I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I never knew how difficult and time consuming BF really is. It is the hardest thing I ever had to do. I just started pumping and I'm getting really discouraged. I'm only getting maybe an 1/2 oz to an oz everytime I pump. I usually pump after I feed dd. It's just so frustrating. Is this even normal? I'll never have a life at this point. Between BF and pumping I feel like thats all I do all day long.

Did you ever have issues with your supply? I feel like there's something wrong with my body.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Here are some tips:

Pump longer. Try switching between the start mode and the pumping mode, you may get another let down.

Try More Milk Plus(available online or at Whole Foods) get the tincture and follow instructions. Also try oatmeal, lots of water, put a warm washcloth over each boob before pumping to encourage letdown.

Massage from the top of your boob down towards the nipple.

HTH

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

It is so hard. Don't beat yourself up about it. I'm trying to BF twins and have a 4.5 year old DD. It's so stressful. The doctor has told me that I should pump too to get my supply increased. I feel like I will have no time for anything else if I do that. You have to do what's right for you. I'm doing half breastmilk/half formula right now, but probably won't last very long with the BFing. I feel guilty about it.

I think there are ways to increase your supply, but don't know exactly what that is. I know there's a special tea (mother's milk?) and a pill (fenugreek?)

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I couldn't even produce enough to feed my DD. I understand it can take time to increase a supply if you're pumping after feeding. I never got a supply so I don't know. Best thing someone told me was to start enjoying my daughter and not feel like a failure because I had to give her [perfectly healthy] formula. I hadn't even realized I was allowed to enjoy my nb until that point.

A happy mommy is more important than breast milk for that baby, I was told. I didn't have a choice so I had to try to believe it.

ETA: I was just reading Melissa's post and I feel jealous because in the 6 weeks I nursed and pumped (the first 4 wks around the clock every 2-3 hours, sometimes 40 mins at a time with the hospital-grade rental pump), I never once had a let down. Never leaked never got engorged nothing. So if those things are happening to you, you're better off than I ever was.

Message edited 5/24/2011 1:36:01 PM.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Are you drinking a lot of water?

I had an issue with my supply as well, but i made it a point to DRINK DRINK DRINK.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I agree with massaging the breast before you start pumping AND during pumping! Also, remember that your baby is taking most of the milk from your breasts, so at first, when you pump right after you feed, you won't get much. Make sure you pump for at least 15-20 minutes. Don't stop immediately when no more milk seems to be coming out. When the milk flow stops, try pumping an extra 5 minutes. This will "train" your breasts to produce more milk. The first 6 weeks or so are definitely the toughest. Then it gets much easier and more routine! Hang in there, you're doing a great job!!

ETA: I know your daughter is very young still, but is she sleeping longer stretches at night yet? When this starts happening, try pumping towards the beginning of her long stretch- right before you go to sleep!

Message edited 5/24/2011 1:44:24 PM.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Do you HAVE to pump, or are you doing it just because?
When I had my twins I started pumping the second week and got so discouraged because I was barely getting anything.
Best thing I did was stop pumping for a month. By then I knew the babies were getting what they needed, so I wasn't so upset by the very little I was getting when I pumped, plus they were much better at it by then, so actual nursing was also more pleasant.
I am BFing DD#2 who is now 11 weeks, and only pumped a few times when I had mastitis at 5 weeks to help get the milk out, and found I still wasn't able to pump very much. I have heard of people who have to replace a bottle after a few minutes and thought maybe there was somethng wrong with me, but I have realized that some people are good pumpers and others are not.
If you don't have to pump, I would stop - just concentrate on nursing DD and getting comfortable with that. REMEMBER, the baby is MUCH more efficient than the pump. As long as she is happy and gaining weight, there is nothing wrong with your supply.
I have never been engorged (except for when my milk came in) and have never leaked. I do feel letdown with DD2 but never did with my twins. Everyone is is different.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I only pumped for other reasons and it was a pain. My friend is still nursing after 8 months. In the beg. her supply came in slowly so she was supplementing with formula. It took about 3 weeks for her to have enough to EBF. You may want to do that

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

If you don't have to pump then don't. You really should give ur body 6+ wks to allow your baby to establish your supply.

However if you need to pump make sure you are eating and drinking enough. Your body needs fuel to make milk. Eat a bowl or two of oatmeal a day, and drink tons of water.

BFing is very hard in the beginning bc its new and time consuming but it will get easier and better. Also if you need to supplement once in awhile don't beat yourself up.

Hang in there!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Thanks girls!!! I can definitely try to up my water intake. I'm sure that's not helping.

She definitely is getting enough from me. That's not really a concern. She is gaining weight thankfully. Its more pumping is a problem. I hardly pump anything. I don't want to stop because I'm trying to build a supply for when I go back to work. That and I feel like having a supply would help me have more of a life. I'll be able to have a date night or go places. Right now I feel like a prisoner of my home.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

dont worry!! you will have a life again! i had a winter baby and i literally felt like my a$$ was glued to the couch from bfing /pumping. and it was too cold to go outside in between bfing sessions.

i sugguest pumping before you feed the baby. a baby is more efficient at getting milk out then a pump.
if you pump about 15 minutes before you feed the baby, i htink you will get a little more.
also try pumping in the AM. this is when your supply is most abundant!

i remember only pumping out .5 oz on each boob and it was so annoying!
you will be able to pump more esp as she gets bigger.

the first 2-3 months of bfing are a challenge but after 3 months, it gets sooooooooo much easier!

good luck and dont give up! we've all been there!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I dont really have much advice since i am new at this, but just wanted to send some your way. I am feeling the same way (that all i do is BF and pump) and can relate to how hard that is.

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Kristin, I was there. Your issue is pumping after bfing. You definitely won't get as much. Can you drop pumping sessions or feed her on one side and pump the other? I dropped most pumping sessions and that helped. I also did the tea, beer, and oatmeal. This age is the hardest. It gets a lot easier, I promise! You can FB message me if you need help!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

you are not alone! i had major problems with my supply coming in and had to suppliment with formula after the 1st feed when DD lost weight. since then i've BF and pumped for 2
months. now i'm back at work & the thought of pumping before i leave / when i get home made me crazy so i stopped. i'd rather nurse and spend time with her. sure it might not give her that extra month of breast milk, but in the end we get to spend time together and actually enjoy the nursing process. i hated pumping and stopping was the best choice i've made so far. much luck!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

the grass is always greener on the other side.... i was leaking ALL the time i HATED it and felt like a disgusting cow

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I know it is easier said then done but don't stress yourself out! I agree with the pp can you nurse from one side and then pump from the other? I am bfing twins and that is working for me. Also drink lots of water. I also notice that oatmeal helps me the most (even more than pills like more milk plus). I make myself a batch of oatmeal choc chip cookies and eat them like they are going out of style and my milk supply increases ALOT! my little treat for myself

Hang in there! I didn't believe people when they said it gets better but it does!! I promise!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

I am right there with you. Plus DS eats constantly so I feel like I don't even geqt a chance to pump. I go back to work in a week and a half and I've only got about 10 oz in the freezer. He ate 10 oz in 4 hours last week!! I am panicking over how I'm going to be able to feed him. I think I will have to give him formula during the day , but like a PP said, food is food. I feel like all I do is BF. When I do get a chance to pump, I only get 1/2 to 2 oz. I read a lot of KellyMom.com a week or two ago and it made me feel so much better about how often he ate and how little I pump out in a sitting. It is ROUGH. I try to make sure I have everything I need within reach. I set up my "nest" on the couch and make sure I have my cell, the house phone, the remote, my kindle and my laptop and/or iPad. I have watched a lot of netflix (I watched an ENTIRE 6 season tv series) and have read about 4 books in the 8 weeks DS has been here. Hang in there, we are here for you!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Posted by wingsofsong

I agree with massaging the breast before you start pumping AND during pumping! Also, remember that your baby is taking most of the milk from your breasts, so at first, when you pump right after you feed, you won't get much. Make sure you pump for at least 15-20 minutes. Don't stop immediately when no more milk seems to be coming out. When the milk flow stops, try pumping an extra 5 minutes. This will "train" your breasts to produce more milk. The first 6 weeks or so are definitely the toughest. Then it gets much easier and more routine! Hang in there, you're doing a great job!!

ETA: I know your daughter is very young still, but is she sleeping longer stretches at night yet? When this starts happening, try pumping towards the beginning of her long stretch- right before you go to sleep!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

Re: I'm getting really discouraged!!!

i am in a similar situation. im 10 days post partum and i barely get a half oz. after 30 minutes of pumping. i pump for so long that the pump turns off . all i get is little driplets that slowly drip into the bottles... i have to pump cause DD is in the NICU. i breastfeed when im there but its only 2 or 3 feedings a day. also cause its NICU we still give her a bottle after BFing and i prefer that to be breastmilk. that means i end up not having nearly enough to meet her demand. the LC at the hospital tells me that its cause i was on magnesium after my c-section and it set my milk supply back a few days. but now im getting nervous that it wont ever fully come in