Supply keeps decreasing - any suggestions?

[cheryllynn]

Hi All -

I realize there have been several threads on pumping but I don't see a case that is like mine.

My dd is 9 1/2 months old. At first, pumping went well and I was able to get 6 - 8 ounces per session. Then month six started and I was down to 3 - 4 ounces. Everyone I talked to thought it was me. Well, sadly, it might have been, but it might have been my pump, which I got used. By January my pump stopped working. It had gradually lost suction and then stopped. I am now renting a hospital grade pump - a Lactina. But in the three weeks I've used this pump I now pump 1 - 2 ounces per session. So I need to do two pumping sessions just to get one 3.5 ounce bottle.

I have added fenugreek and drink lots of Mother's Milk tea. I eat oatmeal every day. I've been looking for a donor to help out with the last few months but have had no luck - not here nor on Milk Share.

I have always gotten up at 3 a.m. to pump extra during the night even though dd started sleeping through the night at 3 months. So I do have a little stash, although I think it's only three week's worth.

I need to have a medical procedure and start medication in four weeks. I'd like to pump as much as I can before I stop breastfeeding and pumping.

Any ideas on what I could do?

Thank you,
Cheryl

[dachshundqueen]

Have you consulted with your pedi or a local LC to discuss nursing management and/or pharmaceuticals to improve your supply temporarily until this procedure given the lack of local availability to donor milk?

Are you doing breast compressions while pumping? How about breast massage during the break between let-downs?

Liz

[HappyHappyMommy]

Hi Cheryl,

It sounds like you're doing so many good things! A few other things that might help:

--Check everything on the pump. Get new membranes. Make sure that you have the right size shields, etc. Initially I was told I'd need bigger shields. So I got those and starting pumping less. Finally, I saw an excellent LC who watched me pump and immediately said "Those shields are too large." I stopped, tried the initial ones I had and while it was better, she said "I think you still need smaller ones." Sure enough, with the smaller ones I was able to pump more and it was much more comfortable. I have fairly large sized breasts and my LC told me that a common error that women are told is that large breasts = large shield. She said in fact that overall breast size is irrelevant to shield size because it's really about nipple size. So a woman with small breasts (overall) could need small, medium, or large shields as could a woman with medium sized breasts or large breasts.

--See if you can find an LC with expertise/knowledge of pumping. Lots of LCs just focus on direct breastfeeding, but if you can find an LC with expertise/knowledge of pumping and have her observe you pumping, that might help greatly in determining if and, if so, what *you* can do that might make a difference.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you.

[HappyHappyMommy]

I have personally tried the Ameda (though I know others who have and liked it) and I'm not sure which of the Ameda's are hospital grade, but I would definitely recommend a hospital grade pump (of an brand) over a non-hospital grade one.

[cheryllynn]

Hi All - thank you for your comments.

I am currently using a hospital grade pump.

I have replaced the membranes, although I had two bad ones this 3a.m. session and quickly switched them out and tossed them.

It seems the next step is to see an LC, I have talked over the phone a few times. It would be nice to see if I am doing something wrong with the pump. I don't know if the shields are the right size, although I am pretty sure I don't need larger, but not sure if I could do better with smaller. I will call the LC/hospital where from where I'm renting the pump.

Thank you -
Cheryllynn

[jillmamma]

One tip I have heard some people say is to pump on one side while nursing on the other, as sometimes the baby can trigger a better letdown. Could you try that?

I know for myself when pumping too, if I do it a couple of minutes longer than just emptying the breasts, and concentrate on a picture of my baby and thoughts of her, I can sometimes trigger another letdown for an extra oz or two.

Also, I am sure you are already doing this, but make sure you stay hydrated as that will help too.

Good luck to you!

[texmati]

You might try this pumping technique:

http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastf...roduction.html

It's sucks about the bad pump. There should be a way to test them! I think I missed it, but are you pumping exclusively, or just during the day?

[Megan73]

Sounds like you're doing the right things - kudos for setting the alarm at 3 a.m. to pump, mama!
A couple of things. Have you started hormonal birth control? That could have hurt your supply.
Two things I'd suggest. I echo PPs that it would help to see a LC. Also, if the herbs haven't helped, I'd try taking domperidone.
Also, are you SURE you'll have to stop breastfeeding when you start these meds? Have you looked it up in Dr. Hale's book? I ask because many doctors don't know much about breastfeeding and tell mamas to stop when it's unnecessary but ignore me if you've already checked it out.
Good luck!