First day back at work and only pumped 1 oz - should I give up?

[Anonymous]

I just started work again after being home with DC for 9 months. DC has been EBF until now (yes solids, but no formula). I have been trying to pump for about a month but only getting 1-2 oz at a time. I figured it was bc I was still nursing all day. First day of work and I only got about 1 oz when I pumped. Is it worth it to keep trying? Has anyone had success pumping after not getting much milk? Should I just give up and supplement with forumla during the day? I should also mention I am pregnant.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

What pump are you using?

You should be able to pump more than 1oz through out the day if you child is EBF.

My dd is 9 MO and I pump 2 times a day at the office. Each time I express about 6 oz.

[Anonymous]

if you are not use to pumping you might need to do "pump boot-camp"

I took a weekend and pumped after each feeding and basically around the clock-every 3-4 hours. it wasn't fun but increased production. I had the backpack medela pump

[Anonymous]

DC's already 9 mos...just nurse when you're home with the baby and supplement with formula when you're not!! Don't torture yourself!

--A reformed self-torturer

[Anonymous]

OP here - I'm using a Medela PIS.

I only pumped once - at 10:30 and got 1 oz in almost 20 mins. I nursed before I left at 7:30am I was going tp pump again in the afternoon, but I went home early at 3 and just nursed when I got home. I tried a pumping marathon when I accepted the job and didnt get much. Since then I've been trying to pump morning and night and only getting 1-2 oz per session. Perhaps I dont have any milk bc I am pregnant? Or maybe I can nurse but just cant pump?

[Anonymous]

You're doing fine. Your body just has to learn to respond to the pump.

Block out time on your calendar each day -- try to make it for the same times you used to nurse your baby when you were home. Bring a picture, your babe's jammies, anything that helps trigger letdown. (Alternatively, arm yourself with a Sudoku and US Weekly -- for me, taking my mind completely off my milking session was what helped things to flow.)

Don't watch the bottles -- it'll stress you out. Drink insane amounts of water during the day. When you're home, you could also try nursing on one side and pumping on the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC's already 9 mos...just nurse when you're home with the baby and supplement with formula when you're not!! Don't torture yourself!

--A reformed self-torturer

Amen!

[Anonymous]

If you are pregnant it is not unlikely that your milk supply is reducing.

I was nursing my DS and when I became pregnant, my supply did decrese. I continued to nurse him in the morning and evening until I was about 4 months pregnant - but I really do not hink he was getting much.

[Anonymous]

I too, could only pump very small amounts while I was at work. I chalked it up to being an unnatural place to pump ( not to mention I hated pumping to begin with! ). Try and relax, drink a lot of water before hand and go with the flow. Whatever amount you get is fine and you can supplement if needed. The more stress you add to it, the harder it will be on you.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to ask yourself, do you want to supplement? Are you okay with it? If you feel you are okay with it then do so. I really wanted to make it to the year mark. I was pregnant with #2 at 9 mos and my supply did dip for a bit but then went back up. I pumped for a few months but I have to admit, it is literally draining when you are pregnant to continue bfing (at least for me). The ped said I could start whole milk at 11-11.5 months and I had a three-week supply in the freezer so was able to make it the year. But you need to do what is best for you, your baby, and the little one growing inside you too! If you do continue to try to pump, the best thing that worked for me was drinking lots of water.

[Anonymous]

It could be a let down problem. If you have the PIS, try starting your pump session on low suction, high frequency (similar to what babies do to trigger letdown). Do everything you can to RELAX. It really helped me to take slow, deep breaths that filled my body while visualizing my baby right there nursing with me. I found that when pumping let down was all about presence for me. I had to be super-relaxed and in the nursing zone. Once letdown happened, I just switched the PIS to lower speed, higher suction and typically got 4-6 ounces very quickly.

Good luck! Also, if you work downtown and have the time, you might want to make an appointment at the Breastfeeding Center on K Street. They're really supportive and helpful for pumping moms (all moms, actually.)

[Anonymous]

My best pumping advice is in this article: http://workingmoms.about.com/od/todaysworkingmoms/a/pumpingtips.htm

Just skip the basic stuff or things you've already tried.

And I agree with the PPs who said if you want to quit, just quit and enjoy your baby and get rest for the new one you're growing inside of you. But if you want to keep pumping, there are a lot of things you can try to boost your supply. Also, even 1-2 oz is something! Especially since your baby has started solids, you won't need as much breastmilk in the months to come.

FWIW, I dropped the pump like a hot potato as soon as my pediatrician okayed cows milk, but continued to nurse morning & night for another year and a bit (through my second pregnancy).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC's already 9 mos...just nurse when you're home with the baby and supplement with formula when you're not!! Don't torture yourself!

--A reformed self-torturer

I was thinking of doing the same thing but thought I had to pump at work to maintain my milk production. Does this mean you don't pump at work? If so, are you still able to maintain a milk production with nursing only when you're home????

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people are missing the point about the fact that you are pregnant. When I got pregnant, my supply dipped some at first, but then seriously got low when I was about 12-16 weeks. My supply basically dried up by about the middle of the second trimester. Yes, I recommend you give up pumping and supplement if necessary. When you are pg, you may not be able to increase your supply.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for all the advice.

Day 2 of work and havent even had a chance to pump yet bc I've been in training all day. Pumped before I nursed her this morning and only got about an oz. I am 17 weeks and I just think I dont have the milk.

I am still going to try to nurse in the morning and at night but it is way more important to me that DC has enough to eat/drink, even if it doesnt all come from me.

Thanks!