Frustrated with how little milk comes out when I pump

[Anonymous]

I had the same experience, except unlike other posters, my milk never really came in enough to EBF. I did EVERYTHING that every LC in the area suggested (the oatmeal, fenugreek, tons of water, hospital pump, pumping 9x a day after every nursing, waking in the night to pump, etc. etc plus Reglan plus the other drug that you can't even get here. With the nursing, pumping, washing all the pump parts, and never pumping more than 1-2 ounces per session (which was way more than the 2-5 CCs per session I started with), I was SO exhausted & depressed. The first four weeks were the worst weeks of my life and I would never put myself through that again. In the end, I probably gave baby 30-50% breastmilk and the rest formula, and wish I could encourage you not to make yourself miserable with this. Try to enjoy that baby, sleep when you can, and supplement with some formula if that's what works for you. I'm sure I'll get flamed but really wish there wasn't so much pressure in this area. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I had the same experience, except unlike other posters, my milk never really came in enough to EBF. I did EVERYTHING that every LC in the area suggested (the oatmeal, fenugreek, tons of water, hospital pump, pumping 9x a day after every nursing, waking in the night to pump, etc. etc plus Reglan plus the other drug that you can't even get here. With the nursing, pumping, washing all the pump parts, and never pumping more than 1-2 ounces per session (which was way more than the 2-5 CCs per session I started with), I was SO exhausted & depressed. The first four weeks were the worst weeks of my life and I would never put myself through that again. In the end, I probably gave baby 30-50% breastmilk and the rest formula, and wish I could encourage you not to make yourself miserable with this. Try to enjoy that baby, sleep when you can, and supplement with some formula if that's what works for you. I'm sure I'll get flamed but really wish there wasn't so much pressure in this area. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I second, third the suggestion for a hospital grade pump if you don't have one. And my experience was that they are not all the same. I used an ameda one from Inova, and it was working good. I tried to switch to a medela hospital grade, and I got a lot less milk. I have no idea why. I hope you have some help though. Is someone around to help you get food? If not, please hire someone to come in and help.

[Anonymous]

The fact that you're getting anything at all AFTER your baby nurses is really quite impressive.

If your baby is done nursing, they're likely full. Babies will drink more out of bottles (past being full) than they will from the breast. Babies are also more effective at stimulating supply than a pump.

If I were you, I would quit the pumping and just put baby to the breast as often as possible.

[Anonymous]

You should maybe go see an LC as well, and if you have to supplement, then go ahead and do that. A good LC can tell you some tricks. You can even start weighing baby before and after feedings and daily to make sure he is on track. I rented a baby scale just for that purpose, and it really helped me out.

[Anonymous]

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

This link is a great insight into how much milk a newborn's stomach actually holds...no wonder they nurse constantly!

Good luck, OP

[Anonymous]

OP, you are doing a great job! First, congrats on your new baby. I know how difficult and exhausting this is. PPs have given good advice (see a LC, a must; get a hospital grade pump for sure, a must), and I agree with most of it. I'm just writing to say do your best but please never beat yourself up. You're doing all you can. Most women who bf frequently, pump, use supplements, etc. can build a good milk supply. I wasn't one. I spent the first month after DS's birth in the same cycle as you're in: bf, pump, bf pump. I don't think anyone who hasn't done it can understand what that's really like. It was awful. Even at the end of a month, in 8-10 pumpings/day I never pumped more than 2-3 oz TOTAL (not per pumping). DS's nutrition ended up being almost all formula despite my efforts. I worked with a LC who told me that my case is rare, so take heart.

I don't want my story to depress you -- my point is that right now this is a crisis for you and it is very difficult, but your baby will thrive no matter what you end up doing as long as you love him. When I first gave my baby formula it felt as though I were giving him poison. So melodramatic but really that's how I felt. I was so obsessed with being able to BF and it was truly devastating to me that I couldn't. I would have done anything and I did go to extreme lengths...without results. I gave up pumping at 1 month and just BF'd whenever DS wanted (frequently) in addition to his formula bottle feedings. We did that for four months. Honestly, it was more recreational for him, probably, and bonding for me.

OP, chances are that with all you're doing, you'll build your supply. But if you're unlucky or you just don't want to do it anymore, please let go and just enjoy your baby. My baby's newborn period was so happy for me on one hand and yet, frankly, torture because of the milk struggle. If I had it to over again, I'd have let go earlier. I'm SO not telling you to quit--I'm just saying, do what you can and accept that whatever happens is ok. I felt like such a failure when I pumped and so little came out, it hurt. I also think back to all the times I had to hand off DS (if I was lucky and someone was with me) or put him in his bouncer or swing (mostly what happened) to pump. I think of every minute I didn't get to cuddle with him because I was pumping was lost (and 8-10 freaking times a day!, 15-20 min each time).