Preparing during pregnancy to have higher supply?

[LilMomma83]

I ended up with low supply with DS1 and DS2...I was able to nurse DS1 for almsot 3 years, supplimenting...and DS2 weaned around 5 months, but, I was able to pump at least a little for him until about 7 months but he wouldn't latch...I started supplimenting at 4 months with DS1 and 2 months with DS2...I am sure it partially had to do with working and not responding well to pumping, and I'm not sure if latch or anything else had an affect...I had no problems getting my milk to come in (though I was tandem nursing the second time around, so I have no idea how much work DS2 did - he seemed to have a pretty weak suck - but then that was in comparison to a 2yo lol).

Anyway, as far as I know there is no biological problem with my breasts or anything, but, I do anticipate it to be an issue again, because again I will return to work early (I returned at 12 weeks with DS1, 9 days with DS2 and probably about 2 weeks or so this time)...

So, I am just wondering if there is anything I can do (diet, suppliment, ANYTHING) while pregnant to prepare myself to have better supply this time? I am going to be stocked up on domperidone and I have an SNS this time (I bought it for DS2 but he refused the breast with it and I think it traumatized him because he only latched a couple times after that) but I am 100% against bottles for supplimenting this time if I am anywhere near baby...and I am going to try and offer as much as possible even at night etc etc...but, I still wonder if there is more that I can do before baby is born? I think I am just paranoid...I felt pretty happy with how things went with DS1 - I don't mind him having some formula, but, I feel terrible about DS2 weaning so early - and lately he keeps asking to nurse (he is 23mos) and it just makes me so sad that I can't share that with him (toddelr nursing was actually my favorite - its so sweet, and I feel its hard to comfort DS2 the way I could DS1).

Ramble ramble ramble.....probably way more info than I needed to add....but hoping there is something I can do now, I think it will just make me feel better even if it doesn't work! LOL!

[CheriK]

Ew, your maternity leave is so short!  That makes it so hard, because milk supply isn't established until about 5-6 weeks postpartum.  So you're having to establish supply with a pump and introduce bottles while baby is still learning to breastfeed.  I know you can't tell yourself how to feel, but you should be proud of how much breastmilk your babies received.  You had a tough way to start.  And yes, I agree, toddler nursing is so sweet.  Would you be interested in letting DS2 try to nurse once baby arrives?  He might be able to. . .

There's really not much you can do physically while still pregnant besides take good care of youself, get plenty of rest, eat lots of good healthy foods.  The book Nursing Mother's Herbal by Sheila Humphrey has several lactation teas that can also be taken during pregnancy; some moms find herbs to help with supply.  You might want to spend this time reading about establishing a milk supply while pumping, because that's primarily what you'll be doing.  And although it might be tempting to try and start pumping at home after baby arrives, ideally those 2 weeks could be spent focusing on getting breastfeeding off to the best start possible.

Do you have a support network?  Local La Leche League group?  Know a GOOD local IBCLC w/ experience w/ pumping to establish supply?  You could start building that support now, because you'll want to get help ASAP if you have any concerns at all. 

What kind of pump do you have?  Are you going to be using the same pump that you've used in the past?  Pump motors wear out over time, so if you don't have a new pump, getting the motor checked & making sure all your parts are in good condition (or replacing them), making sure you have a good flange fit once you start pumping, will all help maximize output.  And you might even want to consider renting a hospital-grade pump for a couple of months, while your milk supply is being established.  You will probably need to pump more frequently at first, while your supply is being established and you're away from baby, so if your employeer isn't supportive coming up with a plan and negotiating for the time you need.

The website lowmilksupply.org has lots of good information about pumping to increase supply, bottle feeding in ways that preserve breastfeeding, determining when/how much to supplement. 

[LilMomma83]

Thanks for the reply, Cheri!

I'm open to my toddler nursing when baby comes, I don't think he remembers how though, I've let him try a few times and his just half sucked and then laughed. He knows what they are for though (but, we have also been reading a book about a baby that grows in its mommy's tummy and comes out and drinks from its mommy's breasts) he asks for, "a drink" from them. I doubt he actually remembers though...I'm not sure what has prompted the interest in nursing, it was before the book - I guess he must have just seen a baby nurse or his brother told him or something...

I think we are pretty healthy (at least compared to mainstream people lol - probably not at all compared to most mom's on here!) And I actually just started going to the gym/biking/walking again, I had been feeling to sick.

I'm going to try and get a hold of that book - I am willing to try anything, though I know one has to be careful with some herbs during pregnancy. I think the more things I try the better I feel at least, even if it doesn't work out!

Do you think there is harm in pumping so long as I am only putting baby to breast though? Last time I started pumping as soon as my milk came in, trying to trick my breasts into making more, it actually worked for a little while, but, it dipped pretty quick after going back to work.

I have pretty good support, I suppose between my mom, LLL, and LC/hospital breastfeeding group (also does free before/after feeding weights - not that I can go much because of work, but, I found that useful with DS1). ...unfortunately my mom and LLL it seems like nobody has really BTDT, you know? Everyone's answer is to put baby to the breast more - and it's just not feasible, I wish it was! My hubby is supportive, but, also worries about me - I think he realized before I did last time how crazy I got (I got a little crazy trying to make things work towards the end...finally I realized I just had to stop in order to respect my baby and myself - but, I still feel sad about it even though I have pretty much made peace with me decision). I think that is the hardest thing - for me and thsoe supporting me...just how far is too far, you know?

I used a Medela PIS with DS1 and hated it - it hurt and I never got much with it so I gave it away to a mom who desperately needed one when hers quit working and bought and Avent Duo Electric (inbetween kids), I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Avent, it feels great and in the beggining I was getting lots of milk with it, I wasn't able to use it much outside of home though because I only had about 10mins between classes (I was in school still at the time) so I was using a manual or hand expression inbetween classes most of the time..I;m sure that hurt my supply too! I am getting ready to replace the valves etc on my Avents just in case (they look ok, but, its been sitting for a while) and I just replaced the tubing (which is electric) about a month before I weaned DS2 but I may order and extra again just in case I should need it. My only issue is that the Avent Duo cannot do one sided pumping (to pump while feeding on the other side)...so I don't know if I should purchase a pump just for that? I borrowed a Bailey last time for that purpose but I got nothing no matter how I did the suction - I didn't get it until late though...I wonder if I could use the cushions from my Avent's breast sheilds on a different pump..that's what I really like about it... I will have to see if my insurance covers pump rentals too...I may just try that because it certainly can't hurt!

I'm actually looking for work still (I have a summer job, and can stay on during the year, but, its not a position very condusive to pumping) so I hope I end up somewhere breastfeeding friendly! I did have a really good breastfeeding friend/coworker and we had our own room (a storage closet actually, but, we made it nice) that we used and everyone knew not to go in when we they heard the wirrr of the pump! And my boss was super cool about me breaking to pump - his wife breastfed, so I think that helped...I still work there PT, but, if I am still there after this one is born it will be a differenant position and that boss is pretty anti-breastfeeding unfortunately...but, so many have done it before me I think it will be ok.

I have use lowmilksupply.org before, but, I will bookmark it again, I'm sure it will help! Ideally I would like to do no supplimenting at home (I will be easy on myself if I have to send some formula to daycare). But, if I do I want to handle it the best way possible..

Thanks again for the info/support! I'm actually starting to feel better just realizing that I actually have a plan and I do know a thing or two more than before...