Help needed to increase supply!!

[Animom]

My DD is almost 8 months old...she was exclusively breastfed till 4 months and then i gradually introduced FF to her, starting from 1 bottle a day to 2 bottles now..soon after she was 4 months old she started becoming very distracted while nursing, so i began to give her a bottle of EBM and tried to nurse her just after her naps..but gradually that also stopped working (she was too distracted even after her nap and teething also), so since the last 2 months i'v started giving her 2 bottles of FF and 2 of EBM..she used to nurse for 1 NF..

The problem is that over the last 1 month or so my supply has really dropped...earlier i was able to pump 6 ounces in one sitting, which reduced to 5, 4...and now to only 2 ...i used to pump 2 times earlier (before the supply problem started) but last couple of days i have started pumping 3-4 times (which has not made any difference till now)...there is no apparent health problems as i have got my thyroid level checked and they are fine..i'm also taking enough fluids

Would really appreciate suggestions on how i can increase my supply (DD still refuses to nurse while awake , though she does occsionally for a NF)...also where have i gone wrong...any thoughts on why my supply could have decreased?? (could it be coz DD has stopped nursing and pumps are not as efficient, or is it coz she is STTN, could it be my pump (i use a manual pump))..i'm desperate...i want to BF till DD is 1 year old...feeling very depressed on not being able to meet my baby's demands ( feel like i shouldnt have relented in the first place and i have one strong headed baby who doesnot want to nurse...

[Fiver]

It might be worth your while checking out this FAQ - http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65905.0 - it's full of lots of possible reasons for a dip in supply, if that is what is happening.  A decrease in pumping amount isn't necessarily indicative of a supply issue and could be that your pump needs a replacement part (like the rubber sucky bit that goes up and down when you squeeze the handle (diaphragm?) - not sure if that's what it's called!!)

You could try some of the 'instant reward' techniques from this FAQ - http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=89418.0

[Erin M]

Have you seen this link: http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/bf-links-excpumping/

It's from kellymom, which is a really good breastfeeding website, about exclusively pumping.  Maybe there are some tips there that would help.  There's a mom on here who cluster pumps too, pumping for 20 minutes, then waiting a short amount of time and then pumping again (much like a baby does when cluster feeding).  Is it possible for you to rent a good double electric pump?  Might make a difference.

[Animom]

thanks for the great resources on pumping...eating oats n changing the pump parts has helped a little...though I'm still not able to pump as frequently as I would like to as in-laws are here.. But feeling little better that may b will little more effort things would get better...

Am thinking of pumping once between 12-4 am to boost supply..will have convince ny DH about it though..

Thanks for your help ladies...will keep u posted..

[Fiver]

good news