LO had gained 7oz in 2.5 days. We met with a LC because we wanted to start pulling back on supplementation. We went back to 20-30ml per feeding but at our next appointment (10 days), he had lost an ounce despite the supplementation. We saw the LC the next day who told us to up the supplementing to 2oz per feeding. At our appt, LO only got 1.5oz from BF (he falls asleep often and isn't transferring a ton) when he needs 3oz per feeding for optimal weight gain. </p> <p>For now, I'm BF, supplementing (mainly formula, but with BM when I can pump enough), then pumping for 20 minutes. This takes about 1.5 hours each session and we're still not sure it's working. My goal was to EBF, but I'm open to supplementing, just not sure I can sustain all I'm doing now. Any advice, suggestions or guidance? </p> <p>Thanks!!! </p>