Pumping - Low Output

[Jenifer]

I'm trying to build a stock in my freezer (returning to work) and am having trouble pumping.  I can only get 1/2 an ounce at the end of the day (before I go to bed).  (Been pumping for about 4 nights now.)  Even if DD misses a feed and I pump after, I'm only getting maybe 2 oz.  I can't stimulate a let down to save my life anymore!      I've done all the things (like think of DD, look at her picture, hand expressed while pumping, etc.) and still having trouble stimulating a letdown!   

What to do? 

Will fenugreek help with this?

[amheusser]

This may be stupid, but it worked for me....  I had trouble relaxing enough to get a letdown, and one night was watching TV while I attempted to pump and got a huge letdown when I laughed at the show.  It was enough to relax my body so the pump could do it's job. 

I also had more available in the morning, even after the first feeding, so sometimes I'd put down the (happy, fed) baby and pump right after, when things were still flowing.

I know some people have recorded their baby either crying or babbling and that can help too.

Hang in there- it's worth it for the benefits you give her!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Here's a link with some suggestions, if you haven't tried them already:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

What kind of pump are you using?  Evenings are often the hardest time to pump - have you tried about an hour after her first morning feed? 

[mikiweiser]

New here - but have a suggestion and a question

I recommend piumping WHILE BF - just have LO on one side and pump on other

Questions:
1. no matter what i try i can barely get milk out of my left side with the pump - The right side has an amazing flow b/w 2-3 oz even after a feeding, but my left - barely 10 drops.

2. how long can BF stay in the fridge?

3. can you mix pumped milk - is there a method to preserve it so it doesn't go bad?

4. is regigerated milk supposed to separate in the bottle?

Thanks for any answers...

Miki

[Jenifer]

mikiweiser - how do I do that if she would feed on the other side next?  She does both boobs at each feed, so wouldn't I be just taking the milk that she would be drinking?

Answers to your questions:

2. I've read 24 hours in the fridge.  3 months in the freezer.

4. Yes it separates in the fridge.  Just shake it before you serve it.


Don't know the answers to # 1 and 3 .. sorry.

 

[RachelC]

1. no matter what i try i can barely get milk out of my left side with the pump - The right side has an amazing flow b/w 2-3 oz even after a feeding, but my left - barely 10 drops.

Totally normal!  There's not much to do about it, your right breast is more productive.

2. how long can BF stay in the fridge?

According to http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html 8 days in the fridge.  Unless it was previously frozen, then 24 hours.

3. can you mix pumped milk - is there a method to preserve it so it doesn't go bad?

Yup.  As long as they are at the same temperature.  I would cool both in the fridge first and then combine.

4. is refrigerated milk supposed to separate in the bottle?

Yup, and as Jenifer said, just mix well before feeding.



Jenifer - As Erin said, first thing in the morning is the best time to pump.  Even if you wakr up an hour before your dd normally eats, that would be a good time to pump (even if you only do the "second" breast that she would be eating from KWIM?)  Also, you could also try pumping later in the evening, even waking up after you've gone to bed.  I know that's a tough one too. 

It's very normal for women to only be able to pump 2 oz (or less) when los skip a feed.

There are some tips here, from the FAQs as well:

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63603.0

Hang in there, when are you returning to work?  You can give Fenugreek a try (never worked for me).  I have read to take it with Blessed Thistle (which I didn't try).

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Yes, I was talking to a lactation consultant this week and she pointed out that Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle work best when taken together.  The only concern would be if you're diabetic - some times they can have an effect on blood sugar levels.  Also remember that if you pump regularly at the same time of day, after a while, your breasts will start to get used to producing that extra milk at that time.

[Jenifer]

Thanks everyone.

PaigeJaylen - I'm returning to work at the beginning of April.  I figure at the rate of pumping 1/2 oz every day I should start now to make a stock of .. oh about 3 bottles.    I was getting a little discouraged because one night of the week I have a class and have to leave DD with DH about 45 minutes before bedtime.  She used to BF before I would go (which was early for her) but now she's not wanting any part of it and so I'm having to leave her a bottle.  At the rate I'm pumping, I'm not going to be able to keep making that weekly bottle PLUS build a little stock for when I return to work .. so I got into a little panic. 

I saw some Mother's Milk tea at the store today.  I didn't buy it because it said to drink it 3 times a day and I didn't know if a) it would taste good enough to drink that many times a day, and b) if it would work.  Anyone heard of it or used it before?

mikiweiser - Sorry for the wrong info.  I'm always taking milk out of the freezer so that's why I thought it was 24 hours. 

Well, I will keep on pumping and maybe try some herbs or tea and see where that gets me.  

[binxyboo]

I did drink the Mothers Milk Tea, I don't know if it ever helped with supply though as I wasn't pumping at that time and it was just that I saw it in a store and love tea anyway so I bought it. It tastes good, kind of liquoricey.

I was never a good pumping even though I had plenty of milk to nurse Riley.He wouldn't accept it except straight from the source anyway! When I did have to pump when he was over a year I took Domperidone which seemed to help a bit.

[mikiweiser]

Hi all,

PaigeJalyn - thanks for all the info.

Jennifer - no apologies - I turn to all of you with the knolwedge that you are not a doctor - only in the same boat as me, and  I believe more in the experience of mothers and their instints.
I am drinking a Mother's milk tea - it's very tasty - and it has helped me.

Best,
Miki