Pumping for At-Home Moms

[PghMom]

Hi all,

My 6 month old has been EB from birth. We are slowly starting solids, and I'd like to get a nice reserve of expressed milk to mix in with the rice cereal and other homemade pureed foods. Would also like the option to give the occassional bottle...maybe once a week.

The problem is: when I am feeding all day, it is hard to find a time where my milk supply is high enough to pump out a decent amount. Sometimes I go through 3 or 4 cycles of the let-down phase of the Medela pump without getting anything. Other times, if my daughter has been sleeping a few hours and I haven't fed, I can get maybe an ounce.

What gives? I know my supply is adequate. DD is gaining weight excellently for her age. Should I thin the cereal/food with formula? This is just a ton of work with virtually no results.

Any help would be great...thanks.

[stys82]

Hello

Do you pump often? I pump for work but when I started It took a while of consistent pumping to get the hang of it (I'd only get an ounce also). I would also suggest pumping early in the morning, as this is when you have the most milk. If you need to, you can pump several times during the day and then combine your efforts, this will hopefully give you enough for a bottle or two to feed your lo. I'm sure you'll get more advice from other posters. In the mean time, keep trying and good luck :)

[PghMom]

Yes, I try to pump after every feed - with little luck :( Honestly - 2 oz. from the whole day if I'm lucky.

I will try to pump first thing in the morning, but my daughter eats at this time. Should I pump before or after feeding her?

[stys82]

Does she nurse on both sides or one? If you can nurse her on one side and pump on the other. If she nurses on both sides I would suggest nursing after she feeds.

Again, good luck :)

[crystal555rose]

After her first feed of the day pump. That is when the volume is the greatest.

Pumping is something your body learns over time. Pumping intermittently probably will not be successful.

I would also recommend relaxation techniques, thinking about feeding your daughter or distracting yourself by reading. You can also try adjusting the pump settings (stronger does not always equate to getting more milk out) and do hand compressions while pumping.

[debra92691]

I am doing a giveaway on my blog for the Hygeia Enjoye breastpump it is amazing I have written a review for it as well here is a link for the review and the giveaway http://familyliciousreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/hygeia-breast-pump-review-and-giveaway.html