I have been back to work since last Tuesday and pump 3x/day (I can't get an extra session in during the workday). I have been tracking how much I pump and have noticed a slow but steady decrease (13.75oz first day to 10.25oz yesterday). I have been taking More Milk Plus, drinking Mother's Milk tea and at least 100 oz of water a day, as well as massage breasts before pumping. I'm trying to eat oatmeal but I have issues with the texture so that is harder. Other suggestions to increase output would be appreciated.
-
Im sorry. It sounds like you are doing everything right. How long are you pumping for?
-
All I can say is keep pumping. Are you pumping for a full 20 minutes each time? My supply dips and comes back, dips and comes back. I have a 5 month old and have been pumping at work for 2 months now.
-
@thehistoryofus: I pump for 20-25min each time.
-
It's normal to pump less on Friday than you do on Monday, but nursing on the weekend should help your supply increase again. Have you tried doing extra skin-to-skin with your baby? There are a lot of good tips for pumping on the Dr. Sears website.
-
@downwarddog: I'll have to check the Dr. Sears website hadn't thought of that one; I haven't tried extra skin to skin. I was hoping to see an increase because DS is nursing more at home but he has also become a more efficient nurser (15min total rather than 45) this last week. It may just be that my body is adjusting to the pump and I'm overly worried but I had problems pumping for my daughter (same sort of thing) and am trying to avoid them this time around.
-
My supply goes fluctuates, so I'm sure if you keep up pumping, it will pick up again. Stress can also affect y our supply
-
Mine definitely fluctuates. I am away from home 10 hours on workdays, so I need to pump a lot of milk! I can usually get 18-20 ounces after a full day, but last Thursday I was oy able to pump 12 ounces. I was scared, but then
I was super engaged all weekend. Monday I was able to get 19 ounces, yesterday I was out f the office and got home early so I don't know, and today I'm at 7 ounces so far.I think it's normal fluctuation. Make sure you nurse a looot on the weekend, and I pump on the weekends at night too. Before bed, and in te middle of the night. It helps to create a little stash for times your supply dips.
-
@purrpletulips: My supply varies week by week and day by day sometimes based on stress, sleep, etc. I think it will come back up, you're doing all the stuff I normally do to kick my supply back into gear.
-
When I went back to work, I wasn't pumping as much at work as I did at home. It took me a couple weeks to be able to relax while pumping at work.
Keep doing everything you're doing.
A couple of suggetions. Take a video of your baby cooing or whatever and watch that while you pump. Also look at picture of your baby while pumping and try to relax!
-
My supply varies a lot too. If I don't get enough sleep or feel rushed or stressed I definitely notice a difference. I second (or third) nursing a lot on the weekends, snuggle with LO as much as you can. You may also need to add in more pumping sessions, before you leave for work and/or after LO goes to bed. After reading this article I found on another thread, I figured out I needed to pump 5x a day in addition to the feedings I could give LO on weekdays. http://media.clinicallactation.org/2-1/CL2-1Mohrbacher.pdf
-
@kiddosc: thanks for that link! It was very helpful!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
11 comments