Low milk supply

[lstto4]

When I first started to pump, I was pumping 5 oz on both sides, now Im down to 2oz total. I had to start supplementing, but I still pump and or nurse every 2 hours, and every 4 at night. My mother in law mentioned that her Dr. said that when she was nursing recomended a beer a day for increasing milk supply. Or eating alot of oatmeal will help. I tried Fenugreek, but it made my son very fussy. Any advice?

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

How old is your baby? What kind of pump do you use? If it's a Medela, when is the last time you changed the white membranes? Are you pumping because you work during the day and you need to pump for daycare? How much expressed milk does your baby take while you're gone?

Can you tell me what your pumping routine is? Have you tried breast compressions (http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html) while pumping? That can help maximize your output. Trying to pump at the same time every day will also help, as your body gets used to a routine and knows what to expect.

I would not recommend beer, as alcohol can have the opposite effect on milk production.

If you can provide more information I may be able to offer some additional suggestions. Try not to confuse low pumping output with low milk supply. As long as your baby is gaining appropriately, your milk supply is fine. Some women just aren't able to pump well even if their supply is fine.

[lstto4]

My son is 1 month old. I am pumping so I can store milk for when I return to work, but I cant get enough to bother doing that. I read these articles that some women can pump 6to 10oz a sitting, it gets discouraging because I spend the whole day pumping or nursing and nothing is helping it. I have the Medela Pump in style, I just got new white membranes from the hospital b/c the ones I had were torn. I havent tried the compressions yet. My son will eat 2-3 oz of breastmilk every 3 hours that Im gone.

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

Being able to pump 6-8 oz at a time is a LOT and you should not expect to be able to pump that much. If you're pumping between feedings, while still at home and nursing your baby, you should not expect to be able to pump a lot because your baby is regularly draining your breasts. I would say that being able to pump 2 oz. between feedings is perfectly normal, and not indicative of a supply problem. Many women are able to pump much more in the early weeks because their bodies are producing way more than they need. Your body is adjusting, based on your baby's needs, and no longer overproduces. As long as he's gaining appropriately, you should not be concerned that your supply is low.

Once you go back to work and are pumping INSTEAD OF feedings, you will probably find that you can pump a bit more. If you're pumping every 3-4 hours at work, you should probably expect to be able to pump 2-4 oz. at a time. Some women just don't respond well to the pump and may need to pump more than once to get enough for a feeding. That can be normal.

If you're trying to build up a freezer store, I'd recommend trying to pump first thing in the morning when your supply is at its greatest. Try pumping on one side while you nurse on the other - your baby will help stimulate better letdowns.

Do not get discouraged that you cannot pump 6-8 oz. at a sitting. That's NOT normal or common to be able to pump that much!