How do I make more milk?

[cricketsmomma]

I nursed my first baby for 2 years with no problems. We had tons of milk in the freezer, I pumped 2-3 times a day at work, and I was constantly overflowing. My new LO is 4 months old and I have nothing to pump! He is growing well and is super-happy, but I am panicking because I can't pump enough. The milk just doesn't seem to be there. I never feel filled up, and when I pump (even if I save up for several hours) the most I seem to get is 3 ounces per side. I never had problems pumping. I have 2 electrics and a manual, and it doesn't matter what pump I use. I have no milk at all in the freezer, which makes me really nervous.
It seems like I can pump more on Monday/Tuesday after being with him all weekend, and by the end of the week I'm only getting 1.5 or 2 ounces per side. With my first baby I used to get 6 ounces per side 2-3 times a day.
I try to pump on the weekends and can maybe collect an extra ounce or two, but he goes through all of that by Tuesday.
How can I make more milk? What works? I'm really worried about this. I will NOT surrender to formula. But I'm the breadwinner, there's no way I can stay home with him.
Please help!

[eclipse]

Are you using the same pump you did last time around? Have you tried replacing all the valves and tubing? Trying a different pump?

Have you tried pumping first thing in the morning, even on weekends? My first pump if the day always netted me the most milk, even if I had to pump on one side and nurse on the other.

ETA - I just realized you said that it didn't seem to matter which pump, so there goes that suggestion. I still think checking/replacing parts on your main electric pump might be a consideration. How many times a day and at what frequency are you pumping?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Could it be that the pumps you have now need new seals? I have read before that they get old and makes the pump not as effective.

[hotharmony]

That is a totally normal amount to get while pumping.
Keep in mind that the average mom can express between ONE and THREE oz per pumping session (not per breast, per session). (http://www.mother-2-mother.com/pumping.htm) It sounds like before you had an over supply.

What do you need with 18 oz of breastmilk a day? The average breastfeed baby only takes 24oz of milk total per day or an oz an hour.

[cricketsmomma]

really, an ounce an hour?
Mauri needs about 5 4-oz bottles while I'm at work, so that's 20 oz in the 9 hours I'm away. His sister usually needed the same.
I tried both my older pumps, then bought a new one with new tubes (all Medelas). Plus I tried my manual (Avent Isis, always worked great before), with new silicone parts. I can tell there just isn't as much milk in me. I agree that I probably had an over-supply before, but how can I have an under-supply now? DH has to ration the milk and play distraction games every afternoon til I get home.
I have read that borage increases milk supply. Any other ideas?

[PatioGardener]

Be careful with Borage - I think it is actually contraindicated (I may have read that in Hale's, but I don't have a copy with me to check) and Kellymom gives a warning about it http://kellymom.com/herbal/milksuppl..._a.html#borage .

[Megan73]

It sounds like your DCP is overfeeding. BF babies' intake averages 25 oz a day and your LO is drinking 20 ounces in 8 hours?
Check out this link on how much pumped milk to leave: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
There's also info on kellymom.com about bottle-feeding the BF baby. I'd have your DCP read it.

[user_name]

2 words: kelly. mom.

[cricketsmomma]

well, if I calculate it on kellymom it looks like I'll need 16 oz or so while I'm at work. and today was a good pumping day - I got 3 ounces this morning, then 8 more. THAT'S ONLY 11! Why why why? I was up at 3 this morning and managed to squeeze out an ounce and a half. and I just got home - after mauri nurses I can probably squeeze out another ounce. And I'll pump at bedtime too.
We don't use daycare, my husband stays home. he's pretty good at rationing, and mauri is pretty good at not overeating I think - he's not a comfort nurser or anything like his sister was. He sucks his thumb when he needs to relax.
I'm going to try the power pump idea. I really like the kellymom site!