Pumping and supply

I've been pumping for 3 months, and bfing as much as I can. DD didn't successfully bf till 7 weeks, so I pumped early. I produced 1/2 ounce total for the first week, and since then I now get 2 ounces total, except for the morning when I get 3.5-4 total. How can I increase my supply? I have to supplement with formula because I just cant seem to pump enough! It is so frustrating! DD will be 3 months tomorrow, and I plan to pump for at least 6 months, but at that point I could pump all day and fill one bottle for her!

Any one else increase their supply? Right now I pump every 3 hours.

Re: Pumping and supply

-lots and lots and lots of water...
-I took fenugreek (3 pills 3 times a day) that worked for me (got at GNC)
-what pump are you using..that makes a diff too...is it hospital grade..and even with those...I found that I had to massage/do breast compressions the whole 20 min session..this would almost double my supply when I did this as opposed to letting the pump do all the work.
-I also pumped until I got a second letdown..it would come between 20-22 min after I began pumpng this would often give me a whole other oz!
-time of day also matters too...first in the morning and late at night I always got my best pump amts.
-Also remember they wont drink/need as much as formula..my DD and DS only drank 4-5 oz for the whole yr I pumped.
-I have also heard oatmeal helps!

Hope that helped some!

Good luck!

Re: Pumping and supply

I have the medela freestyle double pump. I eat oatmeal and drink a lot of water. I will try the fenugreek!

Re: Pumping and supply

Make sure you're also eating enough. How often are you pumping? You need to pump/BF as often as DC eats. You can try Mother's Milk Tea and/or More Milk Plus.