not enough milk anymore?

[marijke]

Hi, since 3 weeks I'm working again. I bf fulltime for 6 months and now only in the morning and in the evening. This morning my lo was very hungry at 11 (drunk bottle very fast and ate all the fruits) so I think he didn't have enough milk at 7 (was crying, woke from sleep after 30 mins, whining). Any ideas how to increase milk supply or is this the end...  It's not possible to pump at work I would have done that otherwise. I would really like to bf until 1 year but don't think it's possible this way...

[Karin3]

How old is your LO?  It could be a growth spurt.  You could pump after each feed to increase supply...

[daisymelan]

I would pump after the times you feed him. 

Some women can continue to bf with just nursing sessions a day.  I found my supply really dwindled once we got there, but also I was pregnant so that is more likely the cause.

I would also suggest to drink lots of water and continue with extra calories in your diet to maintain supply. 

[marijke]

Pumping is really not my thing, tried it a lot but just doesn't work! And I have to hurry in the morning, cook dinner in the evening... but I'll drink more water and bf tea...

[daisymelan]

Trust me when I say I know what you mean about pumping.

But in this case, it doesn't matter if you are getting any milk, as long as you are pumping it will help.

good luck and HUGS

[RachelC]

{{{{hugs}}}}  And I agree with Jodie, pumping isn't about getting milk, it's about the stimulation.  On your days off, can you bf throughout the day, even if you have to supplement with a bottle, your son will be sending signals to your breasts to produce more milk.

[Samuel's mum]

I'm so sorry  
I'm afraid the truth is not everyone is able to maintain 2 feeds a day in your circumstances. When babies are older or when 2 feeds are the result of a gradual process of weaning it's easier.

Talk to us a bit more about your pumping experience. What pump are you using? And how do you approach it? Some women actually have better luck using hand expression. We might be able to give you some pumping tips. As said, even if nothing really comes out you are sending messages to produce milk.

Is it the nature of your job that makes pumping difficult at work? Are you working 5 days a week?

[marijke]

Thanks so much for your help! This morning I gave him cereal at 8 because I didn't want him to be hungry, and he did eat it (about 10 spoons) so I guess he was still hungry. I work 3.5 days a week and hate to give him formula in a bottle when I'm at home. I thought it's not good to feed him during the dag because milk will increase and I can't pump at work. Why?
1. I have to do it in the toilet or in my car
2. I work with adolescents with behavioral problems and I don't want them to accidently witness it, I wouldn't feel comfortable
3. there's just no time to do this I have a lot of work and only 25 hours to do it in
4. no other colleages of mine have ever done this
5. almost no milk if I pump
So I guess I could feed him during today (I'm at home in the afternoon). Do I keep doing this or just for now for stimulation? Or maybe just quit and give him bottles...
 
I use a manual pump (no electric) and it's just very hard to express milk. It takes about 30 - 45 mins for 20 ml or less, it's just not worth it! I get so frustrated...

[Samuel's mum]

Manual pumps are often less effective so that is difficult. Is there any hope you could get hold of an electric one? I know electric pumps cost money but a quick calculation of the cost of formula is quite an interesting comparison. An electric pump won't just be more effective but also a lot lot quicker.

 I would still agree with the advice that if you really feel you can't pump at work you could feed him when you are with him. Breasts are usually pretty adaptable. If you have a history of blocked ducts or mastitis I could see you might be a bit nervous about going off to work and your breasts possibly getting full.

Your work situation does sound tough but remember you have a right and so does your LO. It's not fun if no colleagues have ever done but if you are feeling brave then you will be helping someone else in the future. I also worked in a school and it would have been tricky finding the time and the place but I probably would have used a storage cupboard and locked myself in if nothing else was available. With more pumping you will have more luck. Is there a sympathetic boss you could talk to - you might be surprised at the support you get. In many countries you have a legal right to a time and place to pump. One reason bosses are often supportive is because bf mummies statistically need less days off due to their baby being ill.

Anyway there's no point in me saying all this - you obviously know your situation better than anyone. Just remember some breastmilk is better than none. So even if he takes the breast for a little while and give him the bottle afterwards he might still be getting something. Don't feel you have to completely quit - you could still offer the breast for a while.

[Lola]

I returned to work early as well and had the same problem. Fenugeek can increase milk supply and there is a prescription medication called Domperidone that also works really well. You might want to inquire about that as well with your lactation consultant as well as heeding what these other pro's on board say

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

How old is he?  I agree that nursing him when you're home might help to increase your supply overall, if you want to continue.  If it's just once during the day, then you might find you don't get too engorged.  If you did, you could bring the pump to work to just take off some excess - wouldn't take as long so might not be as problematic...

[daisymelan]

Everyone has said everything.

Just offering more HUGS!!!!  It must be a stressful situation.

[marijke]

He's almost 7.5 months. Maybe it's better to just feed him when I'm at home (would feel better for me too...) and on days I have to go to work just in morning and evening. But I thought then there will be a problem when I don't feed between 7 am - 4.30 pm my breasts will get too full? Or that's not a problem?  I really don't see me pumping at work, sorry... Can do it when I get home at 4.30 or feed him (but he normally eats at 3 pm). It's not easy and I would like to keep bfing my lo for as long as possible...

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I think you'll have to try it to see how full you get.  And feeding him an hour an a half later than usual might also be possible -you could try it and see if it doesn't mess up the rest of his schedule too much.

My feeling is usually why not try - you can always go back to the other way, right? 

[marijke]

You're right, I'm going to try it and we'll see what happens! Thanks!