Supply question?

[trekkingirl]

With my last child I breastfed for 14mo while I worked and pumped. I never had enough milk to offer when I wasn't home. I could never produce much milk. I plan on pumping at work again when I go back to work in May. My daughter is due early February. Since I had supply issues before, does that mean I will have supply issues again? If yes, what are some things I can do to increase my supply? Thanks!

[ariatrance]

I haven't had supply issues with my one breastfed child but this is what I've gleaned from La Leche meetings:

You may not have supply issues with this new child because each breastfeeding relationship is different.

Since you know ahead of time that you want to pump, you should use your maternity leave to increase your supply to over what you need. Um, start out higher than necessary so if your supply drops from pumping you'll be right where you need to be? Is that better stated?

Basically it is all supply and demand. So if you demand more from your breasts, they should produce more. Once baby is about two weeks old, you could add pumping sessions in between feedings (double pump) or while feeding (single pump unused breast).

This will hopefully help you get started thinking through the process before baby gets here. At least, give you something to research on the internet!

[trekkingirl]

anybody else have any experience with this?

[Altair]

Reverse cycling was my biggest weapon.. making sure to leave SMALL bottles (3.5-4oz at the most) and only leaving 2-3 of them and using the pacifier more when I was gone so that he wasn't eating the bottle just to suck. That way I was always pumping more than he needed and we nursed all evening/night long. Co-sleeping made that possible.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Get a good pump, like if you can rent a hospital grade Medela or otherwise for the first 6 months or so that would be your best option. The PIS and similar electric ones are great for some, but for some they don't provide enough stimulation (this was the case with me) and so your supply can dwindle during that time away.

Other than that, pump often- 3X minimum during a 8-10 hr separation.

GL, working and pumping is hard work.

[trekkingirl]

So it is possible that this time around I could have a more abundant milk supply? What do you know about increasing milk supply if I don't? Supplements?

I should say that I was able to breastfeed for 14mo while pumping 3 times a day at work. He only got formula when he was about 12mo old when I finally wasn't able to produce enough to cover my shift. I will be provided a madela hospital pump through my insurance for three months. After that I have a madela double electric pump. You know, the one in the black bag.

About a pacifier...
DS was stuck on his till 3yo and I really wanted to try to avoid that this time around. I think the advice about a pacifier for sucking while I'm away is good advice though. Maybe I should let baby nurse for sucking when I'm home to increase my supply? I don't know?

[mwright]

I am back to work p/t and pumping with the medela hand pump. My son is 4 mo old and nursing is going great despite me working a few days a week. I will tell you this, taking Fenugreek Seed has saved my supply. When my supply started to dwindle and my ds was getting frustrated at my slow let down, I started taking the suppliment and it made all the difference in the world! Also, co-sleeping and allowing him to nurse as much as he wants helps too! I figure he is making up for lost nursing sessions and he is putting the demand on so that I can make the supply.

GL!

[haydn'smommy]

I had the same problem as you with my first. I never pumped enough and we supplemented with formula in spite of me using domperidone and all manner of herbs. I was determined not to let this happen with the second. I actually started some herbs that were safe during pregnancy (alfalfa, nettle, RRL, and goat's rue) and took them from 36 wks until delivery. The first two weeks I nursed and nursed and nursed and didn't worry about pumping. At three weeks, I started pumping one side while he nursed the other at night. All this milk went into the freezer. I also started back on domperidone about this time because I was not keeping up with baby's needs. At 6 wks, I started adding 2 pumping sessions during the day in between feedings. By the time I went back to work at 8wks, I had 300oz in the freezer and was pumping 20-24oz/day in addition to nursing 6-8 times/day. I ended up with an oversupply from the domperidone (which was find considering without it I had a low supply) and I actually donated 800 oz or so to another mom.
Every nursing relationship is different. You may have no problems this time. But, if you see that you are, use the knowledge that you gleaned from your struggles with your first to help correct any problems this go round.

[trekkingirl]

wow thats a lot of milk. maybe if I have supply issues again I should try to get on that medicine.

I think I tried fenugreek with DS but it was really expensive.

I don't remember him ever having an 8oz bottle the whole time I breastfed him. and we weaned at 14mo. I guess I got lucky that he didn't fuss much about the lack of a full tummy.