Pumping
Backstory.
I breastfed from birth up until 7weeks old. My LB had a tongue tie which got cut at 6weeks old.
This affected his latch and so I got mastitis on my left side.
After his tongue tie he went extremely fussy and crying and not latching. Persevered for over a week where it just finally broke me and switched to formula and hired a medela pump.
Now my question is; should I be pumping more regularly or leave it for longer stretches. I think if regularly, I should eventually be producing more right?
If I pump regularly, every 2-3hours, I get very little out. Maybe 60ml max total from both sides.
My right is very much an under achiever and max I've ever pumped from it is 30ml.
But if I pump after 6hours or so I can get anywhere from 70-120ml total.
Just confused at what is best. I pump for 20mins. But barely get anything after 10mins, even with breast compressions, if I pump every 2-3hours.
Show your support
Pumping regularly is better as it tells your body that milk is needed. If you leave it for longer than 3 hours you are risking to loose the supply. Plus pumping smaller amounts often amounts to more milk than if you pump or longer stretches.
Definitely do every 2 hours to start with and drink oat milk. It was a game changer for me! I had to do every 2 hours, and then my supply went up and now I do it every 3/4 hours!
Also be sure you’re using the right nipple flange. If it’s too big the pump wouldn’t work adequately and your supply would continue to reduce.
You don’t have an established supply yet. You need to signal that your baby needs more milk so every 2/3 hours for at least at least 15 minutes. Pump for 15/20 minutes even if your milk stops coming out.