Breast Pump/making Enough Milk

Okay this might seem strange, but you could try eating something with brewers yeast in it. One of the Juice places like Jamba Juice has it and can add it. My M. says that increases milk production. I did it and it did seem to help. Also if you are drinking soda or caffiene drinks that can decrease the amount of milk that you will have.

The previous post mentions great supplements you can take to help with milk production. The only thing I wanted to chime in on was don't think that what you get from a pump is what your baby gets. I've nursed two kids so far from birth - 2+years old and have tried a hospital grade pump for a few weeks at a time with both in hopes to store some breastmilk in the freezer "just in case" well, I was lucky to get one ounce in 20-30 minutes time if even that.

I also agree with the LC you spoke to, if you can avoid pumping all together and just let baby build up your milk supply this would be best. This also means nursing on demand and taking really good care of yourself as well.

Purchasing a used pump is sanitary, you purchase the kit which has the hoses, suction things, containers, etc..which is all new.

Congrats on being proactive and trying to make this work.
Best wishes,
M.

Mother's milk tea, oatmeal and fenugreek. Nurse frequently not on a schedule. What you pump does not equal what you are producing, but you also describe a hungry baby. Supplementing is kind of a negative feedback loop. A non supplemented baby goes through a "growth spurt" and he nurses more and is a bit fussy because there isn't enough milk. Over a couple of days the supply increases. If you supplement during a growth spurt because he's extra hungry (which he is) then the body doesn't increase production to meet his needs. I'm not suggesting that this is what went on, just that it is a common problem, especially when your confidence is blown with supply problems. Find a local support group. Our hospital had one and it kept me going and on the right track, dispelling myths that people were telling me and encouraging me. I bought a medela lactina from ebay for about $300 which is larger than the pump in style and is considered a "multi user" pump if you just buy the parts. I resold it when I was done for about the same amount. A pump in style is cosidered a single user pump ... something about gaskets or valves that "could" allow backflow of germs. I think I would use a pump in style from someone I knew, but I'm a germaphobe for stranger's germs and a tiny baby. I'm not an LC, but I think the not pumping in the first month has to do with a fear that you'll actually send your supply into "oversupply" which though it may sound good to you right now can be devastating to a nursing relationship. Check out "breastfeeding.com" and kellymom for additional info. Good luck. Have confidence.

I've only had one baby, but my milk production was problematic and I ended up doing alot of pumping to supplement--starting at week 2. My daughter was not gaining enough weight so i was pumping in between feeding to up my supply and give it to her in bottles after she nursed. it worked, and by about 8 weeks I didn't have to do the supplemental pumping/feeding. There is an art and a science to breastfeeding, and I've learned it is not easy for everyone. I really encourage you to seek the assistance of a lactation consultant, again, even though you may feel your past LC didn't help. I recommend the Pump Station in Santa Monica. My pediatrician recommended I go there in fact, although I went there while still pregnant to get information. They have breastfeeding support groups and one-on-one lactation consultations. I would not have made it past the first couple of weeks had I not gone to the Pump Station every week for the first 4 months. It's important to know there are others out there that are struggling too. And I made some lasting friendships with other moms as a bonus.

Good Luck!

I can only give my own experience. My first baby was born in Germany almost 50 years ago, and they believed strongly in breast feeding, unlike the US at that time. She had a cleft lip and palate and couldn't nurse. Also she had to be kept in the hospital for several months. I pumped and supplied the milk to the hospital. At the end, my milk was feeding about three babies. The German nurses were in awe, because i was a very small person. I ate tremendous amounts of yogurt, drank a lot of milk, fruit juice, etc. I don't know if that helped, but it was unlike the usual German diet.

When I had more children in the US, I had to overcome the prejudice against breast feeding, and demand that the baby not be given sugar water in the hospital. I insisted on having the babies brought to me as often as possible, and just kept at it until the milk supply adjusted. I pumped when needed as well, and that increased the milk supply. But I always relied as well on a diet that included lots of liquids, including drinking milk myself.

sounds like you've gotten some great advice. I myself am a certified lactation educator. i won't go into much detail of what to do, because as you can see, there are several different things to try. it's great that you're preparing yourself for when the baby actually gets here. but you won't know what will work until you're there.

so, my advice is to get in touch with a specialist that understands your desires and goals and is willing to work with what you want and what works for you.

good luck! and feel free to contact me if you need anything.

I don't really have any more advice to contribute since the input that you've received have come from really great sources. I just wanted to come here and give you kudos for trying so hard. I have SO much respect for women who pump breastmilk. As a former breastfeeding M. (I ebf'd for a little 2 years), I know how hard it is to pump. There is definitely a certain amount of dedication that pumping moms have that I truly admire.

Good for you!!!

J.

Dear Robyn,

I would like to introduce myself. Please do not get discouraged when I tell you I am also a board certified lactation consultant. I have been practicing for over 15 years and I personally had alot of problems with my first child. She did not breastfeed until she was 3 weeks old and it was in a Subway restaurant. Needless to say at the effort I had put into this "wonderful experience". She started fussing and crying and I had no bottle. I thought what is the worse thing that could happen. I almost jumped up and announced SHE IS BREASTFEEDING!!!! I changed my mind though, figuring maybe that would be a little uncomfortable for the patrons.
I have to admit at the time I had taught women to breastfeed for almost 2 years before I had my first child. How hard could it be? Lets just say thats when my opinion changed in regards to breastfeeding.
I would like to mention breastfeeding does not have to mean exclusive breastfeeding. I have had adoptive mothers who had been able to lactate with just pumping. It took a few months of pumping 6-8 times a day. There is even medication and herbs that can be taken to increase your supply. The most important phase of developing a good milk supply is the first 3 weeks.
Though I would like to recommend the pump in style but these are for single usage only. The worst case scenario is developing a case of herpes, Tb, aids,ect. Boiling will not kill some forms of infections. I know it is unlikely to happen but I would rather aid on the side of caution.

I would be happy to converse with you over the phone or the net. I have worked with The WIC Program for over 14 years and even some of my coworkers were not happy with me taking 3 (15 minute) pumping brakes a day. I had a problem with the letdown and even with low milk supply. I was able to only pump 1 oz. total and I was unable to exclusively breastfeed. However, neither child weaned on their own. I had decided enough was enough. They were both 2 years old. So, I guess my children adjusted to my supply with occasional pumping (from 6-9 months. After that I no longer pumped). I was very lucky to be able to take my children to work with me UNTIL THEY WERE 6 MONTHS OLD. Lucky Me, yes I agree. The other side of that coIN is NEVER ANY ME TIME.
I have a sink full of dishes and children to get to bed. However, my work cell phone (which is paid by WIC) as a breastfeeding hotline. ###-###-#### or email me some more information along with due date. I will be happy to talk with you but sometimes it helps to write down your questions as you think of them before we talk again.

H. Bushy
IBCLC

p.s. I UNDERSTAND THE REASONING THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT NOT PUMPING WITH IN THE FIRST MONTH AFTER DELIVERY. THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS M. WILL GIVE UP TRYING TO LATCH THE BABY ONTO THE BREAST. SOMETIMES PUMPING TAKES OVER SOME MOTHERS AND THEY FIND IT EASIER INITIALLY. bUT AFTER A FEW WEEKS OR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. OFTEN MOTHERS WILL WEAN DUE TO THE HASSLE OF PUMPING. PUMPING HAS A TIME AND PLACE. THIS CAN ALSO INCLUDE THE FIRST FEW DAYS OR WEEKS OF YOUR CHILD'S LIFE. MY JOB IS TO GET THE BABY FED, MY NEXT JOB IS TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL WITH BREASTFEEDING. IT MAY BE VERY TIME CONSUMING AND EXHASTING THE FIRST 3 WEEKS. IF YOU CAN MAKE IT TO WEEK 4, YOU SHOULD HAVE NO MORE CONCERNS WITH BREASTFEEDING AND OR EVEN SUPPLEMENTING IF THE NEED ARISES.

I don`t know about any kind of pumping.... I only used Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea. Herbs tea without preservatives really helped me to boost milk production constantly. It`s Amazing ;)