Working Mom needs Pumping Advice

[luamy]

I'm on my 4th week of pumping at work, I pump 2-3 times a day. The first pump of the day I usually get 5 ounces, the seond pump I get 3 ounces and the third pump I get 2-3 ounces. Obviously I'm having to supplement 2-3 bottles of formula at daycare. I've just assumed I have low milk supply and it's my destiny to have to supplement. But recently I've been reading it could have to do with my pump. I'm using a Medela Single Deluxe Breastpump that I bought used when my first son was born two years ago. I also had a hard time getting enough milk while pumping for him. So my question....do the more expensive double pumps really work that much better? I don't mind spending the money if it will increase the amount of milk I'm able to pump. I think it's very important to give him breastmilk as long as I can. Your input is appreciated. Thanks.

[RedheadbyChoice]

First, it doesn't sound like you have a low supply at all; those are actually excellent pump outputs.

And I'd definitely suggest a double electric pump, absolutely.

Sorry, I'm short on time......but here are a few links for you:

bottlefeding the breastfed baby (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html)

how much expressed milk will my baby need? (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html)

increasing pump output (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html)

working and pumping tips (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-pumping.html)

[hotlama]

I started out with a cheap Evenflo pump from Walmart and I can definitely tell the different now that I have a better pump.

[beth_mom]

I'm having issues too. I'm lucky if I can get an ounce out of each side at a time. I have a medela pump in style. I used to get almost two ounces out of one side. My left never seems to produce as much as my right.

The only thing I can think of is more stress at work. And this just stresses me more! Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

[RedheadbyChoice]

Beth.....peruse those links I posted above.

How often are you pumping? Are you taking fenugreek or anything along those lines?

[beth_mom]

I'm guilty of not realizing those links were there. Thanks so much for posting them.

I was drinking mothers milk tea - I have to buy more. (it has fenugreek in, I think). I'm pumping 3 times a day. I'm only just barely keeping enough in the freezer for the following week, which is what makes me nervous. I only work MWF, so I am having a hard time establishing a pattern - esp since my daughter doesn't have a regular feeding pattern yet. (I let her feed when she wants). Timewise, they're getting spaced out more, but not lining up with when I think I need to pump at work. I have one pumping session in the am that I try to do everyday -- I get the most from that for obvious reasons.

I'm considering pumping more often for less time during the word day. I read through one of those links you posted. I will have to read more later.

Thanks for the information. I never realized how challening this would be, physically and mentally.

[RedheadbyChoice]

Yes, yes, pumping more often will help; it's the frequency that helps.

Also, a tincture from this site: Kerry's Herbals (http://www.kerrysherbals.com/) could help as well. I've never used it, but know many who have and have been very pleased with it.

Depending on how long babe sleeps for naps and at night, you could add a session or two that way; say, an hour into a nap, or an hour after babe goes to bed at night. And even when you're home with babe, finding time for a few sessions a day will keep your body accustomed to the pump as well. You could pump in the AM, after babe is done nursing, concentrating on the side she didn't take as much from, mom's supply tends to be higher in the middle of the night/first thing in the AM.

[gobucks1013]

Also, a tincture from this site: Kerry's Herbals (http://www.kerrysherbals.com/) could help as well. I've never used it, but know many who have and have been very pleased with it.

The Nursing Mothers Blend. Used it, loved it, had great results with it! It tastes like crap, but if you mix it with 2-3 oz of juice (I used cran-raspberry) it goes down MUCH better! :)

And yes, getting an electric double pump so that you can pump both boobs at the same time will help tremendously. Not sure why, but it does help. Increased pumping frequency should help and when you do pump, try to pump for about 5 min after the milk flow stops. This will act as increased demand and cue your body to increase supply. Compressing your breasts as you pump to kinda "squeeze" the milk out is another good trick. ;)

Hope you see improved results soon!

[Stephanie]

First, what you are getting is completely normal (both of you). I will have to say, that a double electric pump produces much better results for many women and is much more efficient time wise.

How much is your baby eating while you are at work? DCP often overfeed breastfed babies because they are used to formula fed babies. It is something to keep in mind. Sleepy/cranky cues can be misread as hungry cues. Pacis can often help a working mom because bottle feeding takes so much less time than nursing. Baby may take a minute to realize they are full.

I would pump once-twice a day on the weekend (first thing in the morning, try to feed baby on one side and then pump both) and squeeze in a session after baby goes to bed.

Check out the pumping boards, too. There is lots of information and lots of moms who have had supply issues and worked through them.

[Shaunsmom]

One thing that helps my milk supply is eating oatmeal. Somedays I make a drinkable mix of oatmeal and soy milk...other days, I just eat a nice hot cup of it in the morning at work.

Really does wonders for my output in my morning pumping. I'm not sure what the medical back up is on this and frankly, for me it doesn't matter. You may not see results right away....but keep eating oatmeal in whatever food you can:)

Is there anyway you can relax more before pumping? I take a break, get my pump together, think of baby/look at her pics, and usually hop online here to bfing.com.

Good luck!

[klynnw]

Get the double pump!!!!! It's totally worth it. It saves time and it helps get every last drop. I have had much better luck with it than single pumping and I've had less clogged ducts and fewer problems with letdown. I don't know if this is possible where you work, but every time I'm away, I always have dh shoot me a text that says "ate" every time ds eats so I know I need to fit a pumping for that feeding. That way I stay on ds's schedule and I am always replacing the bottle in our stash.

[dodoe80]

For oatmeal you can also eat granola bars.

[RedheadbyChoice]

You can eat oatmeal cookies, too. :)

[Tufftitty]

Your pump output sounds really good, but I understand wanting a safety margin if you can get it.

I definitely agree about the double pump. When I first came back to work, I had a double pump, but only enough parts to pump one breast at a time. (Stupidly I thought I had to use a fresh set each time.) Anyway, my output doubled when the new parts came in and I strapped on my hands free pumping apparatus & double pumped. Some of that had to do with more time to pump since I was pumping both at once.

Also, if you decide to get a Medela PIS, I strongly recommend looking into larger flanges (or horns). They come in a variety of sizes, and I've tried every one they have. I found the 30mm work best for me, but everyone is different. I saw a good suggestion somewhere about expressing milk by hand, and figuring out where the best location on your breast was for that, then matching the flange size to that.