trying to increase supply by pumping

[srtarita]

My lo was born on 4-30-08- and from the start the dr. wanted me to supplement with formula, she figured I wasn't producing enough milk for my daughter since she lost some weight in the begining. at birth she weighed 6lbs 7oz., at her one week visit she droped to 5lbs 13 oz, then the following week she went up to 6lbs 3 oz. - the dr. had me supplement with an ounce of formula after each feeding at the breast. As time went on I would continue to give my lo my breast along with the formula(per the dr.) so now all my lo wants is the bottle. I try to give her my breast but now she just tugs on my nipple (ouch!) but I really want to bf her or at least supplement one formula bottle with breast milk. I'm currenty back at work (2 wks now) and I'm lucky my co. offers a nursing room with a medela lactina double pump, I'm hoping to pump enough for my lo. I've only been able to pump since her birth an ounce the whole day and that is from both breasts:( which I do give to her; I'm currently having less then that. I'm taking mothers milk plus capsules (3x's 2 pills- I weigh 210) plus the mothers milk tea and fenugreek tea- I'm trying to boost my supply, I've only started this since last wednesday. Am I on the right track or is this a waste of time? Any other things I can do to bump up my supply. Also I'm drinking water like crazy at least 2 liters of it a day:)

[debbie_page]

1st of all, you can cut back on the water. Too much will decrease your supply.
2nd: you are not wasting your time or your energy. Goat's Rue is another thing to add to the equation as we think it works by laying down more milk producing cells.
Can you power pump for 48 hours(the weekend?), pump as many times as you possibly can for 5 minutes a t a time and stay skin to ski with her as much as possible.
Bottle feed first and finish the feeding at the breast.

[srtarita]

Thank you Debbie. I will sure try the powe pump this weekend. So would I just pump for 5 mins. every hour or 2 hours? And I'll will give her the breast after the bottle, I'll try; she does tug at me now and she doesn't even want to latch on but I'll keep at it. Thank you again:)

[debbie_page]

Yes every 1-2 hours. Be patient with her and don't force the breast. Once your supply increases she'll prefer the breast!!

[srtarita]

That will be great! Thank you so much Debbie, you have given me hope:)

[debbie_page]

Remember that women that have never even had a baby can induce lactation through pumping. Hang in there and join a support group for breastfeeding mothers!!

[srtarita]

I did not know that; wow the human body is amazing! Thank you Debbie:)