Exclusively pumping breast milk - how can i increase milk supply

[lyssie28]

Been pumping milk for 4 weeks for baby but she is wanting more milk as she gets bigger. I pump 4 times a day.  Should I be doing it more?  I do 10 minutes each side and get 2-3 oz from each one every 4 hrs.  It's hard to fit time in as I have a toddler too.  Any tips on how to increase supply without having to do it every 2 hours?

[Erin M]

Hi there!
Most of what I've read suggests that you need to be pumping as often as a baby would be feeding in order to maintain supply. so I'd say add a pumping session if you can.  I'm sure that's very difficult though!

I found some good advice on this website: http://www.momschooldropout.com/2014/01/13/the-exclusive-pumping-mamas-survival-guide/

and here as well: http://kellymom.com/mother2mother/exclusive-pumping/

You might consider something like fenugreek to increase supply - I had a friend who made it to about 6 months using fenugreek before her supply dwindled.

[*Ali*]

We also have this FAQ which at the bottom lists ways to help supply. I'm worried I may have low milk supply

I agree with Erin though, at this age a baby would be nursing 8-12 times in 24hrs so you probably will struggle to get what LO needs from just 4 pumping sessions. Also, what time are you pumping? Night time is the best time to pump because of high hormone levels so if you are going long periods between pumping sessions, especially overnight that will not help. A dream feed time pumping session might be the easiest to add in.

Btw it isn't too late to work on her latching if you want to  you'll likely need IRL professional experience though.

It must be tough going with a newborn and a toddler to fit around so well done for pumping. 

[lyssie28]

Thanks for the info :-) I have added another session on so doing it in the morning at 8am, 12pm, 3pm, 7pm and 9.30.  I don't pump through the night and usually I get at least 7oz in the morning.  Fingers crossed I can continue this way until she's 6 months at least.  She isn't a great eater and in the first few weeks she would latch on but only for a few minutes and would fall asleep.  Even now it's hard to get her to feed after 3hrs even 4 sometimes.  I will be taking her to docs to get her checked over. 

[*Ali*]

Oh yes, I remember those early weeks with a sleepy newborn and trying to get them to stay awake long enough for a decent feed. They usually wake up for longer periods after the first month.

Do you know how much she is taking in 24hrs? 25oz is average from 1-6mo (it usually stays about the same) but the normal range is considered 19-32oz so quite a big variation.  If she prefers eating 4hrly that is fine if you are happy she is getting all she needs. Sometimes being too sleepy is a sign they don't have energy to wake up and eat due to not taking enough milk though so if she is taking significantly less and still sleeping through feeds I'd definitely wake her.