Breastfeeding & Milk Supply

[point]

Hello - I just went back to work this past week (son is 12 weeks), and I am having trouble maintaining a high enough volume of milk while pumping.  He has never been a frequent eater - about 6-7 times/ 24 hours.  So now that I am at work, I only have 1-2 nursing sessions with him per 24 hours.  I pump while at work at least 3 times, but am finding I have a significant decrease in amount while pumping.  I know I will have less with pumping, but at this point if I get 3 oz between both breasts, I am having a good session. 
Has anyone else had this difficulty?  If so, any recommendations in improve it?  At this point, I plan to try a few things I've read about, but if I don't see much improvement over the next couple of weeks, I may need to resort to formula once my breastmilk reserves are gone in our freezer (maybe 3 weeks worth right now).
Thanks in advance!

 

[point]

Hello - I just went back to work this past week (son is 12 weeks), and I am having trouble maintaining a high enough volume of milk while pumping. He has never been a frequent eater - about 6-7 times/ 24 hours. So now that I am at work, I only have 1-2 nursing sessions with him per 24 hours. I pump while at workat least 3 times, but am finding I have a significant decrease in amount while pumping. I know I will have less with pumping, but at this point if I get 3 oz between both breasts, I am having a good session.
Has anyone else had this difficulty? If so, any recommendations in improve it? At this point, I plan to try a few things I've read about, but if I don't see much improvement over the next couple of weeks, I may need to resort to formula once my breastmilk reserves are gone in our freezer (maybe 3 weeks worth right now).
Thanks in advance!

 

[point]

<p>Hello - I just went back to work this past week (son is 12 weeks), and I am having trouble maintaining a high enough volume of milk while pumping. He has never been a frequent eater - about 6-7 times/ 24 hours. So now that I am at work, I only have 1-2 nursing sessions with him per 24 hours. I pump while at workat least 3 times, but am finding I have a significant decrease in amount while pumping. I know I will have less with pumping, but at this point if I get 3 oz between both breasts, I am having a good session.
<p>Has anyone else had this difficulty? If so, any recommendations in improve it? At this point, I plan to try a few things I've read about, but if I don't see much improvement over the next couple of weeks, I may need to resort to formula once my breastmilk reserves are gone in our freezer (maybe 3 weeks worth right now).
<p>Thanks in advance!

 

[Melissa75]

The most basic question I'd start with is what kind of pump are you using? I'm a few years out of this, but had a hugely higher output for the motorized pump versus the other kinds.

Then comes questions like: are you hydrated, eating a lot, have you tried supplements like fenugreek? Have you consulted a LLL nurse who might weigh in on what's going on. My guess is that you could add a fourth pumping during the day, even if it yield 1-2 oz now, after a few days, it should yield more.

Oh, one more question, do you think your son may be drinking more at night now? (My oldest was like this.) It is possible that 3 oz 3x during the day plus heavy night nursings may be more than what he got before you went to work. Babies need less breastmilk than formula to grow and stay hydrated, and as he grows, he may be compensating with bigger feeds at night. Are using your freezer reserves to satisfy him already?

 

[Melissa75]

The most basic question I'd start with is what kind of pump are you using? I'm a few years out of this, but had a hugely higher output for the motorized pump versus the other kinds.

Then comes questions like: are you hydrated, eating a lot, have you tried supplements like fenugreek? Have you consulted a LLL nurse who might weigh in on what's going on. My guess is that you could add a fourth pumping during the day, even if it yield 1-2 oz now, after a few days, it should yield more.

Oh, one more question, do you think your son may be drinking more at night now? (My oldest was like this.) It is possible that 3 oz 3x during the day plus heavy night nursings may be more than what he got before you went to work. Babies need less breastmilk than formula to grow and stay hydrated, and as he grows, he may be compensating with bigger feeds at night. Are using your freezer reserves to satisfy him already?

 

[Melissa75]

The most basic question I'd start with is what kind of pump are you using? I'm a few years out of this, but had a hugely higher output for the motorized pump versus the other kinds.
<br />
<br />Then comes questions like: are you hydrated, eating a lot, have you tried supplements like fenugreek? Have you consulted a LLL nurse who might weigh in on what's going on. My guess is that you could add a fourth pumping during the day, even if it yield 1-2 oz now, after a few days, it should yield more.
<br />
<br />Oh, one more question, do you think your son may be drinking more at night now? (My oldest was like this.) It is possible that 3 oz 3x during the day plus heavy night nursings may be more than what he got before you went to work. Babies need less breastmilk than formula to grow and stay hydrated, and as he grows, he may be compensating with bigger feeds at night. Are using your freezer reserves to satisfy him already?
<br />

 

[point]

Hi Melissa - Tx for the quick response.... a few answers hopefully.

Medela In Style pump. Drinking A LOT of water to the point of going the bathroom quite often. The eating part I am trying to stay on top of. I just started fenugreek yesterday and hoping that adds output while pumping. I was seeing LLL in the past while at home due to yeast infection but not recently. He has slept through the night at times more recently which I think is part of the problem so I started getting up once overnight to pump starting this past weekend. He has been so tired out from daycare his first week that he has gone down at 8pm and slept until 4:30 or even 5 pm sometimes. We've always left him sleep and haven't woke him overnight for feedings. He is eating 5 oz during the day 3- 4 times while at daycare (at daycare for 8.5 to 9 hrs/day). We are using the freezer reserves and I just add my more recent bags to the freezer (doing first in first out w/ my pumped breast milk).

 

[point]

Hi Melissa - Tx for the quick response.... a few answers hopefully.

Medela In Style pump. Drinking A LOT of water to the point of going the bathroom quite often. The eating part I am trying to stay on top of. I just started fenugreek yesterday and hoping that adds output while pumping. I was seeing LLL in the past while at home due to yeast infection but not recently. He has slept through the night at times more recently which I think is part of the problem so I started getting up once overnight to pump starting this past weekend. He has been so tired out from daycare his first week that he has gone down at 8pm and slept until 4:30 or even 5 pm sometimes. We've always left him sleep and haven't woke him overnight for feedings. He is eating 5 oz during the day 3- 4 times while at daycare (at daycare for 8.5 to 9 hrs/day). We are using the freezer reserves and I just add my more recent bags to the freezer (doing first in first out w/ my pumped breast milk).

 

[point]

Hi Melissa - Tx for the quick response.... a few answers hopefully.
<br />
<br />Medela In Style pump. Drinking A LOT of water to the point of going the bathroom quite often. The eating part I am trying to stay on top of. I just started fenugreek yesterday and hoping that adds output while pumping. I was seeing LLL in the past while at home due to yeast infection but not recently. He has slept through the night at times more recently which I think is part of the problem so I started getting up once overnight to pump starting this past weekend. He has been so tired out from daycare his first week that he has gone down at 8pm and slept until 4:30 or even 5 pm sometimes. We've always left him sleep and haven't woke him overnight for feedings. He is eating 5 oz during the day 3- 4 times while at daycare (at daycare for 8.5 to 9 hrs/day). We are using the freezer reserves and I just add my more recent bags to the freezer (doing first in first out w/ my pumped breast milk).

 

[LouLou]

Are you pumping both at the same time? This will speed things up and make it easier for you to add another pumping session in. Also are you getting a strong let down feeling? If not, trying instigating that by stopping and starting the pump again or looking a picture of your sweet baby or video of him or something. I had no problems with supply (often filled the bottles I pumped into) but I'm not sure if that was towards the end of my pumping days. At 12 weeks I returned to work too and I can't remember how many times I pumped and what my output was but it was adequete for the supply. I exclusively supplied breastmilk until introducing solids (and 50/50 formula to all bottles) at 5 or 6 months.

 

[LouLou]

Are you pumping both at the same time? This will speed things up and make it easier for you to add another pumping session in. Also are you getting a strong let down feeling? If not, trying instigating that by stopping and starting the pump again or looking a picture of your sweet baby or video of him or something. I had no problems with supply (often filled the bottles I pumped into) but I'm not sure if that was towards the end of my pumping days. At 12 weeks I returned to work too and I can't remember how many times I pumped and what my output was but it was adequete for the supply. I exclusively supplied breastmilk until introducing solids (and 50/50 formula to all bottles) at 5 or 6 months.

 

[LouLou]

Are you pumping both at the same time? This will speed things up and make it easier for you to add another pumping session in. Also are you getting a strong let down feeling? If not, trying instigating that by stopping and starting the pump again or looking a picture of your sweet baby or video of him or something. I had no problems with supply (often filled the bottles I pumped into) but I'm not sure if that was towards the end of my pumping days. At 12 weeks I returned to work too and I can't remember how many times I pumped and what my output was but it was adequete for the supply. I exclusively supplied breastmilk until introducing solids (and 50/50 formula to all bottles) at 5 or 6 months.

 

[mamaScarlett]

At 12 wks, to maintain your supply you'd have to pump as many times per day as you'd BF. If you're doing 3 pumping sessions now, plus 1-2 feedings, then thats probably not enough. (Meaning, if you were with LO 24 hrs a day, you'd probably be putting in 6-7 feedings at about 15-20 mins a pop. That would lesson as LO gets older.)
I'd try to pump both sides at the same time for time's sake. And I'd do 4 pumping sessions, and make your current pumping sessions longer. Just as important:really try to relax! Bring a photo or small video of LO while you pump, or even one of his/her little blankets.

 

[mamaScarlett]

At 12 wks, to maintain your supply you'd have to pump as many times per day as you'd BF. If you're doing 3 pumping sessions now, plus 1-2 feedings, then thats probably not enough. (Meaning, if you were with LO 24 hrs a day, you'd probably be putting in 6-7 feedings at about 15-20 mins a pop. That would lesson as LO gets older.)
I'd try to pump both sides at the same time for time's sake. And I'd do 4 pumping sessions, and make your current pumping sessions longer. Just as important:really try to relax! Bring a photo or small video of LO while you pump, or even one of his/her little blankets.

 

[mamaScarlett]

<p>At 12 wks, to maintain your supply you'd have to pump as many times per day as you'd BF. If you're doing 3 pumping sessions now, plus 1-2 feedings, then thats probably not enough. (Meaning, if you were with LO 24 hrs a day, you'd probably be putting in 6-7 feedings at about 15-20 mins a pop. That would lesson as LO gets older.)
<p>I'd try to pump both sides at the same time for time's sake. And I'd do 4 pumping sessions, and make your current pumping sessions longer. Just as important:really try to relax! Bring a photo or small video of LO while you pump, or even one of his/her little blankets.

 

[point]

I am pumping both sides though I was not doing both sides last week (my first week back). I just started doing both at the same time over the weekend. He has only been eating about 5-6 times a day so I am actually pumping more times than he eats. Thanks so much for your replies. I didn't have a milk supply issue until the past few weeks when I was anticipating going back to work. So I am sure the stress isn't helping things. I usually do listen to quiet music and look at a picture of him or video of him from our camera. It usually just makes me teary while I am pumping though.

Thanks so much.

 

[point]

I am pumping both sides though I was not doing both sides last week (my first week back). I just started doing both at the same time over the weekend. He has only been eating about 5-6 times a day so I am actually pumping more times than he eats. Thanks so much for your replies. I didn't have a milk supply issue until the past few weeks when I was anticipating going back to work. So I am sure the stress isn't helping things. I usually do listen to quiet music and look at a picture of him or video of him from our camera. It usually just makes me teary while I am pumping though.

Thanks so much.

 

[point]

I am pumping both sides though I was not doing both sides last week (my first week back). I just started doing both at the same time over the weekend. He has only been eating about 5-6 times a day so I am actually pumping more times than he eats. Thanks so much for your replies. I didn't have a milk supply issue until the past few weeks when I was anticipating going back to work. So I am sure the stress isn't helping things. I usually do listen to quiet music and look at a picture of him or video of him from our camera. It usually just makes me teary while I am pumping though.
<br />
<br />Thanks so much.

 

[mamaScarlett]

I know its hard. Don't get upset or teary though! Instead of feeling sad that you're away from him, feel so proud of what you are doing! You're amazing-you are working at your job, working as a mom and wife at home, and pumping to give your baby the best start he could possibly get-you're holding down 3 jobs right now!
I always found the BF site kellymom.com incredible for BF questions. Check it out. BTW-I did use a lactation consultant and that was the best. If theres anyway you can see one, its definitely worth it.

 

[mamaScarlett]

I know its hard. Don't get upset or teary though! Instead of feeling sad that you're away from him, feel so proud of what you are doing! You're amazing-you are working at your job, working as a mom and wife at home, and pumping to give your baby the best start he could possibly get-you're holding down 3 jobs right now!
I always found the BF site kellymom.com incredible for BF questions. Check it out. BTW-I did use a lactation consultant and that was the best. If theres anyway you can see one, its definitely worth it.