In need of a pep talk... long, sorry

[RachelC]

My dd2 is almost 8 months old and has been EBF.  Since we started solids, the 11 and 3 feeds are small ones, but the 7am and 7 pm are big ones.  I am currently pumping around 6:30 am every morning in order to express enough milk so I can attend my best friend's baby shower one month from tomorrow, and then to see The Lion King a month later.  When I pump, I get 1 oz, if that.  I have tried to pump while feeding, but I usually use two hands to bf and two hands to pump (what mom couldn't use two extra hands?  )  That and dd2 likes to kick and/or grab at the pump.

Pumping was going great until my best friend had a big time marriage crisis and I needed to be with her and couldn't pump and dh had to use all the milk I had saved for df.  I used to pump for the df, but had to stop back in January (as it was not productive at all) and dd just took from me.  About a month ago we dropped the df.

Sometimes I feel like the 11 and 3 feeds would be bigger, but I'm not producing enough.  I tried Fenugreek a while back, but didn't notice a change... then read that it should be taken in combo with blessed thistle (am I right?).  I have thought about going to formula for those two feeds, but we really can't afford that route, especially if my body can get into gear. 

What is most frustrating to me is that I had no issues bfing my older dd.  My body was amazing to me then, as I was only engorged when milk came in and my body had no issues whenever she dropped a feed, or when she stopped all together.  I was able to pump 4 oz at a time with her and always had milk for her cereals.  Now, I am mixing dd2's cereal with water 

Thanks for listening and if you have any words of encouragement, they will be greatly appreciated.

~Rachel

[Samuel's mum]

Sorry you feel that things are trickier. You obviously have a bit more on your plate this time round so it's natural to feel things aren't quite the same. It could be argued your breasts are now actually more 'intelligent' as they only respond to your LOs rhythm and sucking style. This could be down to their experience. I'm not joking!
There are lots of tips for pumping on this site
http://www.pumpingmoms.org
If you are finding it tricky to even get an oz it may be that you are not actually getting any 'let down' at all.
You could try pumping a couple of hours after the final feed or before you go to bed too. Although supply is usually not at its best then you may be able to train your body into producing more at that time. Even another oz would add up quickly.
You could experiment with hand expressing as that would mean no pump to be kicked at by dd2 - you just have to work out where to put the cup or use a bag? Some people find they get better results with hand expressing. There's a bit about it here.
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/27expressing_milk.html

I don't know much about fenugreek but I know a lot of people do take it in combination. I'm not sure you have to though.

The bottom line is that your breasts are doing a great job and clearly meeting your dd's needs. She would be demanding more of them at the 'smaller' feeds if she needed it and they would respond. You just have to work at a way of making them less 'intelligent'!!!

[jbepko]

A few suggestions- stay well hydrated, continue to pump  in am before first feed, maybe when both LO's are down for naps or being quiet (even 5 minutes is better than none), and before you go to bed. It may take several days to see any changes in your supply. The more milk extracted by LO or your pump = the more milk your body will make.