Exclusively Pumping - Need Help

[Niko&Troi]

I'm at my witts end. I can't nurse due to an extremely bad latch. I've tried several times with several different suggestions and it just doesn't work so I'm pumping. It is time consuming but worth it.

When Troi was born 7 weeks ago, I was getting 4 oz from each breast, each session. I would freeze 4 and use 4. Well about 3 weeks ago my supply started going down, even though I'm taking Fenugreek, eating a bowl of oatmeal every morning and oatmeal cookies throughout the day.

I had to dip into my stash and all of my 90+ ounces are gone :( I tried nursing again but it is still too painful. Unfortunately I'm going to have to give formula on the next feeding :( I'm barely getting an ounce now :(

I need any advice on how to get my milk back up and any suggestions for a more efficient pump session, I'm using an Ameda Purely Yours.

TIA :D

[malala]

I don't have much advice, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry you're going thorough this!!!

All I can think of is try to see a lactation consultant, or go to a La Leche League meeting. You can search online for their schedules, also if there's no meeting around you soon enough, just give one of the leaders a call.

I hope you find help!!!

[ajb524]

((Hugs))
I went through the exact same thing. I had a wonderful supply in the beginning and then it dipped to almost nothing. Are you pumping everytime he eats? I think that was my problem. I wasn't pumping consistently every 3 hours when he would eat. One thing that did help me get more milk was to take a warm shower (having the pump ready to use as soon as I got out) and I would usually get milk then.

[LIZNKEITH]

Same thing happened to me. Some of us can't maintain our supply with the pump alone. I saw minimal result with Fenugreek, oatmeal, dark beer, etc. The best suggestion I have for you is to get a prescription of Reglan. I saw a definite boost in my supply. While it was never enough to supply my DD my BM alone, I was able to maintain roughly 1/3-1/2 of what she drank until she was a year old. I just weaned from the pump this past weekend. You can do it!!

[hmbay]

I EP for 7 months. I know i was lucky that I was able to sustain it for that long with only a few dips in supply. I agree with the PP suggestions. Two other ones to try--do anything but focus on pumping when you pump (use it as your "me" time to read, watch tv etc) so you relax more and don't tense up which will cut the amount you can pump and two--consider renting a hospital grade pump for a month. I used an Ameda PY nights and weekends and my work had a Lactina in their lactation rooms. I do truely think having the Lactina might have been part of what kept my supply higher.

Also make sure to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. If that all doesn't help don't beat yourself up. EP is very very hard. I didn't realize how hard until DS2 actually BF'd and I only pump at work. Looking back now I have no idea how I maintained an EP status for 7 months without going insane.

[LIZNKEITH]

One more thing…take it one goal at a time. I never dreamed I would pump for a year. I BF’d DD until she was 6 weeks old. Despite a correct latch, I continued to bleed and was in excruciating pain with each session. That’s when I decided to EP. My initial goal was to pump until she was 3 months old. When her 3 mo. birthday came and went, I decided to aim for 6. After 6 months, it became pretty easy for me. It was such a habit by that point and I became comfortable with the fact that I probably would never be able to give DD 100% EBM. So, I just focused on giving her what I could. At 6 months, I also took some of the pressure off myself by pumping every 2.5 hours to only pumping every 3-4 hours. That took a lot of pressure off. At 9 months old, I reduced the number of sessions to 4 a day. Before I knew it, we were celebrating her first birthday. Try not to focus on your long term goals as they can be frightening and seem so far away. Just take it one day at a time. I admire that despite the bumps you’ve hot in the road already, that you are still committed to providing your DS with BM. :)

[jcharley]

You started with alot more supply than I did, but I had to pump religously every 2 hours or less for 2-3 days to get my supply up to what it is now, which is about 4 oz every 3 hours. I also found (after having a painful clogged duct!) that if towards the end of my session I switched tot one horn and used my free hand to massage and squeeze the breast that was pumping I could get about an extra 1/2-1 oz and make sure they were really empty. I use the Ameda Purely Yours as well. Good luck, and remember that you shouldn't feel guilty about having to feed formula!!

[Franni]

I agree with what some of the others said about upping the frequency and length of pumps. I know that seems like a lot, but it'll only be a short time.

I have had all kinds of pumps - I borrowed an Medela PIS, a Medela hospital grade pumped and owned/used my Ameda. I used the Ameda the longest and thought that I would get more with the hospital pump. There was no substantial difference really.

What also helped is getting a handsfree device. It freed up my hands to do other things and I don't know if I can directly attribute my supply to it, but I know I was able to relax a lot more when I can distract myself. The hands free thing cost a pretty penny, but I think you can achieve the same effect by cutting a hole in an old bra.

all that being said....I think the attitude that I would like to share with you is from a woman I met via LLL who never had much milk even with Reglan. But she religiously pumps her few ounces and offers them to her baby. She saw it as giving her baby the best "vitamins" that she could offer. In my many moments of dipping supply, I try to remember her and the courage it must have taken her to still keep attending an LLL meeting, surrounded by nursing mother and making her baby a bottle to drink.

Some basic questions too
Are you sleeping? (well, at least a few hours a day)
Are you eating? (my supply was always affected if I skipped meal)

Take heart!!! You are doing and have done a wonderful thing. Don't be discouraged. I did EP for one year and every day is trial.

[Niko&Troi]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. It means so much to me, I'm in tears now.

I am eating regularly, actually my appetite has been up so I do eat. I am getting as much sleep as possible with a NB and toddler. I usually go to bed around 11 and get up around 8, usually waking at 3 and 6 to feed and pump.

ajb524 Showers don't help unless I'm engorged. That has happened twice.

LIZNKEITH How long were you on Reglan, what frequency? I did two rounds of it, and was exhausted. I also noticed that I was very gassy and so was Troi :/
My goals are simple, one more day of BM. I say that every night and then 'celebrate' that I did have that day.

hmbay I had a hosp rental at first. I can't tell if my supply was up cause of that or just because. I've been tossing around renting it again for a week just to see if it works.

jcharley I do one breast at a time. When I try both at the same time I get even less; if that's possible, less of barely nothing :/

Franni I've tied 3 hair things together to be hands free, a super cheap fix.

Pumping: I pump every chance I get. Sometimes it's not every 3 hours though :( My other challenge is pumping when I'm out.

Again THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

[LIZNKEITH]

How long were you on Reglan, what frequency?
A loooooong time. I was precribed it when DD was about 3 months old and stayed on it until this past weekend. I took one pill, 3 times a day. I had to stay on it because when I'd stop taking it, I'd dry up.

You're doing the right thing, taking it one day at a time. That's the best that you can do. Like one poster said, don't feel guilty if you have to supplement. Every drop of BM that your son gets is better than nothing.

[Niko&Troi]

Liz That is a long time, but it worked. It did work for me but the exhaustion was a challenge. I guess after time I'd get used to it though. I'm going to talk to my doctor again about it.

Forgot earlier, when I pump, I try my hardest not to concentrate on what I'm getting/not getting. Like this morning at 4, Brian was giving Troi a bottle so I pumped. I literally fell asleep while pumping cause I had it secured to my bra. I only got 1/4 of an ounce though.
I'm actually pumping right now :D When the boys are asleep and I'm pumping, I take advantage of that time to visit here and do other things online.