It seems every week my breast-milk productions changes dramatically. One day it will be more than enough, I'm able to fill 5 ounces in 10 minutes of pumping and then a couple days later I can hardly produce 1 ounce in 20 minutes. I thought perhaps my hydration had something to do with it and I've been trying to keep very hydrated. I'm nursing and pumping as much as possible. Please help!
Mothers Milk tea!! Worked wonders for me and I found it at all health food stores as well as most Publix stores!!
Please Please PLEASE do not confuse what you can pump with what your actual production is. Suckling from your child is like a super duper vacuum, a breast pump is like the cheapest and least efficient of the vacuums offered. It is unable to get the milk out like a suckling baby can.
I'd nurse on one side and pump on the other, at the same time. This may help because your body is releasing the prolactin and oxytocin while baby suckles and will relax you enough to have the other breast relax and let down easier.
The first 3 months are the most productive for pumping and storing... by the 5th or 6th month, the milk supply stabilizes and can only be increased efficiently by your child's suckling. Cluster feeding and such will happen sporadically until 2 years old. Baby having a feeding frenzy every 45 minutes does not mean your production is low, it is how your body will up the production - since it is a supply and demand system, run by your child.
Do not worry, your body knows what it is doing - and so does your infant!! Be confident in yourself and your amazing body, it's what kept the human species going strong!
Your body will adjust naturally to how much your son needs by how much he drinks. He may already be hitting the "6-week growth spurt," so he's probably eating A LOT and will do so for a couple of weeks. I have had lots of problems in the past (I have 3 children that I breastfed) with an oversupply of milk, so I wouldn't recommend pumping too much unless you're pumping in place of a feeding. It's so miserable when you have too much milk, because your baby won't eat!
Just feed him when he wants to eat, and your body will make the right amount of milk!
Hydration is key to the quantity of breastmilk. Since this does not seem to be the problem, there is a good chance that you are just under a lot of stress (with your newborn and the changes/responsibities associated with that). You may also be adding stress to yourself by "stressing" over the amount of milk. If this is the case, RELAX!!!
If stress does not seem to be a major factor, then try not to TOTALLY empty your breast---leave a certain amount. This will, in some cases, actually increase milk production and make it more consistent.
That doesn't sound good. It may just be because your milk is still regulating. If you don't schedule your feedings, it may help to do so because then your breasts know when to fill up. I'm doing 2 1/2 to 3 hours between each feeding and so about 2 1/2 after I feed her I can feel my milk come in. It also helps me remember that I need to feed her soon. But if it persists to be so irregular after 7 weeks, I would definatly call a lactation specialist.
I had some days when I felt overly full... take advantage of them and pump. On days when you can't... just make sure you feed baby enough. Your pediatrician will tell you if he isn't getting enough due to his weight gain (or lack thereof)... chances are everything is fine. Pumping is not always a clear indicator of how much milk you are producing. Nothing is as efficient as a nursing baby in getting your milk out!
Good luck... and relax... it helps your milk production.
T.
A.,
If breastfeeding is important to you, please, please get yourself to a support meeting (La Leche or other). I had supply issues with my youngest and ended up switching to formula out of frustration, I tried Fenugreek and mother's milk, made sure I was hydrated, etc. In retrospect, I realized that I should have gotten my happy butt to La Leche, no matter how far the drive was. Only a lactation consultant can take your case individually and find a solution that works for you. Good Luck.
there's a 'milk calculator' where you can figure out how many ounces of expresed milk your baby should be getting
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html#calculator
Call La leche league! Get some support!
The La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline - US began on June 1, 2007. Everyone in the U.S.A. has access to toll free breastfeeding help 24 hours a day. Just call 1-877-4-LALECHE (1-877-452-5324).
If you're pumping bcse you're going back to work:
groups to join:
PumpMoms http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PumpMoms/
breastfeeding and working mothers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bfworkingmoms/
Is your eating consistent? YOu have to eat well, and this is not the time to try ot lose weight!
Weston Price can give you good suggestions,
best,k
