Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Do I have enough MM for newborn baby

Two things;
Am i pumping too long? and I get different amounts at each pumping session.

I was on the regular protocol for 5 months, i have been pumping for three weeks now, three weeks to go before baby arrives, unless she come early. I take domperidone 6 times a day 2 tablets each time. I'm also taking 3 tables each of blessed thistle and fenugreek.

I pump; 9am;12.00noon; 3pm; 6pm; 9pm and 3 am at night.

The most i get per session is 1oz and that's once or twice at the 12.00 noon session and the 3pm session, after that I get about half oz. Why is that?

Last week i got about 12 oz total. the week beofre 5 oz total, so it keeps going up.
I started to pump longer, I usd to pump 15 minutes the first week and went up the next. I'm up to 30 minutes each session on medium setting with the Limerick PJ's pump. It's a fabulous and comfortable pump, as pumps go!

Some sessions when the milk is flowing i pump an extra 10 minutes, total 40 minutes.

Questions;
If baby arrives in a few weeks will i have enough milk for her? If it keeps doubling the way it has so far.

Am i pumping too long?
The milk comes slowly, no spray yet!

Should i add another night time pump two weeks before baby arrives?

thanks ladies, the support here is great,

Marica.

Is that 3 tablets each of fenugreek and blessed thistle total in a day, or 3 tablets each time you take them... how many times in a day? I thought the protocol was 3 tablets each, 3 times a day... or do I have that wrong???

The fenugreek should be 3 tablets, 3 times a day. Less and you don't have enough in your system.

I also am not sure about taking the domperidone 2 tablets, 6 times a day. It might be better to have a higher concentration less times a day. So take 3 tablets 4 times a day. (I am not sure on this and if it was recommended by Lenore or Dr. Newman, then stick with what they say). I take 30 mg 4 times a day and it has worked pretty well for me.

It is normal to pump more at certain sessions. For most people the morning sessions are the biggest producers.

I would try to get up to 8 pumping sessions in the next week or so. The newborn breastfed baby needs to eat 8 times a day (or more sometimes). Every 2-3 hours during the day and once or twice at night.

I don't know if I would pump quite that long, but that is up to you. I normally pumped 20 minutes (with the PJ Limerick too). If you are still getting milk after 20 minutes then keep pumping.

It sounds like you are doing great. If you keep increasing your supply, you very well may have all she needs. A newborn doesn't need too much. If she is fed 8+ times a day, she'll only take 1-2 oz at each session in the first days.

Jennifer

I take 3 tablets each of fenugreek and 3 tablets each of blessed thistle 3 times a day with meals.

I'll start taking the dom 3 tablets 4 times a day, taking 2 6 times a day was my own silly idea.

I've also noticed that the massage during and in-between pumping makes a difference in getting the milk out.

I'll pump more often, every 2-2.5 hours and pump for 20 -25 mins.
Total of 8 pumps per day.

thanks Jen, your very helpful.

Marica.

Marcia, Jen gave you good advice. I was going to suggest the same things. I think you are on the right track now and it sounds like you may well produce enough for your newborn.