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professor of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology at the
University of Rochester. She is also director of the
university's Breastfeeding and Human
Lactation Study Center. Dr. Lawrence has answered many of your
medical questions about breastfeeding
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"Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession,"
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one of eight doctors who helped the American Academy of
Pediatrics draft its 1997
policy statement supporting breastfeeding.
Is pumping affecting my
supply?
| NAME: |
Saskia |
| BABY'S NAME: |
Madeline |
| BABY'S AGE: |
8.5 months
|
|
BIRTH WEIGHT: |
7 lbs, 1 oz
|
|
CURRENT WEIGHT: |
18 lbs |
I
am a full-time working mom and I express breastmilk for my
daughter twice each day while I am away from her. I was told by
one lactation consultant that my milk supply may decrease over
time under these circumstances, and by another that it should
not.
In fact, my supply does seem to have diminished to the point
that I am considering giving my daughter one bottle of formula
as a supplement to the approximately 22-25 ounces of breastmilk
she drinks each day. Although she seems to be thriving, I don't
know how much longer my supply will be able to keep up with her
daily needs. Does it make sense that being away from her and
pumping over the course of six months has affected my supply,
and is there anything I can do to increase it? Thanks!
It
is possible to maintain your milk supply over time while pumping
at work. What facilitates this is to be consistent about the
time it is done and the length of time that is involved. Be sure
that when you are at home on the weekends or on your day off
that you feed your baby or pump at these same times. Using a
double electric pump usually results in better milk production.
On the other hand, with the stresses of work, the fatigue
involved with adding work to child care responsibilities, it is
not surprising that you milk supply may diminish.
Continuing to nurse with the baby will be very important to
continuing your overall milk production. The tricks that work to
improve milk production are more rest, stress reduction, and
relaxation, which may not be an option to a working mother.
You have nursed your baby for 8 1/2 months - a great
accomplishment for a working mother. You should not feel bad
about having to add a bottle at this time, while you continue to
nurse while you are with Madeline. It sounds like you are doing
a terrific job!
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