Increasing supply

[brisco]

I am pumping and just plain cannot get my supply above 12 oz/day. In fact, lately I can't even get 10.

I know part of the problem is that I can't pump often enough, as I spend my days chasing after a very active 10 month old so I can really only pump when he's asleep.

I'm eating oatmeal most days, taking fenugreek and have even forced myself to drink Guinness (I don't really care for it). I was drinking milkmaid tea but it didn't seem to help at all. I'm not sure anything is helping.

I double pump with 2 Avent IQ Uno electric pumps. I did rent a Medela Symphony, but I got less with that than with my Avent Isis manual pump, so I sent it back.

What else can I do?

Just ftr, I am pumping because my son has refused to nurse for well over a month now. I'd rather get him back on the breast than pump any day, but I haven't been able to and that's a whole separate issue. I really don't want advice on that here on this thread, just advice on how to pump more. Thanks.

[ArtistMama]

Try a hot shower before pumping, and make sure you are warm where you're pumping. I found that I couldn't pump as much if I was chilly.

Look at a pic of the baby, preferably crying (worked for me...her newborn screaming pic), and/or imagine baby nursing with your eyes closed.

If you can, massage the breast from back to nipple, to push forward the milk. For some reason it worked for me, and got more letdown.

I hope you have better luck.

[MaryJaneLouise]

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/p..._decrease.html

has some good ideas.