Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Started pumping!

Hi ladies...

So I'm 24 hrs into the pumping (pumped twice last evening and then every two hours so far today) and I produced 7.5ml! I think that is pretty decent, but the weird thing is that I got MOST of that volume in the first pumping session yesterday and then just big drops since then. I'm two weeks behind in pumping since I opted to wait until we got home from Disney, so I guess I'm just anxious to see an increase each time I pump (which I know is unrealistic!). I haven't even started the oatmeal, herbs, or crying baby pictures yet (starting all that tomorrow) but I'm curious when you more experienced ladies started to notice an increase in the volume. Baby is due in 34 days!!

Thanks,
Daisy

With my first time it was a stork drop and baby was with us, so I did see increases almost every time. The second time I got only drops for 5 days until I started looking at the crying baby pics. Then I increased each day.

Jennifer

Thanks, Jennifer. Still just a few small drops today. How long should I give it before I increase the Dom? And when you do increase the Dom,, do you take 30mg 4 times per day, or do you just add more doses of 20mg throughout the day?

Thanks,
Daisy

Hi Daisy - It's normal for it to take a little time for you to begin seeing an increase in the amount of milk. Your milk doesn't "come in" like it would after a delivery. Instead it builds slowly. I would wait a couple of weeks before you increase the dom. The baby will be better at extracting the milk than the pump is. When people do increase the dom they do 30mg 4 times a day. Good luck!

I didn't really think about increasing to 30 mg 4 times a day until the baby was here and I needed to keep up with her needs. I would wait a little before doing it.

Jennifer

Thanks ladies!

A couple more questions for you...

1. Did you all have a period after you stopped the Provera/BC? How long after you stopped?

2. How long should I give it before I know whether or not I will need the lact-aid thing? I'm 5 days into pumping and still just getting drops. I think I've accumulated maybe 15ml total so far. I haven't added the blessed thistle yet, though... waiting for it to come in the mail.

3. Did you use that pumping bra that holds the cones in place? I'm beginning to think it would be worth it if it actually works.

Thanks again for your help and wisdom!

Daisy

Hi Daisy: Glad to hear you're getting some milk. I only pumped for a week before going back onto the protocol (the adoption did not proceed) but in that time I did not get a period and was told not necessarily to expect it since my prolactin levels would likely be high enough to suppress it. I kind of felt like I would get it (typical pms symptoms) for a few days but then things leveled out.

I found a pumping bra invaluable as I was doing lots of hands-on pumping (see for more info: http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html) but I just made my own by cutting holes into a sports-type bra. It was not quite as convenient as one of the ones you can buy with a zipper up the front but it was very inexpensive and did the job well.

All the best! Carrie

I did have a period after I stopped the bcp's. I think it came after 2-3 days and was a normal period. That was my last one until I stopped taking the domperidone (at 18 months the first time and 20 months the second time).

If you are not making at least a few ounces a day by a week before, I would say you will probably need a lactaid or something to supplement.

I didn't have a pumping bra. I made a pump holder using two hair ties twisted together in a figure 8 to hold my pump in place. It hooked on to the nursing bra hook.

Jennifer

Carrie... Brilliant! I cut holes in an old cotton bra that I don't wear anymore and now I have a perfect pumping bra. Thanks for the recommendation! Of course I have to wear two bras since my nipples stick out the holes, but its worth it when pumping every 2hours!

Jennifer... Thanks for answering my questions. This pumping is getting a little frustrating... 5 days into pumping and I'm probably only getting about 3ml a day. So in five days, I have about a half ounce. I'm drinking a ton, pumping every 2-3 hours, watching crying babies on YouTube, eating oatmeal, and taking Dom and fenugreek. Shouldn't I be seeing more at this point or am I just being ultra impatient?!?

Thanks again,
Daisy