Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply What should I expect.... need advice

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday at work while I was manually expressing, I got sprays from both breasts. I was estatic. However, when I pump at home barely any milk comes out. I am very frustrated. I have tried compressions and different settings. When I manually express, I am able to get a steady stream of milk. I am trying to increase my supply so I know that I have to completely drain the breasts. I have pumping for 10 minutes and then hand expressing. Any advice on how to make the pumping more effective?

Clauidia.. I don't think your pumping long enough. I pumped or 10 minutes massaged.. bent over and jiggled and pumped for 10 more minutes. What kind of pump are you using?

I agree 10 minutes is not enough. I did what Nona describes.

Hello. I have a couple more questions. What is a full supply? Right now I am getting about a half ounce at each pumping. I realize that isn't a lot but what would a full supply be at each pumping? Also, since I am not pumping a lot at each sitting, what is the safest way to store the milk? I would like to freeze it and what I have been doing is adding it to a bottle in the refrigerator. How long before I need to freeze it? Am I doing this right? Thank you for your help.

Claudia,
First of all it sounds like you are doing great. Remember that a baby is much better than a pump.

A full supply for a newborn is not that much because they don't drink much for the first few days. My DD drank less than 1-2 oz 8 times a day in those first weeks. After a couple of weeks the needs increase. kellymom.com is a great bfing website and they say that a bfed baby needs about 24 oz a day on average. So if you are feeding 8 times a day (the minimum you should feed a bfing newborn), they will need about 3 oz per feed. If you are feeding more often (12 times a day or so) then you would need less - maybe 2 oz per feed. I weighed my daughter before and after feeds and found she was taking a little less than 24 oz in a day, but she was a small baby to begin with. I think my bio son took more on average than that, but he was a big baby.

You can save it in the fridge until you get enough to freeze. I would start by freezing it in 2 oz increments. The lansinoh freezer bags are great and lay them flat when freezing, they are much easier to store.

Good luck,
Jennifer

I wanted to thank everyone again for their advice. I am now pumping between 5 and 6 oz a day. I added the blessed thistle to my fenugreek and waiting to see what difference that will bring. There were definitely some days that I was so tired and frustrated but I feel like all my hard work as paid off and I hope to continue to increase my supply. Thanks again to everyone. I will keep you updated.

Wow! Sounds like your doing fantastic! Keep up the good work. Do keep us updated on how your pumping is going