As far as a supply dip, it's probably from your cold and/or dehydration (due to the cold.) Ibuprofen shouldn't cause supply issues; the things to avoid are decongestants. Like PPs said, your supply should recover. Drink lots of fluids and add in an extra session if you can.
Post by lauraborealis on Jan 27, 2015 8:53:07 GMT -5
I agree with all the PPs. Your supply should return when you are recovered, in the meantime drinking enough water is super important. I would definitely keep renting the Symphony, if I knew then what I know now, I would have started renting one at the beginning and not wasted money on the Medela PISA. GL - I hope you feel better soon and that your supply recovers quickly!
What PP's have said - I am a huge fan of my hands-free bra. I used a sports bra with holes in it for a while but it's MUCH easier to manage zipping the Simple Wishes one around me at work vs actually changing or wearing two bras or whatever I'd have to do otherwise. I can't imagine the hair tie thing working for me to keep things in place but the bra does a great job. I also use the Pumpin Pals flanges which seem to fit my breasts better than the Medela or Hygeia flanges I've used. I feel like I'm always mentioning these stupid flanges; they should pay me to advertise for them. I think having my hands free to mess around on my phone or even to do work helps me get more milk because then I'm not stressing over the process of pumping, I'm just letting it happen.
There's a chance that if you stop pumping during the day altogether your supply will keep decreasing, but some moms can supplement and BF at the level you're considering. You just have to be OK knowing that you might be moving completely to formula before you do it, I think, so that it's not a stressful thing if your supply does decrease. I agree with weeklyplanner that some BM is better than none, and that no BM is fine, too. I could personally be a poster child for turning out fine with formula. The social pressure of FF vs BF is stupid.
Also, why do you have to hide in the corner in the dark? Is it because you don't have a better place to pump? Do you feel sort of exposed when you're pumping? I know my output struggles if I'm worried someone is going to come into my office when I'm pumping (my door doesn't lock). If it's a privacy issue, have you thought about using a nursing cover while you pump? I always have a thin muslin blanket with me that I use to cover everything up, and that makes me more comfortable while I'm pumping.
I think you should stick with the Symphony if the rental isn't an issue.
You're doing a great job, mama! I hope you can figure out what works best for all of you and don't worry about all the what ifs.
First of all thank you so much to everyone who has responded to this thread - I appreciate it more than I can say!!
inaya I hide in the corner because while I have my own office, it doesn't have a door and one of the walls/doors is open on top and the back wall is mirrored. I feel very exposed unless I'm hiding in the corner and I feel like I have to do that anyway because I pull my shirt up to position the breast shields and when I'm wearing my nursing cover, I can't see what I'm doing to get them positioned correctly! This will certainly be less of an issue if I get the hands free bra!
Thanks very much for the rest of your supportive comment.
I have one more question for everyone - I'm tagging some so y'all will come back - sjshark, shevacc, lauraborealis, rbl, elbug, merry. yogini kiki I *was* doing great with the Symphony pump and getting 4-5 ounces as opposed to just 3 with my other pump. However, today is day 14 of me being under the weather. Right now it's the remnants of a sticky chest cough/stuffed up nose/head congestion but I also was running a fever for many days - at least 1-2 ibuprofen every day to get through it. At first it wasn't affecting my milk supply, but now on Friday and today I barely got 3 oz each time I pumped with my Symphony. Is this the illness/lack of sleep/taking ibuprofen catching up with me? I took no other cold meds. I also haven't been drinking enough water but I've kept up with my oatmeal and brewer's yeast. I have to decide this week if I'm renting the pump for another month and I'm really sad I'm back down to only 3 oz. He needs at least 4 for his bottles and would probably happily drink 5 oz if I could make it.
I agree, your supply will fix itself. Water intake plays a huge part in how much milk I produce. I would definitely suggest trying to increase your water intake and keep on top of it as much as you can.
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