Hellobee Boards

Are you doing breast massage and compressions while you pump? I find that that and hand expressing when I'm done really, really helps.

you wont dry up if you keep pumping. You might get a bit less output, but you probably wont dry up fully. Did you get more overall when you only poump on one side per session? Or did it level out? For example, did you get 5oz on one side and 3 on the other for a total of 8, and now you get 4 and 4? Thats typically what will happen. Also keep in mind that the baby is much more effective at emptying the breast than the pump. So at first, your body was creating what the baby was removing. Now that the pump removes less, your body creates a bit less.

You WILL be able to continue BFing. You might have to either supplement a tiny bit or give her less ounces per day (if its only varying by a few oz a day) but keep at it.

Also, to build a supply...this is kind of a slow way, but it adds up. When you pump during the week, feed her what you pump the next day. Whatever you pump on fridays, freeze. Pump whenever you can on weekends as all those little pumping sessions will add up. Once you have enough for her Monday bottles, freeze whatever else you can pump.

I know its frustrating. Its hard. Its discouraging to see output lessen, and its exhausting. But it levels out and you CAN do it. =o)

I'm starting to pump now in anticipation of work. I find I get more if I pump while she's nursing. It's only 1oz tho
But if I pump without her nursing I get droplets.
The other day I kept alternating boobs when I pumped when she wasnt nursing. Massaging the boon I wasn't pumping and it seemed to help a bit?
Thanks for the info on those pills giving you gassiness. I think I'll stay away then!

I'm really worried about not being able to pump at all when I get back to work.

@LivsMama: thanks for the great stash tips!

@regberadaisy: Some babies (and moms) are more sensitive to fenugreek than others so not everyone has the same result. Fenugreek can lead to digestive upset in mom and/or baby with loose stool and/or gas.

@pelikila: my baby is SUPER gassy so to be on the safe side I'm staying away from everythin that can cause gassiness. She cried for hours on end due to gassiness, I think.
So I'm erring on the side of caution.

So much for drinking coffee & coke after delivery!

@BabyBoecksMom: You arent failing. I promise. Its just your body reacting to the pump rather than the baby. My first pumping session of the day is my biggest one. I can sometimes get 8oz total in that session. Each subsequent is considerably less, usually 2-3 oz (total) during those. So that is also normal. You produce the most overnight into early morning, so thats bound to happen. It also lessens a bit as the week goes on. Some of my most effective pumping days are Mondays because the baby was nursing all weekend and getting more out each time. Does she NEED 16? Or could you lessen each bottle by 1-1.5oz and see how she does? Just keep pumping as much as you can. It will level out.

@BabyBoecksMom: I'd see about checking the fit with a lactation consultant. Like @LivsMama: said, some of the areola should go in, not just the nipple.

I agree with seeing about a hospital grade pump. I have a rented Medela Symphony and that thing is a BEAST.