Ask:
Hi. I have a friend who recently started pumping milk for her 8 month old baby. She says it was going well for the first two weeks but now she's getting less than an ounce. She tried fenugreek to increase her milk supply and it didn't help.
I've sent her links to the La Leche League website and some tips from a breastfeeding book I have, but I'm kind of lost beyond that since I've never really had to pump for either of my boys.
Also, has anyone ever had their supply go down to less than an ounce and still been able to get it to come back?
Any tips or suggestions?
Thanks!
Answer:
i never pumped well. I mean my supply was there but i would only get an ounce out or so. so I never pumped. but that is weird it was going good and then stopped...has she tried nursing her baby? is her baby able to get enough out?
Answer:
I didn't breastfeed but pumped for 10 1/2 months for dd and never had much of a problem. It varied but never got that low. For ds I breastfed for a little while but he was always hungry so I also pumped for him but only for 3 1/2 months because I started to only get about 2 ounces but my left breast was always less than the right one. I decided to stop because it was a lot of work with having two kids now and only getting that little. Is she keeping a consistent schedule like every 3 hours? I pumped every 2-3 hours to keep the milk supply up. Is her thyroid alright? I know my endocronologist said that can effect the supply. Is she eating enough? That's all I can think of for now.
Answer:
I don't actually know her personally, she is a friend of a friend and was referred to me because they knew I had experience with breastfeeding and thought I might be able to help (I just don't know much about pumping).
I asked her (via email) if she was still breastfeeding or just pumping now and haven't gotten a response yet. I would assume that if she still is, it's probably not a supply problem per se but rather a problem adjusting to the difference between her baby actually nursing and using the pump. That would be my guess at least.
Answer:
I exclusively pumped for 13 months for our youngest DD. Never could get the hang of breastfeeding with overly large breasts. Some of the issues that she could be experiencing is not pumping consistantly (every 2-3 hours), not enough food or water, tired, stressed, stressed about pumping, she may need to try a different pump (I used a hospital grade Medela pump), let down problems. I would tell her to talk with a lactation consultant who is knowledgable about pumping, they may be hard to come by but they are out there.
Answer:
The last post had some great feedback. You did good by referring her to La Leche. Pumping doesn't yield as much as baby gets directly by nursing. She could be getting sick (pumping doesn't empty the breast like nursing does, either). That's one of my first signs. Decongestants lower the quantity. Dehydration definitely lowers the quantity and quality, as does not eating and sleeping right. I wouldn't go the fenugreek path if it can be avoided. Been there, done that. I had side effects, as did baby, and the maple syrup smell was quite interesting. I've never heard of it helping once breastfeeding has been established, but there are those who say it worked for them. I had strangers in the store, on more than one occasion, suggest beer. I don't like beer anyway, but can you say Ouch! gassy baby? Stress can also hurt the supply. Wishing luck to you and her!
Answer:
I nursed all six of mine...most for well over a year. I also kept a supply of pumped bottles in the freezer for all but one. That one, no matter what I did, what pump I used, etc....NOTHING worked to get that milk to let down. She was a plump, happy baby, so SHE could get it, but I just could not pump. I even tried nursing her on one side and pumping on the other. I had enough milk to only nurse one side and then go three hours and let them nurse on the other..so that should have worked. NOPE! It is SO frustrating...and I feel for her. I hope she finds something that will work, but if not, she may need to go to formula part time and still nurse her baby when she is able.
Answer:
Thanks for the great replies ladies. I have passed on the information. If anyone has any more suggestions, please let me know.
Answer:
the only suggestions that I have is I had to stick to when I would feed her reg if I wasn't at work it it was every 3 hours I had to pump every 3 hours to keep my supply also relaxing is a big part of it. If she is not realaxed it is not going to happen. I hope this helps. Also a good pump is a must.