Pumping and Milk Supply

well my first son i couldn't breastfeed him at all. now my second son alex'ander oh i breastfeed him until he was 11 months he bite me so bad i had wholes and still had to nurse him. he would not take a bottle. i tried pumping and couldn't not only because i couldn't get enough out but he would not tale a bottle. all i can really tell you is hang in there becaue in the out come she will be ok and everything will work out. you could try either to pump in the bath room with the shower running on hot the staem helps the milk flow better, i also found that if i pumped right after i got out the shower my milk was there. so if you need anymore advise or have any questions just ask.

Make a short recording of your baby crying when they are hungry. Then just loop that recording and play it while pumping. This should help your body respond naturally.

Can you pump one side and nurse from the other during your first nursing session of the day?

THis may sound weird, but massage your breast yourself which will stimulate more milk flow. Or put hot compresses on them before you pump if you can do that for a couple of minutes at work before you pump. Otherwise...dont feel bad for supplementing...the most important time for breastfeeding is that first week and the first month! Good luck

I know it helped me to pump at work if I took a blanket or toy that had my baby's sent. I also made sure I had a picture nearby, and one thing that really helped me was drinking plenty of water. Good Luck!!!
B.

I'm on my third breastfed baby. Drink more water. Sometimes it helps to visualize whatever cues your baby gives you when she's hungry. I don't know why. The breastpump likely isn't getting all of your milk out. I have found that the suction from the pump doesn't compare to the suction of a hungry baby. You could try pumping more often, but the problem with that could be the baby may not get as much of the hindmilk that comes from nursing after the initial let down, which gives milk that is typically thinner. Good luck! I know it's tough, but hang in there! You'll get through it!

I did the same thing with my first child. I went back to work full time when she was 3 mos. old and I pumped three times a day at work until she was a little over a year old when I decided to stay home with her. It's great that you're doing this. Don't give up just because you aren't getting enough where you don't have to supplement. Some breast milk is better than none. I know you have already been told this but, make sure you drink LOTS of water especially around pumping time. Good luck!

So far what everyone is saying is great. Some other things you might want to try...

1. Eat and drink before you pump.

2. Have a picture or if you're at your computer a video of your baby to watch while you pump.

3. Take the phone off the hook and try to avoid anything that is going to stress you out.

4. Continue with the pump for 5-10 min after you stop getting milk. It might sound strange, but it's giving your breast the needed stimulation to maybe make more.

5. Try some meditation techniques before you start, and focus on the happy times you are with your daughter.

No matter if any of this works or not, you are still doing the best you can for your daughter. You should be proud of yourself and your efforts to give her as much of the very best as you can. It's no small thing to work and pump and do all the other things moms are expected to do. You should congratulate yourself for getting this far!