Induced lactation timeline?

[MilkbarMom]

I am trying to induce lactation naturally with the use of herbs and lots of pumping. Does anyone have any experience in this, and have any idea how long to stick it out before trying the medical "protocol"?....which I was trying to avoid. I have been pumping now for 4.5 weeks, and taking herbs all herbs that long, except for Goat's Rue which I have been on for almost 2 weeks.

I am taking:
Fenugreek
Blessed Thistle
More Milk Plus
Goat's Rue

And pumping every 2-3 hours from 6am until midnight with a Avent Isis Duo and with a Limerick Pj's comfort breast pump.

Thanks!

[buttercupmama]

Wow, I had gotten a concoction from my naturopath and it took me 3 days if I remember right... I think it was similar to the More Milk Plus product. I pumped every 2 hours for 15 minutes on each side. I used the Medela Harmony. I think the pump itself has a lot to do with it, that's why I chose the one I did.

ETA: I also used a lot of mind power, visualizing it all working and the milk coming in. But this isn't for everyone...just thought I'd metion it. The mind is a powerful tool.

[MilkbarMom]

Yup, doing the visualization, meditating, the whole thing. The pumps seem more than adequate, they are very stimulating. I chose not to go with a Medela because with my other two children I barely responded to a Medela pump. I did not mention before, but I am double pumping for 20-30 minutes each time. Still nothing.

[buttercupmama]

Damn, well I certainly wish you luck.

[MilkbarMom]

oh well, I guess I will just keep pumping

[guestmama9916]

How about renting a Medela for a few weeks to see if that helps. I have the Avent Isis IQ Duo and had trouble establishing and maintaining an adequate supply with it initially. My DD was a preemie. I switched to the Medela Lactina with 27 mm shields for comfort and I had no problems whatsoever.

[MilkbarMom]

Thanks for the suggestion about a Medela. I just don't see it working for me....I nursed my girls for over 6 consecutive years, and when I tried pumping with a Lactina....you would have thought I was starving my children! I could get no more than 1 ounce at most after pumping for 30 minutes. It just never worked for me, I even invested in different size flanges..... but an Avent manual pump worked great.

[MilkbarMom]

Well, I ordered Shatavari, so we will see how it goes after I start on that too.

Anyone else have any words of wisdom?

[zombie]

I took herbs for a month and pumped for 3 weeks before I gave up on natural and started domperidone (still pumping). I had milk within a day or two of starting the domperidone.

[MilkbarMom]

Does anyone have any experience with the Medela Symphony? I am going to try that one next. I have heard it is way better than the Lactina, which did not do much for me.