Breastfeeding after FTT - pump recommendations

[Serenity Now]

I've breastfed 3 kids, and never had an over supply. My oldest 2 were borderline FTT, and my third was FTT. She didn't gain a single ounce in 6 months, and had trouble meeting her milestones. I tried everything. Really. And then when none of that worked, I tried formula, which she refused. I wish they made formula taste more like breastmilk so babies wouldn't refuse it, but that's neither here nor there. We barely escaped a feeding tube.

I was using a Pump in Style to try to increase my supply, but I never got much milk out of it. I'm thinking about getting a hospital grade pump for this next one. I don't want to deal with FTT and all the stress that comes with it again. I don't want to do donated milk, either.

What's a good pump for those of us who don't get any milk when pumping? Obviously the pump in style wasn't good enough for me previously, so what do I try next?

[Asiago]

DId you try hand expression? It's said to increase prolactin levels too, perhaps the skin on skin is a factor in the nipple stimulation.

[Serenity Now]

I tried everything. Seriously.

Would a hospital grade pump be worth the investment over a commercial?

[Alenushka]

I would start mixing formula with BM in a bottle from day one so she can get used to the taste right away and gain  weight from the start.

[Megan73]

I would try renting a Medela Symphony. It did seem to get out more milk than my PIS.
But pumping isn't the only thing to do to increase supply. Have you tried taking domperidone? Have you had your babes checked for tongue tie?
The book The Nursing Mother's Guide to Making More Milk has some great ideas.
Good luck.

[Serenity Now]

Originally Posted by Alenushka 

I would start mixing formula with BM in a bottle from day one so she can get used to the taste right away and gain  weight from the start.

That's a thought. My kids tend to start out gaining weight OK. It's a little slow, but definitely within the normal range. It's just that by 6 months my supply starts to decrease, and by 9 months it is nearly gone and their weight starts to drop. With my last one it was more severe than with the other 2, but even so, it is not ideal.

Originally Posted by Megan73 

I would try renting a Medela Symphony. It did seem to get out more milk than my PIS.
But pumping isn't the only thing to do to increase supply. Have you tried taking domperidone? Have you had your babes checked for tongue tie?
The book The Nursing Mother's Guide to Making More Milk has some great ideas.
Good luck.

Yes, I tried everything!! My youngest is 4.5 now, but there is not anything out there I didn't try. We saw at least 10 lactation consultants, nutritionists, geneticists, cardiologists, therapists, I tried every single thing that is supposed to boost your supply, and we saw a gazillion specialists trying to figure out why she wouldn't grow or meet her milestones. Sorry to be crabby, but I did it ALL. I was not going to give up. And when everything failed, I tried formula, which was completely refused. I've been wondering if it is even worth trying to breastfeed this time around since there is a clear pattern with me that for the first 4-6 months things are OK (usual issues, thrush, mastitis, jaundice, latch stuff, all resolvable) and then my period comes back and my supply disappears. I thought that if I was able to express any milk, maybe I could boost my supply, or possibly save it in the freezer for after my supply goes away. A commercial pump did nothing for me, so I was wondering if a hospital grade might be worth the effort.

[LilMomma83]

That sounds so much like tongue tie....at least on my experience. And it took a TON of professionals to get it diagnosed with my youngest (never figured it out with my older two). Interestingly, after proper revision and craniosacral therapy my youngest went from being behind on her motor skills and failing to thrive to gaining weight and being at or ahead off her milestones. Incredible. You might look up and join "tongue tie babies support group" on Facebook and post your story and maybe even pics from under your kids' tongues and lips... Not saying that is it, just really sounds like a possibility and posterior tongue ties, especially, ate missed a lot even by IBCLCs.

[Asiago]

Originally Posted by Serenity Now 

 there is a clear pattern with me that for the first 4-6 months things are OK (usual issues, thrush, mastitis, jaundice, latch stuff, all resolvable) and then my period comes back and my supply disappears.

Just a thought.........what about trying Ecological Breastfeeding?

I had no idea that was even what I was doing until about 18 months into breastfeeding, but apparently I was. It just felt natural to do so.

Regardless, my point is that my period returned at 32 months.

If it just a normal endocrine pattern that is causing your supply to drop perhaps try maximizing the Lactational Ammenorhea state of your body.

Now this may already be something you did, or it may not even be a possibility for you, due to lifestyle or other factors, but perhaps it may make a difference..........just putting it out there as a suggestion.

Edited by Asiago - 8/20/12 at 1:10pm

[HappyHappyMommy]

Originally Posted by Serenity Now 
A commercial pump did nothing for me, so I was wondering if a hospital grade might be worth the effort.

Congratulations on your new little one, Serenity Now. I found that a hospital grade pump made a big difference for me. I used both a Medela Classic and a Medela Lactina and I got a lot more milk then with the Pump in Style. Is it possible to rent a hospital grade pump from a hospital or lactation center in your area? (I rented mine from a lactation center, but when I took a long trip, I found a local hospital that rented them and considered renting from there so I didn't have to transport my pump.) If so, I'd suggesting renting for a week and seeing how it goes. I didn't get a lot of milk at first with the hospital grade pump, but after a day or two, it really picked up for me.

Sending good wishes your way!