Milk Supply Question for Working Moms

Don't give up I am going through the same thing I just started to take fenugreek and drink lots of water. Try to pump more often at work I have noticed that my supply is building with pumping more even if you don't get much it is stimulating the need. Good luck to you and don't give up breastfeeding is the best

Been there done that...
I am very happy for you and your lucky son. I have a 14 month old who is still nursing actively. I was in this same predicament you are now about a year ago when I went back to work. I could not get enough milk at my pumping sessions, but then I redirected my thoughts to envisioning my baby suckling directly from my breasts, that helped me have quick let-downs, so I was able to express more milk. Also, I keep my daughter in bed with me, so she nurses all night long, that helps with boosting milk supply too.

Goodluck and hang in there. There is a lot of moms out there who will do the best for their kids. We owe them the best start in life and they grow up so fast.

I had a problem with decreased milk supply with both of my children and my obgyn prescribed me something that I took for a short time and it really helped to increase my milk supply. My sister and several friends also have taken the med. I can not remember the name of it but you might consider contacting your obgyn and see if he/she would be able to help you are make other suggestions.

N.--
congratulations on doing such a great thing for yourself and your son! i think the advice given here is very good. i would try adding both blessed thistle and mother's milk tea to your increased water and your fenugreek. if you take fenugreek + blessed thistle, this should help. take 2-3 capsules of each herb 2-3 times/day.

if you are still having supply issues (the herbs should work within a couple of days), call your midwife or ob and ask for a prescription for reglan. this is an anti-vomiting medication and has a somewhat sedating effect. i would try taking it in the evening or on the weekend before you take it before leaving for work in the morning. reglan has been shown to increase milk supply very effectively.

good luck!

I had a huge problem with that too. Even though my employer gave me the opportunity to pump my milk while at work, it was almost impossible to do. I wait tables and it is very hard to excuse yourself to pump. My milk began to decrease and I was pretty upset. I finally had to give up breast feeding after 5 months. The good news was that since I was having to suppliment my milk with formula, it wasnt too hard to switch them to the formula. I think that your body may just be telling you that it is done. If you are exausted that is why you are having a hard time producing. My suggestions would be to take some time off of work or find a way to get in some "me" time. After you and your body are rested you should be able to produce more. If that isnt possible then I would consider weaning your son. I know that it is hard but you cant run yourself into the ground either. I hope that it all works out and you find what is right for you. Good luck!

First of all, you are already doing awesome! You should be proud of yourself that you've made it this long and remember, however long you do nurse is always better than nothing!

My son is 13 months and we're still nursing although I'm starting to wean. He was exclusively breastfed his first entire year and I work full time and went back to work when he was 12 weeks old. I pumped 3 times a day as well and always tried to pump at the same times every day. I found that usually I would pump more in the morning and less in the afternon, therefore, I would try and pump maybe 15-20 minutes in the morning and by the afternoon, specifically later in the week, I was usually not pumping more than 10 minutes. I always did a 30 second relaxation routine before pumping. I would take out a few pictures of him and think about him nursing that morning. I would also try and make sure the room I was pumping in wasn't too cold. And I tried to put away all thoughts I had of everything that was waiting for me on my desk. Since I couldn't be with him, this was my way of being close to him while at work.

I know it's tiring, but nursing constantly when you're home is the only way you'll be able to increase your milk supply. Your body works on supply and demand. Although I wasn't waking up in the middle of the night much to nurse, I found that the nights I did wake up, I truly cherished those quiet moments that he and I had together, just the two of us. It was my down time and my quiet time, just to reflect on how wonderful my life was now.

I don't think your body is telling you it's time. If you want to continue nursing, you can! It's not easy to do what you're doing...but if you're committed about doing this for your child, then stick with it. It is so rewarding and you are benefiting your child so much!

Congratulations on making it this far and keep up the great work!

I had a similar problem with my first child. I was never effective at pumping and by Fridays I would be pumping half what I would on Mondays. What I found helped alot was to make extra time for nursing on the weekends and to continue the nighttime nursings during the week by bringing him into bed with us. For some reason, nite time nursings are really effective at increasing milk supply. I also found that the nursing actually provided me with the downtime I wanted on the weekends because I love to read and I would always have a book by my side when I nursed. When my oldest was 18 months old, he would bring me my book when he wanted to nurse! When I had my second son, I would get my husband to take care of him while I went into the bedroom (I had a really comfy chair for nursing in the master bedroom) and had my quality time at the same time as my son had his. Also, you're at the point where it will get much easier as your son should soon be able to start on solids. What I did was to reserve those only for during the workday. We nursed exclusively at home until he was 9 months.

Good luck and rest assured that this difficult time will pass only to be replaced by another type of difficult issue :)

I breastfed exclusively while working full time until my DD was about 7 months old...then I continued to nurse, but she took solids, too. She totally refused the bottle...so I had no choice but to keep my milk supply up.

I nursed my daughter at the daycare in the morning before I left for work. Then I nursed her at lunch. When I picked her up in the evening, I nursed her again at the daycare before we left. It was a lot of extra time at the daycare for me...but well worth it. Those months really do go by so quickly...they only seem to linger when you're really tired.

Also, make sure you're getting enough calories. And finally, get your sleep. That's easier said than done...but without it, your milk supply could really suffer...mind did with my seoond baby.

You're doing a wonderful job nursing your baby. It's a gift that no one can give him but you. He'll be healthier for it, too. Good luck and hang in there!

Nicole,
I had the same problem when I started back to work and it seemed the more I stressed about the lack of producing the less I produced. What I found helpful was I pumped at the same time everyday and to make me relax I read a book or magazine while pumping. I am a first time mother so not having any me time was somewhat a challenge. I figured as long as I was pumping and by myself, I'd take advantage of that time. Before I knew it I was pumping 7 to 9 oz in a sitting. I also increased my pumping time to 20 minutes from 15. It at gave me a little more time to myself. And on those days where there was a lack of sleep well I took my cell phone in with me set the timer and took a short nap while I was attached to the pump. I know that sounds crazy but it worked. The other thing I did was nursed less and pumped more. By 6 months my son was completely through with nursing but still taking breast milk from a bottle. We are now about to turn a year. Good luck.