I think this belongs here rather than challenges. I know part of this may be a natural part of having an older baby who is recently eating loads of solids...but my pumping output has had a major decrease in the past month or two. I have a few factors against me. PPAF returned at 6.5 months (though I have only had 2 cycles in this time). We introduced solids at 6 months and DD is an eating machine. 
She loves to eat. Her nursing sessions have not decreased, still nurses 2 times at night (On a good night ...). Total nursing sessions about 8 times a day, solids up to 3-4 times a day. Meanwhile, she is pretty petite...not sure where she puts it all!
I began with oversupply and OALD. Initially I could pump so well, even with the manual, that I barely pumped for fear of increasing my already insane milk supply. Next time I will just pump and store for the sense of security! When I went back to work at 12 weeks PP I was pumping 3-4 ounces a side. As things leveled off I could still get 4 ounces occasionally when I was really full, and 1-2 ounces from the side last nursed on. Now I am down to 1-1.5 ounces per side on average. Sometimes less, 2 ounces at the most. I sometimes go way too long before pumping (I aim for every 3 hours, but it can be up to 5 or 6). I have gone 4 hours and still only pumped a measily 2 ounces total. When I have had to go 6 I usually get more, but not as much as I'd expect. DD still only nurses on one side each feeding, so I am quite sure it is a pumping problem and not a supply problem. Sometimes I actually yield more when single pumping and using the manual which is tedious.
FYI- I use an Ameda purely yours ultra. Was new with this baby. I've replaced the white valves. I've tried hand expressing and breast massage. Nothing really helping at this point. I also try to have oatmeal days I work at least.
I know that some people never pump more than .5-2 ounces a side. Is that what my life is going to be like now that DD is 9 months old? I've talked to other people who thought I had a problem, but I'm not sure if they didn't pump this long or if they were super pumpers even in the later months and toddlerhood. Is there a way that I can boost my supply to more than I really need in order to pump more? Pumping 5-6 times a day just for her 3, 3-3.5 ounce bottles is becoming exhausting. I want to be storing more and feeling like I can offer her milk in a cup, or with her cereal and foods, without stealing from her bottles of milk or depleting my emergency stash.
I am thinking about herbs now. I bought some Mother's Milk tea tonight. How much should I drink. Should that be enough to jump start me to pump better? I have never felt I was a 'good' pumper. Even with over supply and leaky boobs I would have times where I was pumping 2 ounces, so I knew that there was more left my pump couldn't extract. I plan to continue nursing for at least another year or so. This means I will be pumping into toddlerhood until she is down to just nursing when with me and otherwise not needing my pumped milk. Please tell me that there is a way to make this easier!!!
She loves to eat. Her nursing sessions have not decreased, still nurses 2 times at night (On a good night ...). Total nursing sessions about 8 times a day, solids up to 3-4 times a day. Meanwhile, she is pretty petite...not sure where she puts it all!I began with oversupply and OALD. Initially I could pump so well, even with the manual, that I barely pumped for fear of increasing my already insane milk supply. Next time I will just pump and store for the sense of security! When I went back to work at 12 weeks PP I was pumping 3-4 ounces a side. As things leveled off I could still get 4 ounces occasionally when I was really full, and 1-2 ounces from the side last nursed on. Now I am down to 1-1.5 ounces per side on average. Sometimes less, 2 ounces at the most. I sometimes go way too long before pumping (I aim for every 3 hours, but it can be up to 5 or 6). I have gone 4 hours and still only pumped a measily 2 ounces total. When I have had to go 6 I usually get more, but not as much as I'd expect. DD still only nurses on one side each feeding, so I am quite sure it is a pumping problem and not a supply problem. Sometimes I actually yield more when single pumping and using the manual which is tedious.
FYI- I use an Ameda purely yours ultra. Was new with this baby. I've replaced the white valves. I've tried hand expressing and breast massage. Nothing really helping at this point. I also try to have oatmeal days I work at least.
I know that some people never pump more than .5-2 ounces a side. Is that what my life is going to be like now that DD is 9 months old? I've talked to other people who thought I had a problem, but I'm not sure if they didn't pump this long or if they were super pumpers even in the later months and toddlerhood. Is there a way that I can boost my supply to more than I really need in order to pump more? Pumping 5-6 times a day just for her 3, 3-3.5 ounce bottles is becoming exhausting. I want to be storing more and feeling like I can offer her milk in a cup, or with her cereal and foods, without stealing from her bottles of milk or depleting my emergency stash.
I am thinking about herbs now. I bought some Mother's Milk tea tonight. How much should I drink. Should that be enough to jump start me to pump better? I have never felt I was a 'good' pumper. Even with over supply and leaky boobs I would have times where I was pumping 2 ounces, so I knew that there was more left my pump couldn't extract. I plan to continue nursing for at least another year or so. This means I will be pumping into toddlerhood until she is down to just nursing when with me and otherwise not needing my pumped milk. Please tell me that there is a way to make this easier!!!
