what's the best way to pump to increase my supply?

[sattygirl99]

I started out pumping every 2 hours around the clock because DS wasn't transfering well... Then I would supplement him at the breast with what I'd pumped. Now he's transfering alot better and the every 2 hour pumping increased my supply in a week. He's still supplemented at the breast but I've slacked on pumping due to a severe yeast infection.

I would like to increase my supply so that around 6-8 weeks old, I can start weaning from supplements. He is 3 weeks 3 days. Our last test feed, he took 1 1/4 oz by actively nursing one breast and then nursing to sleep on the other (not an active feed by any means). We're supplementing 1 oz per feeding right now and I'm planning another test feed tomorrow. If he's taking more than he was last week, I may consider dropping the supplement down to 1 oz every other feed and/or half oz per feeding... Maybe. I'm not trying to rush it, I'd like to have a nice strong supply first.

My current pumping output is about 1-1.5 oz every 2-3 hours, more in the morning as usual. I feel like he's always nursing so I'm not sure when to pump to increase my supply. If I pump every 2 hours, I'm taking away from him and supplementing more through the lact-aid... So do I wait 10-15 min after he nurses and then pump for 10 min? Will that increase my supply?

I'm also taking domperidone (was 90mg, increasing to 120mg), MMP tincture (4ML 3x day), shatavari (1000mg 3x day) and drinking 2 different teas designed to increase milk. He does not get a bottle but does get a paci because he has such a high need to suck... He won't sleep without sucking so I nurse him to sleep and then give the paci.

Thanks for any insight! I feel confident that I can increase my supply to meet his needs and wean from supplements but I need a little encouragement... I have a few friends who are of the mindset that he's supp'ed with breastmilk so why not just let him take whatever he wants.

[pinky]

I know there was at least one study that showed that the best way to increase supply was to increase the length of the pumping session (continuing pumping for several minutes after there was no more milk coming) rather than adding additional pumping sessions.

[sattygirl99]

hmm... I already do that... Milk stops flowing for me between 5-10 min of pumping and I usually keep going for 15-20 total min of pumping... I have a forceful milk ejection and all of my milk comes out in the first letdown, to the upwards of 1.5 oz per size sometimes. To get a second letdown, I've got to stop and wait about 10 min and then start again.

I thought I had read the opposite though! Interesting!

[Heba]

There are two schools of thought...one is that longer/fewer sessions yield more, one is that shorter/more frequent yield more! Not very helpful, I'm afraid. Hopefully you'll find something which works for you. Sounds like you're doing a great job so far - well done, mama!

[Heba]

A couple of other things which you may well already be aware of:
- simultaneous double pumping has been found to increase yield more than single pumping
- breast compressions while pumping, followed by hand expression, also increase yield (google hands on pumping stanford for more info)
- if you don't already have a hospital-grade pump, it might be worth looking into renting one short term to establish supply. Other pumps can be great for when milk supply is established.

Good luck, and please let us know how you get on!

[sattygirl99]

Heba - Thanks... I've always double pumped and I do compressions both while pumping and nursing... I also have a medela lactina since he was 5 days old.