Back to work, not enough milk. Help!

[merjay328]

I return to work in 2 days and have been trying to pump more with no luck. I've been taking Fenugreek for 2 weeks and its not working. My son will be 3 months on the 15th so another growth spurt is on its way. Can anyone help?

[dockim328]

What strenght is the fenugreek? how much are you taking? You should take 3 capsules three times a day of the 610-620. I eat oatmeal everyday, I pump about 30 min after nursing ds in the am since that's when I have alot of milk. I am taking More Milk plus and I don't find its helping that much either. When you pump you may not get alot but even if you add up all the little 1-2 oz, at the end of the day I get an extra bottle. How much is your baby drinking from a bottle. Try to add more pumping sessions in. It all adds up! hope this helps. I struggle to keep up with my ds too. Its hard work but worth it!

[merjay328]

The fenugreek is 620. I'm taking 3 three times a day. Does oatmeal help? Do you think I need a different pump? I'm using a Evenflo Comfort Select Dual. What pump do you use?My son drinks 2oz every 2 hours from a bottle but the past couple of days it seems he was nursing more frequently and he is emptying both breasts instead of just one. You know, the growth spurt!

[dockim328]

I use Medela pump in style. I think as long as its a double electric pump your good. The oatmeal does seem to help. I got that tip on the boards. Also eating oatmeal cookies. Good luck.

[CeceStar]

Oatmeal, drink lots of water, nurse and pump as much as you can. You could look into Reglan or domperidone.

[Stephanie]

Give yourself a week or so of pumping at work. Someties the trial runs before you return aren't as successful as when you are at work. How much are you pumping?

Make sure to drink plenty of water.

[_T_4_2_]

I couldn't pump at home with ds nursing. I got nothing.

When I was separated from him, then I was able to pump (for those missed nursing sessions).

At first I could only get 3-4 ounces, but after a couple of weeks and it becoming more routine, I could easily get 10 or more.

Then, I would nurse like crazy when I got home. Ds would marathon-nurse for hours. I think that kept my supply up.

And, lastly, don't stress. Do what you can and make adjustments as you go.

[sferguson17]

I found that the volume I pumped greatly increased when I returned to work. Instead of pumping btw. sessions I was pumping in place of a session. I would recommend a hands free pumping bra for when you return to work. Also try doing something else to take your mind off pumping: watch TV, read a book, surf the net, stare out the window. Are you obsessively watching the amount you pump? I've found that dramatically reduces my yield. Also try to relax & take deep breaths while getting started with the pump. Also try breast compression & massage when the flow slows down to a trickle with the pump. I found that I could get a lot more that way.

[merjay328]

Thanks for the advice.

[tracylee]

warm compresses... pump on one side while the baby nurses the other. That REALLY helped me build my milk surplus and my supply. Pump in the am... I think that is all I can remember and most of it I got from these boards! good luck and don't give up

[tracylee]

oh yeah!!.. and BEER helps too! I swear by it

[ronnilee1978]

I stayed home with my baby over the Christmas weekend and nursed exclusively, and when I returned to work (after 4 days off), I could barely pump out 2 ounces. Up until now, I was pumping anywhere from 5 - 7 ounces each time. Does anyone know why this would happen? What can I do to correct the problem?

[StElmosFire]

I stayed home with my baby over the Christmas weekend and nursed exclusively, and when I returned to work (after 4 days off), I could barely pump out 2 ounces. Up until now, I was pumping anywhere from 5 - 7 ounces each time. Does anyone know why this would happen? What can I do to correct the problem?

What about adjusting the settings on your pump? What kind of pump is it? Are you drinking enough? How often are you pumping?

[Firemom]

I would absolutely look into getting a better pump. I learned the hard way by buyiing an inexpensive pump. Meldela is a good choice.

[kyalamode]

Also, try to get enough sleep in at night (or take mini-naps in the evening if you can), eat lots of fruits and veggies and drink plenty of water. For me, if I don't get enough sleep and don't eat well, my supply plummets. I've been having a heck-of-a time trying to get it up again, even with "marathon nursing" (I love that!). It is definitely hard work (pumping during the day... between sessions, before bed, in the middle of the night, etc.), but it is worth knowing that your baby is getting breastmilk over formula.

On the flip side, if your supply doesn't keep up, try meeting w/a lactation consultant. (They usually have one wherever you birthed your baby, or through pediatric clinics.) Often there are support groups that have a consultant who will work with you and your baby on latching techniques and other things you can do to help your supply. Additionally, some women (rare) just can't breastfeed long. I've had 3 friends in the last year who couldn't breastfeed - just not enough supply. While at first they were distraught, it has worked out for them. Their babies are just as healthy, are sleeping even better through the night, and developing perfectly normally. I thought I wasn't going to be able to bf either, but luckily I've just been hanging on by a thread! There are plenty of ways to bond with your baby if your supply diminishes....

This site has a directory of consultants in your state. You might be able to find one that way. :-)

[debrosskyle]

I stayed home with my baby over the Christmas weekend and nursed exclusively, and when I returned to work (after 4 days off), I could barely pump out 2 ounces. Up until now, I was pumping anywhere from 5 - 7 ounces each time. Does anyone know why this would happen? What can I do to correct the problem?


Seems when I have several days of nursing exclusively, my supply drops for the first few days back at the pump. I try to pump a bunch and that seems to work for me.