Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Natural Methods to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply First few days of pumping

What/how much should I expect from my first day or two of pumping? I started this morning.

I got drops the first day. But I don't know if that is typical. By day 3 I was getting about a teaspoon from each breast, but the baby was already home with us.
Jennifer

I'm getting clear drops, but nothing is collecting. I'm guessing this is normal.

I would guess it's normal.
Jennifer

Thanks- This thread has been helpful to me today. This is my first week pumping, and it is slow going, but I think that it is "working". I got about a teaspoon (total) from each breast the first day, less the second, third, and forth day, and now today, on the 5th day, I'm getting about 1/2 teaspoon from each breast at each pumping session, which is a big improvement.

I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and once during the night, for a total of about 7-9 sessions per day.

I am on accelerated protocol because I have uterine fibroids that could grow with lots of estrogen, so wanted to minimize the time that I was on the bcp. I am on 90 mg of dom. along with fenugreek and blessed thistle, plus some Yogi Tea "Nursing Support" on the side.

Does this sound normal to you guys? Any tips? I'd love to hear from some of you who have followed the accelerated protocol.

Thanks-Jenny M.

Hi Jenny

Our newborn daughter arrived without any prior notice, and on top of that, our grandson was born premature and I was traveling to the US ( we live in Bolivia) the day that our DD arrived. I didn't start the accelerated protocol till day 12 and only stayed on the BCP for 30 days. In the meanwhile I used the SNS for stimulation and DD latched on great. I started pumping on day 31 and got some drops out. I have never been so excited. I slowly built up but it was hard to measure with DD nursing. I think about 3 weeks into it I had my first spray. : )

By the time DD was 3 months old I was only supplementing at night, and using the lact aid ( MUCH better choice) in frequently. I was able to achieve 95% of my DD needs and nursed until she was 14 months.

Sounds like you're doing great. It's worth the effort. I was concerned that I wouldn't have as good as results because I was on the accelerated but it worked out fine.

hope this encourages you.
btw I was 46 when I started this. My last bio child was born 18 years prior.

Thank you so much, Linda. I breastfed 3 bio. children, but like you, that was several years ago. They are now 19, 15, and 13 years old.

I appreciate the encouragement. At 41, I am also an older mom this time around. It's so good to hear from other seasoned moms who have decided to "start over" with a newborn. Not everyone understands why someone who is closer to "granny" age would do this, but I am so looking forward to being able to really relax and enjoy my last time as a mom.

I had a good day, and it does seem to be working, slowly but surely. I'm so glad to know that it is possible to build up a good supply on the accelerated protocol. I have a lot of time, since we are actually still working on our home study and don't have all of our paperwork in yet. However, we are expected to get a match and placement quickly with this program, probably sometime in the fall. I don't mind pumping, and prefer getting a head start in order to store some milk in my deep freeze to put in the lact aid later instead of formula.

Thanks again-Jenny M.

Jenny,

We do get some 'looks' and comments about starting over at our age, but we feel that God gave us our daughter and since he knew what age we'd be, we're good to go!

freezing the BM is a good idea. you might not even need it though, since you're already pumping and getting a jump start. Pumping never produced very much for me, but DD seemed to get plenty. : )
One gal wrote that pumps only pump your milk, but babies milk you! Sound weird but it's true.

Hope your homestudy and paper work goes well. We just finished DD adoption, it took almost 2 years. She was worth it

I've just started pumping and I'm getting a brown discharge from 1 breast, but nothing from the other (2 days). I've breastfed 3 bio children who are 12, 10 & 9 now, so it's been a long time since I did this. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?