Seeking advice for pumping/increasing supply
Seeking advice for pumping/increasing supply
Realistically, I don't think with 2 little kids demanding so much of my time that I can add any more pumping sessions. But I am hoping to increase my output to 5-6 oz. or more each time. I am drinking lots of water and taking a supplement called Lactation Blend from Vitanica 2x/day. It contains fenugreek and other herbs. I've read some posts and see that taking alfalfa can be beneficial, but how much? Also, this supplement has 25mg fenugreek per pill - should I be taking more?
My recipient has given me an electric dual pump. (Medela brand. Neither she nor I have the financial resources to purchase or rent another pump.) I've just been pumping till the milk seems to stop flowing. Should I go longer? Also, is it harder on the breasts than nursing? Is there any special care I should be taking?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom offered!
Sarah M.
sarahdn- Posts : 1
Join date : 2010-04-12
Re: Seeking advice for pumping/increasing supply
skmbuket- Posts : 9
Join date : 2010-01-08
Re: Seeking advice for pumping/increasing supply
Pumping times varies by person. I have a slower flow, so I can easily go 30-35 minutes in order to have what I consider to be a full pumping session.
If you're trying to increase your supply, try to add a few extra minutes on your session (if you can). Try to get a second letdown - when I went back to work that second letdown was important so I would feel comfortable.
Some moms express only; so I don't know if it's harder on the breasts (and they exclusively pumped for months). If you haven't already, get some lanolin. Medela makes some and so does Lanishoh. I prefer the Medela, but YMMV. It can help with cracked/chapped skin, sore nipples - basically it just helps you feel better.
I've been pumping since DD was 8 weeks (that's when I went back to work) and she's almost 9 months. We nurse on weekends/nights but I pump more often than I nurse.
I hope this helps! Best of luck to you!!
Chimichanga- Posts : 8
Join date : 2010-01-16
Age : 44
Location : Southeast Wisconsin
Re: Seeking advice for pumping/increasing supply
I also agree on eating oat meal. I also eat (sprinkle) brewer's yeast on my meals, yogurt etc. and flax seed meal. Brewer's yeast is good source of vitamin B and protein, and flax seed meal is good source of omega 3 fatty acid, I think. Oatmeal, brewer's yeast, and flax seed meal are keeping my supply pretty strong Try the lactation cookies! (http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Lactation-Cookies-by-Noel-Trujillo-192346) I also drink plenty of water, like 1.5 gallon a day (!), too (it may be too much for some people, but I'm so used to be drinking water all the time from my active duty military time, lol).
watawata- Posts : 25
Join date : 2010-01-04
Re: Seeking advice for pumping/increasing supply
Jaz- Posts : 35
Join date : 2010-01-14
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