Supply issues after returning to work

[tacocat]

Hey ladies, I started my first week of work last week but I'm only doing two or three days at a time. I pumped every 3 hours but I noticed that after those two days in a row my supply seem to have dropped. Anybody else have these issues? Should I be pumping every 2 hours instead of every 3? Anyone have any experience with this? When I was pumping I was only getting two ounces from each breast every time. Is it possible I'm not responding well to the pump? Or that is just what little one is eating?

Also in terms of pumping I know everyone says to add a pump in the morning but it seems like LO eats back to back in the morning. Should I still try to add a pump (which would mean 3 "times" in 3 hours?) or try a different time of the day? He still not sleeping long stretches at night so waking up and doing it then is not possible.

Also, what brand of fenugreek is everyone using? Would that help? Is it possible to take one a day or is it something I'm going to have to use sporadically based on supply? I already eat a huge bowl of oatmeal every day and I drink about a hundred ounces of water a day.

I'll be starting going to work 3 day this week and I'm concerned about this pattern. Any help is welcome. Thanks in advance.


Eta little one is 14 weeks

[casey]

Normal output is about an ounce an hour. If you are pumping 4oz every 3 hours at work, you're doing great! that should be plenty for most LOs. If you want reassurance on that, check out kellymom' guidelines on bottle size and paced feeding.

It's normal to not respond to the pump as well as to baby. It's also normal to be stressed out the first weeks back and also have lower output for that reason.

But, with 4oz every 3 hours, you really are doing great.

No experience with fenugreek. I'm pretty sure you need to take enough for a therapeutic dose (to smell like maple syrup). I'd doubt one here or there would help.

[melody330]

I know its hard going back work, and second guessing everything in regards to pumping.  However, 4 oz in three hours is on the higher end of average.  You are doing great.  I would not start with fenugreek, but I hate the way it makes me smell like maple syrup! 

Like PP said, kellymom.com has some great resources to help you feel more confident in your output, but 2 oz from each side is fantastic.  Make sure your LO is getting paced bottles, that way they will not tell you they need more milk.  

Good luck!

[Scootaloo]

I agree with PP, it sounds like you're doing fine. A few things that could help:

Continue pumping for 2-3 minutes after the milk stops, sometimes this can trigger a second let-down and you can get another ounce or two.

Look at photos of baby on your phone to stimulate those warm fuzzy feelings.

Make sure you're drinking plenty of water, this can be easy to forget when you're working.

Add another pumping session at night after baby is asleep. You probably won't get much since milk production peaks in the morning, but it could be enough to top off a bottle and to coach your body into producing more.

[tacocat]

Thanks ladies. I didn't even stop to think about the 1 oz per hour "rule", so getting that much does make sense now.

My husband is the one watching lo, and he's been diligent about timing his feeds, but now that you mention it, the few days after I worked LO was extra fussy at the breast. He could be adjusting to getting both.

I'll try the extra nighttime pump, that could help with LOs extra morning feed when I have to leave earlier.

Thanks again!

[theresat858]

I agree with PP. I only ever get 4 ounces total per session. My supply is fine. Baby is gaining fine.
Is baby being overfed if you are not able to keep up by pumping that much?

[fish8412]

You are doing great! Dry pumping stimulates production. Keep pumping 4-5 minutes to see if you get another letdown. If you don't, try not to stress because you still told your boobs to keep making milk. Sometimes I get another letdown 1-2 minutes after I finish dry pumping.

[tacocat]

theresat858 I fed lo with a bottle today because I got home late, had to pump and he was hungry right afterwards of course... I took it very slow and burped, paced etc. I started with 3 oz. He took it all in about 25 minutes. He was still hungry after he got burps out and took another 1.5 ounces. He was a happy camper afterward. This was at 2:00 pm. I suppose if he is used to eating off both sides then he takes that much from breast or bottle and my output should be fine. LO seems to take bigger feeds but less frequently lately. Maybe he's adjusting as he gets older...

[tacocat]

Thanks to all of you ladies for the input! All the knowledge comes in handy

[melody330]

Feb 10, 2015 23:18:44 GMT -5 tacocat said:

theresat858 I fed lo with a bottle today because I got home late, had to pump and he was hungry right afterwards of course... I took it very slow and burped, paced etc. I started with 3 oz. He took it all in about 25 minutes. He was still hungry after he got burps out and took another 1.5 ounces. He was a happy camper afterward. This was at 2:00 pm. I suppose if he is used to eating off both sides then he takes that much from breast or bottle and my output should be fine. LO seems to take bigger feeds but less frequently lately. Maybe he's adjusting as he gets older...

Just because you had just pumped doesn't mean you can't nurse. I mean, it's not ideal, but if it's once in a blue moon there's no problem. You are never "empty" or "out of milk".

Also, my DS never ever took more than 4 oz from a bottle. A few times he nursed right after a bottle when I got home, but I thought nothing of it! Keep it up, you are doing great!

[ashanne88]

It sounds like you're doing great! PPs all had good advice. I concur with adding in a night time pump between LO's bedtime and your bedtime.

I take fenugreek sporatically as a booster when I notice a dip. I buy nature's way (from Amazon or Whole Foods). I drink mother's milk tea every day as well to help with supply.

[Sparkly]

PPs have all covered good advice. 4 oz. every 3 hours is a normal output.

I would recommend breast compressions at the end of pump sessions, as your milk flow slows down, if you are not already doing them, and pumping for at least 5 minutes after the last drops of milk, if you have time. This should trigger a small increase in supply over time, because you are "demanding" more milk at each "feeding."

If you do not notice an increase, or are coming up "short" of what your LO eats while you are separated (and you know he is not being overfed), try one of two things: 1) Add an additional pump session each day, whether by switching to every 2 hours at work, or doing it in the morning/night, whenever you have time. 2) You can try power pumping for 3 days in a row (you will have to do this on a day off or after LO is in bed). Do 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off for an hour.

[Deleted]

PPs gave great advice-it sounds like you're doing well! It's normal to feel panicky about pumping enough, especially when you are dealing with all of the emotions of just starting back to work. I just wanted to add that as you get back into the swing of things at work, make sure you're getting plenty to eat and drink.
I had to bring a gallon jug of water as a visual because otherwise I'd forget to refill my water bottle. I pumped best when I had a sizable mid-morning smack as well. I would often have a PB&J when my kids went out for morning recess (I'm a teacher). I don't normally view an entire sandwich as a snack, but I totally did while BFing!
Best of luck to you!

[tacocat]

Thanks ladies!!! These are all awesome tips!

[Deleted]

Feb 10, 2015 23:18:44 GMT -5 tacocat said:

theresat858 I fed lo with a bottle today because I got home late, had to pump and he was hungry right afterwards of course... I took it very slow and burped, paced etc. I started with 3 oz. He took it all in about 25 minutes. He was still hungry after he got burps out and took another 1.5 ounces. He was a happy camper afterward. This was at 2:00 pm. I suppose if he is used to eating off both sides then he takes that much from breast or bottle and my output should be fine. LO seems to take bigger feeds but less frequently lately. Maybe he's adjusting as he gets older...

It is also very very likely that the reason why baby was acting still hungry after YOU gave the 3 oz bottle is that baby wanted to nurse because YOU were there.  Remember nursing is reconnecting with mom at the end of the day apart and it is very likely that baby will always want to nurse if they can unless they are totally stuffed--and some even if stuffed would still want to nurse if they could. Mine would do that and then spew excess milk.

If you just pumped and baby wants to nurse, nurse the baby.  they may fuss a bit and you may need to switch them back and forth a couple times, but they'll get the milk they need.  Your breasts are not storage facilities for milk, they are milk making factories.  the first milk is made and stored for initial let down but the rest is made and let down as baby nurses over and over til they are full.  Also if you were running short, having baby nurse on an "empty" breast signals a higher supply better than more pumping would do.