Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply New to listserv, using dom protocol, QUESTIONS

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this listserv, but am on a surrogacy listserv (PPS) that Lenore is also on.

I'm using Lenore's protocol. I was on bcp's from Sept to mid Dec. I'm taking 20mg of dom 4X a day (most days). I started pumping 3-4 times a day 6 days ago.

QUESTION #1:
When I went off the bcp, I waited a week before pumping. I did not have a period. I did take a hpt and it was negative, I am not pregnant. I started pumping after a week, should I have waited for a period? Should I stop pumping and wait for a period?

QUESTION #2:
I'm only getting a trickle of milk right now. At first I was getting a thicker yellower substance, but now it is more white/clear. But it is just a little bit. I've read a bunch of your past posts, and know I have to get serious about pumping (every 2-3 hours) and I will do that. I have started eating oatmeal for breakfast (4 out of last 6 days). I am using a hospital grade medela pump (rented). I start on minimal and after a few minutes I move to max. I am large breasted and it take s bit to properly position the advent plastic tubes, so I put them on and then pump for 14 minutes each time. I do jiggle and massage my breast while pumping. If I get serious about pumping (6 times a day, plus once at night), will it really increase my milk supply, so that I could meet some of the needs of my baby? My son is due in 5.5 weeks, but GC had her own babies at 39 weeks, so I have about 4.5 weeks before his birth.

Thanks for any insights you can share with me.

hugs, Jean <img src="http://www.asklenore.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />

I vote for keeping up the pumping. I am only pumping like 4 times a day and have been only pumping for 2 1/2 weeks or so and I am up to 8 oz a day. The more you pump the more milk you will produce. Also remember your water all day long and try to cut caffinee out. Sounds like you have a great start. Keep up the good work. Congrats on the up and coming birth!

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for your insights, and congrats on your milk supply. I've read some of the prior posts, and you are doing great!

I spoke with the lactation consultant at my local hospital this morning. She also told me to keep pumping and not to worry about getting my period (or not). She told me it would be a big bennefit if I would get my pumping into a clock schedule and then stick to it. Something like 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm... ect. She said my body would produce more milk that way. I guess I'll try it.

I've been caffenine-free (except chocolate) for a number of years now, I've also been taking a tincture called "More Milk Plus" that I brought from the lactation consultant. I'm waiting for my feegreek and blessed thistle capsules to arrive in the mail. The "More Milk Plus" is too expensive to continue long term.

Thanks for the advice on drinking more water, I must admit I can do a better job on that, and after seeing your sucess, I will drink a lot more, sitting here with herbal tea right now.

Thanks again, your post was helpful, as were all your previous posts (history) on the list.

hugs, Jean <img src="http://www.asklenore.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Rebecca. The color of your milk sounds great. The single most important thing you can do to increase your supply is empty your breasts, constantly. I pumped 6 times a day, and my schedule was....
8 or 9 am
11 am
2 pm
5 pm
7 or 8 pm
10 pm
I didn't pump at night, as I didn't have a match in sight, but I recommend you do pump at least once at night. Preferrably between 2 and 5 AM.
You are doing great!

Thanks Dawn,

That helps. I got up last night to do a 3am pumping, and have decided that I just can't do sleeping time pumpings. I have a lot of problems with sleep, and if I start missing sleep now, I'll be exhausted when the baby is born in 4 weeks. So I'm just going to pump every 3 hours during the day (between 7am and 10pm). Hopefully once he shows up, he will help get my milk supply going. My GC is going to pump and ship the milk to me.

Thanks again for your insights, it's greatly appreciated.

Jean