Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Lenore: Still No Milk Supply

I did the menopause protocol for nearly 5 months, and started pumping on July 22nd (nearly 3 weeks) while continuing Domp (8 per day), multivitamin, tons of oatmeal, water, and pumping about 6 times per day (including one overnight). I'm doing some breast compression while pumping. I pump for 7 min, massage, tickle, and shake, pump for 7 min, then manual expression. I'm still only getting drops at each pumping session, not measurable and not enough to save. I'm increasing my pumping to 7 sessions today and 8 starting tomorrow to see if that helps.

Should I start the herbs or wait until I have more milk? I was hoping that I wouldn't need the herbs with my good diet and Domp. I am very sensitive to odors, and don't want to smell like syrup. Are the herbs usually necessary to bring in a supply?

Local LLL leader suggested that I may need baby at breast before supply kicks in. Baby is due on August 26th, and I don't have anything saved up for him yet. I have a lact-aid packed in baby's suitcase already just in case.

Any suggestions or thoughts would very appreciated! Thanks in advance,

I personally think the herbs are very important. The one that makes you smell like syrup is the fenugreek. So maybe leave that one out and do the others. A baby at the breast will help and you are wise to have the lact-aid ready. Don't worry if you haven't saved up any milk for him yet. Have you contacted Nona about donor milk?

Hi TLC,

The smell is like body odor, you can't smell it yourself and even so, it's not really noticable.

Try pumping for 20 - 30 minutes without a break. That helps sometimes. And email me at lengold@sprynet.com for some more tips.

Best,

Lenore and Laurie,
Thanks for the tips! I'll increase the time of my pumping sessions and go straight through for 20-30 min without the breaks for massage while I continue breast compression during pumping. And, I'll contact Nona to have some small amount of donor milk on-hand to supplement baby while my supply increases. I've emailed Lenore for more tips.

Thanks again!

Update - I increased pumping to 20-30 min per session, dropped multivitamin (in case it was too much B6), added herbs fenugreek and blessed thistle. Two days later (Sunday) i got my first measurable amount - 1/2 oz. And then nothing since then! My nipples are so sore that I want to scream. I'm not using anything above medium setting, and i'm using lanolin on my nipples each time. I have an appt. with a local LC tomorrow to assess pump equipment and pumping routine.

Very frustrating. I really want to make milk for this baby, no matter what it takes. I've emailed Nona about donor milk, and I'm waiting to hear back from her. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

Hi TLC,

It's very unusual to start to make milk and then shut down. Sounds like you're having a let down issue due to pain. Sore nipples is an indication that either the suction is too high or you need the bigger size flanges. Medela makes a larger one www.medela.com Remind me, which pump are you using?

Warmest regards,

Lenore,
Thanks for the response. I have an appointment with a certified lactation consultant today to check pump, settings, and size of shields. I'm using the Medela PIS Advanced. I'll let you all know what she says.

Thanks again!

Lenore,
I don't know how to turn down the suction on my PIS. I know that there is a little white turn dial with an arrow on it near where the on/off switch is...but it just keeps turning to the left or to the right without clicking or making any changes to suction that I can tell. A friend of mine also has a PIS and hers does the same thing so I thought that there was nothing wrong with mine. However, my nipples are very sore and tender and bruised feeling (but not cracked b/c I use the olive oil) and I wish that I could turn the suction down but I have it on MIN (supposedly). Any advice?
Thanks,
Kalli

Hi Kalli,

From what I understand the dial needs to be turned while the pump is on. It doesn't click, but the suction does change. It's best to ask your LC to look over your pump to make sure it's operating correctly.

Best, Lenore

The LC measured my nipples and watched me pump. She switched me to much larger breast shields (Extra Large) and I tried a Medela Classic pump. It is much smoother and feels better. And, I was able to get drops of milk on the lowest suction after only a minute. I'm now renting it to use for the next week or two to see if it helps. I've been using it since Thursday. I'm consistently getting drops, but nothing measurable like last weekend. I'm also using moist heat, then massage, before I pump each time. We leave Monday for our adoption trip (potential b/mom due Aug 26th)! I'll try to post when possible to let you know what is happening. Thanks again!