Building up Milk Supply?

First of all, what you pump has nothing to do with how much you make. Some people don't respond well to the pump. It is also a "learned skill". But if you're getting 1 oz when your child is 3 weeks old, that is GOOD! Plus, you're pumping AFTER she eats, which is good to help increase supply, but you're not going to see much in the pumping output. How do you know she's eating 5 oz? That's a lot for a newborn. Remember that if you're feeding formula from a bottle, they will often gorge themselves because it is so much easier than nursing (they have to actually work to get milk out when nursing!). And that's not the best thing for your supply.

If you want to make sure you have enough, the best thing is NURSE ON DEMAND. There is nothing better. At 3 weeks old, you'll be dealing with growth spurts (typically at 3, 6, and 9 weeks, and 3, 6 and 9 months), where she'll want to eat all the time. That's fine. It's nature's way of making your supply meet her demand! Don't schedule her nursing, don't watch the clock, don't limit her. THAT is what gives you a good supply. Most people, when nursing on demand, don't need to do anything else to keep up their supply.

In addition, make sure you are drinking plenty of water!

Mother's milk tea is a good tool to use, but you don't need that right now. Also, eating oatmeal every morning can help, but again, you need to focus on feeding her whenever she asks (and BTW, even comfort nursing - which a lot of people refuse to do - helps your supply!).

So forget drugs, forget herbs, forget about how much you pump. Just feed her on demand and that's your best bet. (And again, pumping 1 oz at 3 weeks AFTER she eats is EXCELLENT output!).

Also, the BEST way to tell if your baby is getting enough is through diaper output. This is better than weighing her. She needs 4-5 sopping wet diapers a day at this age and poo diapers vary for breastfed infants. I'd say if you're changing her every 2 hours and her diapers are wet each time, she's getting enough. Here's a handy chart: http://www.kellymom.com/store/freehandouts/enoughmilk01.pdf

It honestly sounds like you're doing fine. If you want to pump, I'd do it on one side while she's eating from the other. She can always get more from you than the pump. But also don't fret about pumping. Right now worry about feeding her on demand. But if she's already 11 lbs, it sounds like she's gaining well!!! www.kellymom.com is an excellent resource for breastfeeding, authored by an Independent Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and featuring articles from the best known experts in the field (and MANY LLL people). This page can help you find answers to any questions you may have. Read up on it. I guarantee you'll get much better info this way. You'll get differing opinions from lay people, and even pediatricians don't study that much about breastfeeding. Your best sources of info are lactation consultants, La Leche League leaders, and this website. http://www.kellymom.com/breastfeeding/index.html

**ETA I only noticed one other person say to feed her whenever she wants, but I want you to know all lactation consultants and breastfeeding experts will agree that FEEDING ON DEMAND is the best way to have an adequate supply. And FYI, most people can have an adequate supply without supplementing if they just feed on demand.

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Congratulations on your new arrival! I wouldn't worry too much about your milk supply. Just make sure she is eating for at least 10-15 minutes on each side. the longer she nurses and the more milk she takes, the more you will make. it's a supply and demand schedule for your body. Just keep going. You're doing good. Just make sure you are drinking PLENTY of water and juice, and NO caffeiene. Caffeine and sugar make a really big difference in your milk supply. It will seem like she's starving sometimes, but like you said, it may just be a growth spurt and you just have to keep feeding her and your body will know what to do. Good luck and congratulations!

One of the things I did (had the same problem) was to let my baby nurse for at least 20 minutes on the first side. The hind milk comes in later and is the most fattening and filling. Usually, one breast would satisfy, then I would pump the other side. The next time he was hungry, I fed him from the side that was pumped the last time. I got the most bang for my buck that way, and he was the most satisfied. the milk that comes in first is more watery, to satisfy thirst, then the creamy stuff comes in. The lactation specialist told me that the hind milk was the desert--most satisfying and fattening!

There is also the tea and fenugreek if your supply is truly low, but it sounds like your supply is actually right on track!

Good luck. Also, it's important to not stress too much. If building up a stash is really important to you, you can supplement with a little formula every now and then, but try getting the hind milk in her first and see if it helps.

A. Don't stress B. there are tea and supplements out there that can help increase supply C. Are you using a hospital grade pump? You can rent them. D. talk to a lactation consultant, your OB should have one.

Hi L., Eat syrup, its an remedy my grandma passed down, I didn't have a problem with milk supply and when I'd eat syrup with my pancakes the milk would come and I'd have to go pump it out.

Hi L.,
It sounds like you are wearing yourself out! The key to more milk is not pumping. It's feeding baby on demand... as much as she wants, as long as she wants, as often as she wants. However, not knowing more about your health and history there are more questions to ask. If you would like a FREE phone consultation to help you with a plan that fits your individual family/need feel free to call me.
(Just mention Mamasource)
Kimberly, Lactation Specialist, CLE
T.
###-###-####

I was told to pump for 20 min every three hours to build up my supply - even throughout the night. I pumped and bottle fed. When you get a good supply established you can skip a pumping here and there and pump until empty rather than 20 min. It's supply and demand for the most part. Also make sure you have a good pump and it's a lot easier to double pump rather than pump one side at a time. You can rent one from the hospital that's awesome!

Definitely try the fenugreek! I nursed my son for nearly two years and every time my supply started waning I'd take it for a couple of days and find myself with more milk than he could drink! It worked for a friend too who was on the verge of giving up breastfeeding because her daughter wasn't gaining...I gave her a bottle and within three days, she was having to pump to get rid of the excess (and was able to continue nursing for nearly nine months)!

Hi L. - I had the exact same thing with both of my girls! I gave up on the first after 2 weeks because it was much better just having a happier baby, pumped some, but not much. With the 2nd I stuck to my guns a little more and was doing what you are until the point I didn't feel like I was getting to enjoy her at all. Everything centered around breast, pump and supplement, small break and back again. After 4 weeks I switched to formula. My girls are now 9 and 5, very healthy, happy well adjusted kids. I think it's just one of those sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Don't be afraid to give it up. For me, I decided stuggling and bonding time outweighed the need to breastfeed.

D.

This happened to me also....drink the mother's milk tea...you have to drink alot of it. Also, you need to put the baby on your breast more often and to have her nurse for 20 min each side....the pumping isn't going to make you produce milk like the baby will. I gave up after a month, I wasn't producing and she was drinking so much more than I could give. The whole nursing, pumping, then feeding her a bottle thing was too crazy for me, I also have a 3 year old who needs me.
I had a lactation consultant, Cheryl at Special Addition in Austin. She was sooo great and supportive. You should give them a call and tell her you situation, she will be able to guide you. Seriously give them a call! It is sooo worth it!

Start upping your water supply...A LOT!!!! Also breastfeed her longer on each side and continue pumping after each feeding. You can also try drinking Mother's Milk tea...found at most health food stores. Good Luck and keep at it!

I was also going to suggest the Mother's Milk Tea, it works really well.

The only way to truly build up your milk supply is to breastfeed. I would let her feed for 15 to 20 min for now on each side instead of pumping - or add a feeding or two when convenient. She sucks better than any pump will and your body should comply after a few days. When breastfeeding and your kid goes through a growth spurt the only way for your body to catch up is that it needs to know it needs to catch up. Increase feedings to every 2 hours for about 3-4 days. Then your body will catch up and you can go back to every 3 hour feedings until her next growth spurt. Some kids also just need to feed more often. In general every 3 hours, but some need every 2 hours regularly. Each kid is different. My mom says my sister went for a while needing it every hour (and my mom had 5 kids so it wasn't inexperience talking). Your daughter may need to nurse more often. But, it probably is just a growth spurt.

I have never been very good at pumping with any of my 3 kids--I just can't get a lot out. I don't think I even tried to pump until my first baby was a couple of months old (and I never bothered at all with my next two), but when I did, it worked best if I did it first thing in the morning, on only one side (for some reason it was easier to get milk out of one side rather than the other). I found that once the breast was mostly emptied from the baby nursing, I wasn't likely to get much out from pumping, so I pumped the "good" side first thing in the morning, then let my baby nurse, first on the side I couldn't pump well and then on the one I did pump. I never HAD to supplement with bottles, though, so I didn't need a huge supply of milk in the freezer. Hope that helps.

Your getting more than I did. I only got half an ounce for the entire day. I was also told no peppermint. I should eat alot of oatmeal as this increases milk perduction. I was also told that the type of pump I used wasnt very good on breasts so they rented me a better one. Contact your local lelecha leauge (sp). I have also heard about a supplement that mommas take. I forget the name but I am sure another momma knows. Keep it up. I gave up after six weeks of trying and only getting drops at a time. Best of luck with this and CONGRATS on your baby!

I would just skip out on pumping for now unless you need to. The more you nurse her, the more milk you will produce. It works like supply and demand. Sometimes you may not feel like your baby is getting enough, but as long as she is gaining weight properly and having enough wet diapers throughout the day, then she's fine. Also, it is so hard to get milk out right after you feed her. The milk that you are getting out when you pump does not reflect how much she is getting. The baby can get more milk out than you can get from the pump. It's really hard to pump when they are that young, because they are nursing so much. I hope I helped!

Drink lots of liquids, water, fruit juice this should help. Good luck with both breast feeding and getting more milk.

If the baby is growing normally (and 11 pounds sounds good) and sleeping well and not hungry, you have enough milk. How do you know she's getting 5 oz if you're nursing? I nursed 2 for over a year each, and they were great. I could never get more than an ounce or so if I tried to pump after, but the babies thrived on nursing. When she goes through a growth spurt, and she will, she'll demand to nurse more often for a couple of days, and that will build up your supply to match her needs. The only problem I had was with the middle child who had a bad suck, and I had to supplement with him. I never could pump successfully, but the other 2 babies did great without my pumping. Just keep nursing, with a bit of pumping after for some emergency milk for the freezer.

Don't worry so much--while your milk supply may be in, pumping is a whole different story and that often takes time to build up a supply. It is not unusual to only be able to pump a small amount in the beginning. Especially if you are pumping right after a feeding --pumping doesn't trigger your body exactly like a baby would, so your body needs time to get used to the pump. you might try waiting until in between a feeding to see if you get more. Also, let her feed as long as she wants, don't stop her just to pump--this will definitely mess up your body. Remember, babies will go through growth spurts especially around 2-3 weeks and it may seem like your baby is feeding forever, but this also helps build your supply. Again, that is why it is soooo important that your baby nurses as much as she wants before you even pump. You can always call a lactation consultant too. Most moms think their supply is low, but in fact it's not at all--growth spurts, diet, etc play a role. So don't give up. If you are truly concerned about pumping--you can rent a hospital grade pump which is a more advanced pump and is often used to help moms build their milk supply. good luck.

If you are getting an ounce out of each breast immediately after you feed her then you are doing pretty well. I have a 2 month old and I pump one hour after I feed him to allow my supply to build back up some before I pump and then build back up again when he needs to eat again. It takes a while for your body to get used to the demand you are now asking of it - the more consitent you are with your feeding and pumping schedule the more your body will respond with what you need. My Ob/Gyn also recommended to me to take some herbs - fenugreek, bitter fennel, aniseed, blessed thistle - I drink a tea that has all of that in it called Mother's Milk and it seems to help. Make sure you are drinking lots of fluid as well - my grandmother tells me to drink a beer a day because the yeast helps milk production - I did it with my daughter and it seemed to help, but I have not done it with my son.

Are you weighing her before and after feedings? I never pumped more then an ounce at a time...I'm a really bad pumper! I had 4 sections, and the first two I gave up after two weeks of pumping and breast feeding and bottle feeding so you have one week up on me! The third I didn't even bother pumping and used formula while breastfeeding (eventually only 4 oz formula a day till she was eating solids.) But the fourth I was able to exclusively breastfeed and pumped for milk storage when my mom was to watch the baby.

So anyway, just because you only pump an ounce DOES NOT MEAN that's all she's getting when she nurses. And if you stick with it things should get better. Congrats on making such a big commitment for your baby. My first two were in the NICU and were 2 weeks old and 10 days old before I could breastfeed them so I'm sure that contributed greatly to my milk problems.

You might want to try adding a little cereal to the milk which will help you build up you milk supply because you won't have to feed her as offten. You can also add water to her intake as well. You child is growing and will require more to eat as they get older. I know that you might seem that it's too soon to be adding cereal at this time but every child is different and grow at different speeds. I also breast fed and had the same situation. My son is now 6'1" and I had the same feelings that you are having right now. It's not going to hurt you child because I even check it out with his doctor because I didn't want him to be a fat baby.

Mother's Milk Tea 3 times a day works wonders for me. Another thing I have done in the past is feed every 2 hours and after a couple of days my mild supply has doubled. Another mother told me if you drink one Guiness Beer that will help for the long term. Good luck!

My goodness, how many responses you've received since yesterday! I'm not sure if my two bits of information will be repetitive, but here it goes:
1. I did read one comment that mentioned beer. A nurse shared with me that the reason beer tends to give your milk a boost is the malt ingredient. In this case, you can drink Ovaltine (which also, of course, contains malt), get the same effect (if it works for you), and not worry about the alcohol. Also the milk you use to mix it is beneficial.
2. Is pumping beneficial or not? Well, that's a personal decision. My son was in the NICU and I didn't have a choice. He could not and was not breastfeeding for some time so to provide my milk I had to pump. My lactation nurse recommended "power pumping" to trick my body into thinking it needed to produce more. With a little one you are already caring for 24/7, I don't know if you have the time, but it's pumping 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, etc for 1 hour. I was advised to sit down to a funny program on TV to help with the good feelings part of pumping (again you have your child there with you and get that added benefit...that is, you aren't producing milk to a pump all the time).
Even with these tips I don't think I would have produced enough milk, but my son's feeding shedule, complicated by his prematurity (feeding tube when he came home), forced a decision to stop pumping so I could sleep instead. I wish you the best.

Hi L.,

I had the same problem with my first and second children. Finally, my Ob/Gyn recommended FenuGreek (sp?). Within two weeks, I didn't know what to do with all the extra milk. It was a blessing to not have to stress out over my baby starving any more, and I could finally stop supplementing with formula. I believe that we purchased it from GNC, but you can probably look it up online. It really was the greatest thing and since it's completely natural, I didn't have to worry about hurting my son. Good Luck and Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.

I also had a c-section with my daughter December 2007. I had some latch problems, so ended up seeing a lactation consultant. She said the best way to up milk supply is drink lots and lots of water. There was also an herb she told me I could take if I felt I needed to boost my supply. It is called Fenugreek.
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_fenugree...

It is good that you are nursing on both sides and then pumping. That was another thing that the LC told me would help. It is possible that you are making more milk and that your daughter is drinking all except the ounce you get out. If she doesn't seem ravenous constantly, you're probably okay. It takes 1 hour for your breasts to refill after they've been emptied (as per LC). I suppose you could always pump without nursing first in the center of a 3 hour window between nursings/pumpings and see how much you get out.

Good luck and don't give up!
R.

same thing happened to me... my obgyn put me on reglan... helped for a while... may be just what you need to get it going real good... good luck

Hi,
Another good thing to do would be to look at these resources:
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBmilksupplyissues.html
and/or call the La Leche League hotline at ###-###-####.
Good luck!

I know I felt that way for the first couple of weeks! I did some things that helped me, I researched pumps and stopped trying to use the bad one that I had and got a good one which was able to extact much more milk.
Are you getting that one oz during the 10 minutes after a feeding? Cause that is to be expected after a feeding, if that's all you get when you pump in liu of a feeding you might need a better pump.
Is the baby getting enough milk or do you have to supplement? If she is getting enough then your supply is right where it should be. If you find yourself supplementing try feeding more often, babies build up supply way better than a pump.
For me it was just a long learning process that left me exhausted and feeling very inadequate for the first few weeks but we did get the hang of it and I was able to breatst feed exclusivly from about 1-4 months old (when I went back to work). Just hang in there and continue to work on it, but if ultimately you decide to switch to formula don't beat yourself up about it either your daughter will be just fine either way.