Need breastfeeding mom advice!
Show your support
I only pump. When mine dropped, I started pumping every 2-3 hrs consistently until i got better volume. And I always pump for two minutes after flow stops. Oatmeal in morning and snacks during night pumps helped me as well.
You will always produce more latching baby more often than you will pumping cos having them close releases the required hormones. If baby is gaining weight and having wet nappies they are getting enough. At 3 months if they aren't waking overnight I wouldn't pump overnight. Your body adjusts to them not needing it at that time. Enjoy your sleep as being tired won't help production. Does baby have milk in a bottle at any point cos if not then I wouldn't be pumping. I didn't pump at all when my daughter was younger and am still breastfeeding at 2. Have you tried a haakaa to collect let down instead?
Everyone kept saying to me Drink lots But I felt that drinking coconut water helped me loads! And pumping intermittently through whilst drinking water x
I was also advised by a lactation cons that most milk is made on demand when feeding so I wouldn’t worry or stress to much xx
Stay hydrated but also avoid anything lactation related that has fenugreek and brewers yeast. Those 2 herbs while they MAY help your supply, I've heard more often then not that it kills or hinders supply. I experienced myself also 5 years ago with my second son
@Jessica May be a funny question but when you empty the breast all the way is there enough for the next nursing session? I’ll get electrolyte drinks! And good point. I could def eat more
Anything that does mucus membranes will dry up your supply. I don't take my allergy meds while breastfeeding for that reason
@Kyra just had some oatmeal! 🤞🏼 Will try pumping the extra few mins
@Natalie yeah he’s still waking twice during the night. So I’ll feed him bottles at night and pump after he goes back to sleep. I worry about strictly breastfeeding at night because sometimes we don’t always have a good latch. I’m already drowsy at night, so trying to make sure I get some sleep. That’s why I do bottles at night. I don’t have a haakaa but I do have an Elvie collector which I think is similar. Wow amazing you are still going!
Some people do have to continue pumping or removing milk overnight not to notice a dip in supply. You actually don’t need to be making more milk though as baby gets older. Your milk adjusts to meet their nutritional needs. Have you changed your pump parts recently?
@jodie thanks! Yeah I’m trying to get enough milk so when I go back to work I have some supply built up but I can’t seem to make enough to get me further than the same day. Trying coconut water!
@Leslie had no idea, thanks for the heads up! Outside of hydration did you do anything else to help build your supply back?
@Tyy i upped my caloric intake. They said i only would need an extra 600 calories but im already a big girl (currently i weight 226) so I knew 600 extra (which is like 3 protein bars) was not enough. I also changed my eating just a little and higher fat foods, more grains and veggies. It was hard work but I noticed a little boost.
@GMF I haven’t replaced parts, think that will help? Also I’m trying to make enough milk for the day right now but also would like to build a supply for when I return to work.
to connect with women at a similar stage in life.
Trusted by 5M+ women
to connect with women at a similar stage in life.
Trusted by 5M+ women
@Leslie thank you for the info!
@Tyy you don't want to save any for later. Your body will think you didn't need that much and will make less. Supply and demand. Your body is making milk constantly, there will be enough for your baby next feeding session. But the step of making sure your baby is full is important so they'll wait the full 3ish hours to let you fill back up
@Tyy yes it absolutely can help. It depends on how often you pump, but if you pump 3x a day you’d replace duckbill valves once a month and back flow protectors once every three months. But obviously adjust those timelines based on your pumping frequency. The parts are likely also covered through insurance just like breast pumps - check whatever website you got yours from.
https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/blog/low-milk-supply-101
I also forgot to mention to make sure you include at least one "power pump" session a day! I have one worked into my schedule and I remove as much milk as I can within an hour of pumping. Make sure to have lots of snacks and water nearby because you will be extremely hungry and thirsty while doing it! There's different schedules online for how yo work it in but also just do what feels best for you
Happy to be a resource. I have built myself an oversupply 🖤 feel free to DM and we can chat more in depth!
@Melissa very uplifting article, thank you!
Nurse, keep baby awake until actually satisfied. Then pump until you are empty and a little bit more pumping. Basically make your body think there are 2 hungry babies. I found that drinking body armor and power aid was helpful and oatmeal helped too! And I craved protein as well. Basically eat "too much" (way more than your brain says you need, but your body is asking for it) "constantly" (whenever you are hungry)