Feeling discouraged

[serejane]

So I've been pumping for my twins since they were born 7 weeks early in nov. We tried BFing but it was just not working. I still wanted to provide them with bm so I started EPing. For maybe 2 or 3 days of their lives have I pumped enough that I didn't need to supplement with formula.
I had been easily hitting 30 oz or more a day (about 60% of what they need) in 8-9 pumps for a while but recently I'm lucky if I get 25 oz in the same # of pumps.
I feel like I spend my whole day planning around pumping. Making sure they nap so I can pump, asking DH to watch them as soon as he gets home so I can pump. Waiting to go walking so I can pump etc.
Tonight was really hard. I only pumped an oz and a half in a 16 min session so I went ahead and gave the girls formula only at 8 pm. Well they stayed up fussing and refusing to sleep until they needed to eat again so I had to give full formula bottles again! So frustrating and discouraging. I know they say don't quit on a rough day, how do I bounce back from a rough week or two??

[Widget123]

I don't know what your pumping schedule looks like, but what worked best for me is doing more pumps earlier in the day because prolactin levels are higher at night. I would get more milk out of my 4am and 7am pumps that I would the rest of the day combined (I didn't wake up earlier in the night). Also consistency with your schedule and timing is key.

[grumpycat88]

Along with what others have said, stress can impact your output too! It's easier said than done, but try to relax and distract yourself from how much is in the bottles while you are pumping. I tend to hang out here or watch TV while pumping. I've also been drinking coconut water every day and it may have helped increase at least my early AM sessions. You are doing a great job and you are feeding your babies, regardless of how it's happening, they are fed and happy!

[serejane]

I probably do need to eat more. It's hard to find time with two babies needing me! Thanks for the kind words. Funny thing was that today was a much better day pumping. I even got a couple feedings where I was able to pump and feed them both at the same time so that was exciting!

[birch113]

You have PM!

[serejane]

Thanks birch, I'll check it better day today because my simple wishes hands free bra came and it's made pumping so much easier!

[aurora1181]

I know this post is somewhat "old" but I want you to know that I'm in the same boat! My twins came at 32 weeks and I've been pumping for them ever since. I make about 35 to 40 ounces on a good day, but not every day is a good day, and they eat close to 60oz. Scheduling pumping time is hard! I try to do it when they're asleep or DH is home to watch them, but it's tough. Sometimes I just sit on the floor, with both babies in bouncy seats, feeding both and pumping at the same time. I just had to let it go and accept that they're going to get formula since I can't keep up. It's actually been very freeing to just go ahead and have some formula bottles ready made, because then I'm not as stressed about how much I'm pumping. Hang in there.

[bennieangel]

serejane, how is it going now? Any better?

What type of pump are you using? If you're using a Medela - have you changed the white membranes recently? That can usually help without put too - in addition to what others have suggested.

Just remember as long as your babies are being fed, you're not doing anything wrong! EP is hard work, and at the end of the day you can't control all the variables so for me it helped to remember this & just go day by day.

[bennieangel]

serejane, how is it going now? Any better?

What type of pump are you using? If you're using a Medela - have you changed the white membranes recently? That can usually help without put too - in addition to what others have suggested.

Just remember as long as your babies are being fed, you're not doing anything wrong! EP is hard work, and at the end of the day you can't control all the variables so for me it helped to remember this & just go day by day.

[serejane]

It's going quite well now, my supply has increased by about 5 oz/day and seems to be regulating so that's good!
I use a pisa though I might look into renting a symphony like I used in the nicu.
I'm hoping to be able to drop a couple pumps before I go back to work in a month without too much decrease in output.

[Widget123]

Feb 18, 2015 4:03:05 GMT -5 serejane said:

It's going quite well now, my supply has increased by about 5 oz/day and seems to be regulating so that's good!
I use a pisa though I might look into renting a symphony like I used in the nicu.
I'm hoping to be able to drop a couple pumps before I go back to work in a month without too much decrease in output.

Be careful when you go back to work.  If you drop too many pumps at once your supply may completely tank.  Try to gradually ease yourself into something manageable.