Breastfeeding/Pumping

Hi A., congrats on your baby girl! I too thought i had a supply issue but Thea was gaining weight fine and they weren't concerned. She also would only nurse in shorter spurts at first. When I would pump i would only get a small amount as well. I figure it as your body supplies on demand so if she is eating in small spurts you produce what she needs for the feeding...so you would only supply a smaller amount. Keep pumping and your supply should build up. as far as the pill is it the mini pill? I was on that also and had the same concern but it should not effect it that dramatically. keep on truckin i am sure it will be all good. hope I was a little help.

As long as she's gaining weight well and having plenty of wet/diry diapers, then she's getting enough milk. That's the *only* way to tell. A pump is not as efficient as baby, so don't ever judge your supply by how much you pump. Also, it's normal for babies to cluster feed in the evenings and seem to not be getting enough to eat. That's how they tank up for a longer sleep at night. Finally, she could be having a growth spurt, and you may feel "empty" for a few days (although you're never truly empty) as she nurses more frequently to build up your supply.

Like others have said, the pill could be affecting your milk supply, and you want to make sure that you're on the "mini pill" to help prevent that. You could also use a different form of birth control for the next few months until your milk supply is well established.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about pumping to increase your milk supply. Just let your daughter nurse as much as she wants, and she'll increase your supply on her own. You could choose 1-2 times per day to pump just to help build a freezer stash for when you go back to work, but that's up to you. Also, it's normal to only be able to pump about 2 ounces per session (that's both breasts), so don't expect to get 5-6 or more ounces (although you may once you go back to work and aren't nursing all day). www.kellymom.com has lots of nursing and pumping tips that you can try.

As for the spitting, I wouldn't worry too much if she's a "happy spitter." My kids were fairly spitty babies, and we never put them on meds, and they did just fine. Also, lots of spitting can be a sign of oversupply even though you seem to feel otherwise. Oversupply often comes as a surprise to moms, and as she gets older, and your supply adjusts to her needs, the spitting may decrease. We also found that caffeine caused one of my kids to spit more, so there may be a particular food sensitivity that you could eliminate from your diet.

Congrats on your new baby, and good luck!

I have a 6 month old son, and have been back to work for 3months, and continue to pump 3x a day at work.
I found lots of helpful information on this website for working moms:
http://www.workandpump.com/

I also got some great accessories at this website - LOVE the hands free strap-
http://www.pumpinpal.com/

In the beginning I could get very little milk when I tried to pump, but once I got to work I didn't have a problem. I pump about 14 oz during the work day. I had the best results when I nursed on one side & pumped on the other.

My daughter is 6 wks old and I have held off on taking the pill. I got my perscription filled but it says right on the information that it will decrease your milk supply. Yours may be doing the same thing.
Also, I started pumping and giving my daughter a bottle just to see how much she was eating. Turns out she was nursing what i thought was a long time but not getting anything, she was actully losing weight and when I pump I'm getting around 10 oz.
Pumping right after you nurse though should help your supply go up. Be aware if your supply goes up more then the demand then you will have issues of engorgement and that's not so comfy.

I found it helpful to pump one side while she nursed the other. Never used BC pills, so I don't know about it, but it can change hormone levels, depending on what you are on. Did the Dr. who prescribed them know you were breastfeeding? I am pretty sure that some are better than others for breastfeeding. Good luck!! And pumping, even though it can be a hassel is really worth it. My daughter is 15 mo and I still have expressed milk for her while I am at work, although she doesn't need much now.

Try pumping on one breast while she nurses on the other. I did that to build up my frozen supply before I went back to work.

Congrats! I also started pumping around 3-4weeks afterwards, and went on the mini-pill after 6 weeks. I never had a problem with the pill affecting my milk supply (still nursing a 6.5 month old and working full time/pumping) Don't Worry!!! The more you nurse and the more you pump, your supply will increase. The first few times I didn't get much at all either, but your baby is alot more efficient than any pump so she should be getting more. As long as she is gaining weight well, be patient. (My son nursed around 45 min when he was that young). I would let her eat, burp her/wait a few minutes, then always offer the other side.
The more you pump, the more you'll get. So hang in there and keep doing what your doing. Try pumping about 30min after she eats on both sides... you will increase your supply and start saving up. Good Luck!

Birth control pill absolutely effect your milk supply. You should be taking a progesterone only pill until you stop breastfeeding or use other non hormonal options like condoms. I would continue to pump. That is the only change I would make when I have my next baby. I didn't start pumping when I had tons of milk and therefore struggled for 4 months while I exclusively breast fed her. Drink lots of water and pump every 4 hours for at least 20 minutes (you may let down twice). I also tried the herbal supplement Fenugreek which is supposed to increase your milk supply. The lactation consultants at Riverside Hospital told me about it. Don't give up!!!

You may want to check out this website I found about breastfeeding and taking the pill. Theier are two different kinds of pills you can take maybe you are taking the wrong one.http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/breastfeeding/f/bcnursi...

Also if you have larger breasts make sure the size of the breast pump fits the "girls" it can make it harder to get a good let down. You won't get a lot at first like when your milk first came in. It is about supply and demand. Also keep in mind when you go back to work you'll be pumping when she can't eat you should see more milk. I always found it hard to pump when I was around baby. Good luck and good job feeding your baby the best. She is still little so she doesn't need a whole lot to be happy just often.

earthmamaangelbaby.com carries a product called Milkmaid Tea, which uses natural herbs to help you produce more milk. Here is the link: http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/breastfeeding.html

A. with each kid my milk supply was different- it was perfect for them..... my first ate 40 min and slept 20 min and then woke up and ate again..... my breasts were engorged all the time and Inever had trouble with milk supply.

2nd kid about 10 min total 5 on each side, sleep for 3/4 hours = low milk supply- however, my milk was very very well fueled since she ate little it was packed with nutrients and she grew and flurished on that little bit. i found that I needed to pump while feeding..... while she nursed on the right side I was hooked up to the left side and vise verse to get the supply to pick up. ( I had an electric and WOW did that help too great investment) Once I did that Ihad more milk and was able to freeze and get what she needed.
good Luck BTW- what they do not tell y ou about the pill-- you MUST MUST MUST take it everydayat the same exactt ime with not a moment to spare becasue it is such a light dose- if you do not you will be like me with another baby surprising you even though you are nursing and on the pill!
R.

Hi A.,

Are you pumping long enough for the let down to happen? The first few times I tried to pump I wasn't getting much and I would get frustrated and stop. Then I tried pumping for a little longer and more came out after a few minutes. Also to pump more try getting out of bed after she is asleep for a few hours and pump during the night while she is sleeping. The more you pump/feed the more milk you will make. Best of luck!

Is your pill progestin only? Thats what my doctor said was best for nursing mothers. The estrogen decreases the milk supply. Maybe keept pumping and see if that doesn't trigger your milk supply. There are supplements out there, but I don't know if they are compatible with the pill or not. (My friend says beer is good for milk supply, LOL) Even if you can't nurse exclusively, formula can always be a substitute and don't feel guilty about that and don't let people make you feel like any less of a good mother, either.

The pill absolutely will affect your supply! Making milk is a hormonal process, and messing with those hormones does cause changes. If you exclusively breastfeed for 6 months, you will get a natural protection that is as effective as the pill. You need to be nursing day and night, though.

You don't really need to start a bottle until you start working. Right now the important thing is to establish a good milk supply, which means lots of nursing, no artifical nipples. Your body is now figuring out how much to produce. If you have any more questions, pm me, I am a local La Leche League leader.

The Pill can definitely affect milk supply! You need to wait to breastfeed until at least half hour after you finish pumping to let the milk supply build back up. My baby breastfed every hour and a half, so I never could pump more than a couple of ounces at a time. You may be able to pump more while you are at work, so make sure you have a space to do that. It sounds like you could use the advice of a lactation consultant. I always got great help from the ones at the Elizabeth Blackwell Center in Columbus. Your local hospital should also be able to get you in touch with one. Also join a breastfeeding support group where you can get advice from other mothers. Good luck!

Hi A.! Congratulations on your new little girl! Breastfeeding works on an as needed basis, as I'm sure you know. Whatever is removed from the breast, your body will replace. When she nurses, she gets a lot more milk out than you will with a pump. My daughter (a my girlfriend's son) both used to nurse for just several minutes at a time, then they were done. Both of them were gaining weight sufficiently. Your daughter may be getting what she needs and moving on. She may not be a slower, 20 minute per breast nurser.

As for pumping, I have two suggestions. First, put a hot washcloth around your breast to help open those mammary ducts to allow the milk to be expressed a little easier. Get it as hot as you can tolerate, because it will really help with the let down reflex, and you will get much more milk when you pump. Put the washcloth on for a few minutes before you pump, get it hot again and put it on while you pump. You will be surprised how much more milk you get. The second thing I used to do when I was going to work, is when my son woke up at 5:00 a.m., I would pump simultaneously while he nursed on one side, and I got tons of milk! It takes a little bit of practice to get the pump just right and hold the baby, but it's doable and worth it!!

Make sure you are masaging the breast from the back, toward the nipple while you pump, and you will get much more milk.

Believe me, the milk is in there, it just may be hard to get to without the help of her suction. The more you pump or nurse, the more milk you will produce. Don't get discouraged!! It's a process, but it's worth it!

Not sure what you're taking for birth control, but I've been told the best bet for nursing mothers is the "mini pill" or "progesterone-only pill". I know for a fact that Nuva-Ring can decrease milk supply, and I think the regular pill might also. I'd check with your OB/GYN if you think that might be a factor.

Good luck!

Try pumping WHILE you nurse. YOu'll get a better let-down and more milk will be produced. Try it. And don't worry if you don't get a lot. I'm still nursing my 10 month old, and I never felt like I got a lot of milk pumping in the beginning. (I still struggle pumping at work - only get 3oz a time, but she still nurses like a champ! We aren't planning on quitting anytime soon.) So just sit the pump up next to where you nurse and try pumping while she's nursing - she may get more too if you have a stronger let-down. Good luck!

A few things to keep in mind...
1. A pump cannot remove as much milk as your baby can! There will always be milk left in your breast after you pump, so please don't equate the amount that you pump as being the same as the amount that you produce and is available for the baby.
2. If your baby is gaining weight well (which you said she is) and is having about 6-8 wet and 4-6 dirty (average numbers)diapers, then she is getting enough. (What goes in, must come out :))
3. Growth spurts hit at about 2-3 weeks and 6 weeks (then around 3 and 6 months). At this time, the baby may nurse more frequently to accomadate the increased needs (the more she nurses, the more you produce).
4. Her tummy is about the size her curled up fist (about a ping pong ball). So it won't take much to fill her up (one breast is plenty - if she wants both, that is ok too.) That also means she will be hungry again soon (eating about 8-12 times a day.
5. Some babies like to cluster nurse - eating more frequently during certain times of the day - frequently in the evenings.
6. As others have mentioned - birth control can definately decrease supply, but there are types that are safe - just check with your OB.
7. Mom's production of milk will begin to settle in to a "normal" supply at about 1 month - your breasts will feel less full and heavy than they did during the first weeks - but that does not mean your milk is drying up - just that your body has figured out how much is needed for your baby.
8. You are doing the absolute best for your baby by giving her breastmilk! The benefits are for both of you! If she has a sensitivity to reflux, breastmilk is going to make it much easier for her digestive system!!

Good luck - big smiles to you and your little one!

Congrats on your new baby girl! I'm also a new mother and know the frustrations of trying to pump. I'm actually getting ready to return to work and have started pumping and freezing. Anyway, and couple of things that have helped me so far are, first, for the next couple of days after your daughter eats pump until your breasts are empty x 2 mintues. That tells your breasts that there's a demand for milk and you will produce more. Pump both sides a once and you release more prolactin which will produce more milk. Second, I always pump until empty on both sides before I go to bed. I feed my baby at 8:30pm and when I go to bed at 10pm I pump until empty. Third, a warm wash cloth on your breasts before you pump helps with your let down, and try to relax before you pump and not worry about how much milk you're pumping out. Lastly, feed on one side in the morning and pump on the other at the same time.

As far a birth control goes, I work for an OB/GYN so I know a little bit about OCP. While breastfeeding you want to make sure you're taking a progestin only pill, not a pill with estrogen too. Estrogen makes your milk decrese, so make sure that your only on the one with progestin only and it shouldn't effect your milk supply. Good luck and happy pumping.

drink plenty of water, apply warm compress on breasts to help the flow of milk and then try pumping, pump everytime she is finished eating until empty, don't give up, if anything thing get a la leche nurse to help with flowing, you may have the wrong type of pump for you

be sure you are taking a mini pill form of birth control or it will effect your milk supply. be sure you are drinking alot of water.

you are making more than you think. your baby gets more from you than the pump can. since you just started pumping you will only get small amounts. as you being to pump more and more it will increase. your baby is getting enough. they only need a few ounces right now. 10 min is about right. i would say to pump after your feed. empty your breasts in full so that way your "training" them to make more the next time.

don't give up....it takes awhile and you might even be surprised as to how much you can make. my body at one point for a FULL feeding when I would pump when he was taking a bottle got up to 9 oz! however i went through a stand still point and was only getting 4 total when he was older. if you are concerned about your milk supply feed feed feed your baby and pump. also drink alot of water and yo ucan even look into safe things to take like Fenugreek. It is a herbal supplement...safe for you and baby that will up your supply. Although it does make you smell like maple syrup a bit! :)

Hi A., something no one else has addressed is what kind of pump are you using? It is important. You will be able to pump more with a good pump, and have better let down, than with a hand pump. Pumping will only increase your milk supply, the more milk you remove from your breasts, by any means, the more milk your breasts will produce. Check out the Kelly Mom website. It has great information about milk supply, pumping and breast feeding in general. Fenugreek also works well to boost your supply. Another thing is that she may just be "comfort nursing" in the evenings. She may not be eating at all, just using you for comfort. Babies do this, especially after you go back to work. Evening time is often called "the witching hour" because it seems to be the hardest time. You are busy getting dinner, and they are tired and cranky, it makes for a rough evening I know. Try a baby sling so that you can take her with you. I learned to go about my evening chores with my daughter in the sling, sometimes nursing, sometimes not. She really just wanted the comfort of me. You'll get the hang of all this about the time she decides to change things up. Don't worry though, you'll be a pro soon, and then it will all be over and you'll be wishing for your sweet baby back! Enjoy her! She'll only be 3 weeks old for one week, then its gone forever.

The fact that she doesn't eat much could be the reason you suply isn't as much as you thought. Your body will only make as much as your baby needs. The longer your baby or pump stimulates your breast the more milk your breast will produce to compensate.

You can try using only one breast to feed her and the other to pump.

Good luck.

It really could go either way here. Her my 5 m/o only nurses from one side at each feeding, and it only takes her 3 minutes (seriously) until she decides that she is full. When I pump, I usually only get about 2 ounces from each side. But that seems to satisfy her. Everyone tells me I'm crazy and that that can't possibly be enough for her, but it works for us. As long as she seems satisfied after each feeding, then I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep pumping on a regular basis, and your milk supply will increase. I had to have surgery a couple of months ago and started pumping or nursing every hour in order to stock up enough milk for my hospital stay.

As far as her not being satisfied in the evening, I've been there too. When mine was about 3 weeks old, we went through the exact same thing. I eventually found out that she has reflux and was colicky. Keep in mind that babies go through growth spurts all the time. We still hit one about every 3 weeks or so. When they go through these, they do want to cluster feed, especially breastfed babies. Hang in there and just keep feeding her when she seems hungry. If she still seems fussy after you've done everything you can, consider talking to the dr. Just please don't give up on nursing. I know there are a lot of times when it just seems like it would be so much easier. Believe me, I went through all of that. I am so glad I did not listen to all of the people (including my husband) who told me it was all because she was not getting enough to eat, or that my milk was upsetting her. We made it through just fine and she is very healthy and happy to still be nursing. Good Luck