What else could I be doing to pump more milk?

[monopod]

Hullo BWers!

I started work this week and have been double pumping while at the office. I'm not managing to pump much, unfortunately. For the past few days I've tried 2 sessions during the working day, at the times DS would normally feed, but the maximum I've gotten was 6oz combined (twice it's been less than 5oz). Only last Monday, when DS was having a trial half-day, I pumped at the late morning feed and got 6oz in a single session, so it's a little discouraging that this week's sessions haven't been productive (NB: I'm not sure whether the dip is temporary, because my period just returned yesterday - plus I'm ill at the moment! - but I want to plan for the worst-case scenario).

DS isn't taking particularly well to a bottle at nursery, though there's been some progress (in fact yesterday he drank a whole 3-4oz from the bottle, which was pretty remarkable after token 1.5-2oz amounts). It isn't, however, clear whether the bottle refusal is entirely because he's holding out for the source or because he's getting ready to drop a middle-of-the-day feed anyway (he'll be 10 months in March). In any case, I'm trying to get milk into him by any other means possible, including a big serving in his breakfast porridge, so still want to pump as much as I can, to maintain supply and try and avoid hunger-related NWs.

In addition to the 2x day sessions I also pump once more at night before going to bed.

I was thinking of doing the following to try and increase my pumping output and supply in general:
- Start fenugreek again
- Up the sessions to 3x during the day and see how I get on
- Nurse the little one immediately upon picking him up from nursery in the evening, and again just before bed (because there's only an hour between the two I'd just been waiting until bedtime to feed him).

Right now we are nursing 3x on my work days (at an EW, at wakeup, and at bedtime). On my off-day and at the weekends we nurse 5x a day.

What do you think? Is there anything else I could be doing to boost my supply and pumping output?

Thanks so much

[clh]

{{hugs}} hun.  Honestly, I think it sounds like you've thought out a good plan.  And period and illness can each impact supply/pumping, so I can't imagine that both together are doing good things for you. 

On a different note, congrats on getting ds to take 3-4 oz.  That's great! 

[monopod]

Thanks clh. It was nursery's success - not sure how they managed either but until he consented to do it they were trying to feed him via a syringe, bless them!

It's only Week 2 of nursery and I'm nearly finished with my freezer stash of EBM, sigh. If I don't start pumping more very soon I might have to start offering him formula Or maybe I just won't bother since he isn't drinking much anyway, and try and make up for it at night

[clh]

Sounds like you found a great nursery to work with you. 

Some lo's do "reverse cycle" & start feeding in the night if they can't get the source in the day.  DOn't know how you feel about that... 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I found the fenugreek helped - after a while, I'd just take it around the time of my periods because my supply TOTALLY would drop then. I was combining it with blessed thistle too, but I honestly don't know if the combination makes that much difference. Just remember that with the fenugreek, you should start smelling like curry or maple syrup. I also found oatmeal helped a bit.

[flutie]

Hi there,
When I was pumping I also found fenugreek and oatmeal (everyday) increased output.  Whenever my supply dipped, I also woke up one time in the night to pump...this seemed to really help.  After your lo wakes up at night or EW, you could pump for 5 (or more) minutes after he is finished eating.  Even if you are not getting much milk, it will definately signal to your body that you need even more milk.

[monopod]

Thanks for your posts!

Erin, I recall the whiff of maple syrup well! At first it was just reminiscent of my not having showered for a while (bleurgh) but it soon began to smell a little nicer

flutie - gosh, not sure about pumping after he's done eating at night! I normally just crash back into bed... I will keep that in mind as an option though!

Tried pumping today sooner than I would normally (about 3.5h after his morning feed), and got less than 2oz! I'm not sure whether I'll be able to fit in 3 pumping sessions during the working day, but maybe it'll be just as well if the extra pumping time isn't going to yield more milk 

[Jocasta]

I have to second the oatmeal.  Wheat beer also works wonders for me (apparently brewers yeast will have the same affect - no alcahol and can be purchased from your local health food store).

Switch pumping is also a great idea - often will result in a further let down - I know that you are using a double pump but if it will allow you to single pump, try double pumping then single pumping one side - then the other and do the switch pumping AFTER you've finished double pumping - obviously this will rely on your working schedule

Do you have a video function on your mobile?  I'd recommend videoing an entire feed of your lo nursing and watching that back while you pump - try and put yourself there in your head yk?  That should help on a hormonal level.

I definitely agree with pps that this is most likely a temporary blip due to AF's return though...

Hugs honey

[A pair of Charlies]

I don't have a great pump production, but I think mine could be worse...

I used to pump in the evenings, a few hours after the last feed. I would spend a couple of hours at it (telly sounds different without schwomp schwomp sounds), switching sides throughout to get repeat letdowns. Probably at least 4 hits on each side. If a side is a little less productive in the day, I give this one more attention at night.

And drinking extra water during the day often helped. Watching a nursing session is a great idea!! I used to try and replay in my mind happy loving DS moments, or his first feeds as a newborn, look at pics etc. Oddly, nothing ever got as immediate and full on letdown as DS crying over the monitor - which always meant I'd have to stop pumping to go to him, but...  proves the hormone thing!

It was Diana or Candice or Erin or Deb that gave me a 'recipe' for porridge which really helped me keep supply up consistently - I get really bad energy slumps and need the morning bulk to keep producing in these later months... Anyway, I hated porridge and her suggestions made it pretty darn delicious for me. Porridge oats, milk, pinch ground cloves, ground cinnamon, a few drops of vanilla essence, and fav fruit - I go for fresh berries (rasp, straw, blue, black...any). And lots of sugar. The berries colour up the porridge too - from grey to pink or blue. Helps it look a little more approachable 

Charlotte

[monopod]

Thanks Jocasta and Charlotte, and sorry for the delay in replying. Have been rather poorly - I guess we've now started that chapter in our lives that involves Ethan picking up bugs from nursery and our proceeding to pass the parcel round the family!

I really like the idea of oatmeal, and Charlotte, that recipe sounds luverly! The problem is that a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with multiple food intolerances and cutting out all the offenders has given me a migraine-free life (I'd had to take daily medication for years to stave off attacks, and the change was nothing short of magic - no more medication needed!) - and, you guessed it, gluten is one of the offenders (as is yeast). Having said that, I've been trying to reintroduce some foods and small bits of oats seem to have gone down ok so far, so maybe I'll take the plunge!

Jocasta, I'll try that switch pumping idea. I've decided to stick with two pumping sessions as can't fit a third one in, but I can give the switch pumping a go at one session at least!

No video function on mobile... but I think I can take short clips on my digital camera! Will give it a go