Hi there,
Hoping I can get some advice on what to do. I have a 8 month old son and have been nursing him since his birth. I went back to work around 4 months and started pumping. It worked out fine. I am a teacher so I can only pump when the kids go to recess, maybe for around 8 minutes 3 times day, but it was enough and things were going great. Along comes summer and my pumping schedule has been thrown off, I am not always home at the times I used to pump. It seems as though I just don't have as much milk as before. I will nurse him off one breast and pump on the other and get maybe 1.5 oz this is after 5 hours. Last night I got up at 3:00 AM to pump thinking I would get a lot of milk it had been since 9:30 since I had last nurse him, I only got 2,5 oz. off both breasts. My questions: is my milk drying out?, do I need to nurse, pump more often? Are there certain foods I need to eat to help my milk production? I start teaching in a month and I would like to be able to freeze a little but at this rate I can't. I really don't want to use formula. Any advice?
Thanks, Liz

Drink lots of water and nurse and/or pump more often to stimulate milk production. Short and to the point advice. I heard advice on nursing recently on the Discovery channel. Let baby nurse on one side only. The fore milk is more watery, the hind milk is the heavier stuff and it takes 15-20 minutes to get to the hind milk. Rather than nurse on each side for 10-15 minutes, nurse just one side each feeding.

I used to pump one while the baby nursed the other. Milk production increased by doing this as well. I would usually get about 6 ounces every morning with doing this.

It could also be that if the baby has started solids, milk production has decreased because hunger levels go down once they are eating cereal, etc.

If all else fails... My babies had both breast milk and formula (Carnation Good Start was easy on their tummies). Both of my kids are now BIG at ages 10 and 12 and doing great! They survived a little bit of formula.

Hopefully the baby is still in practice with the bottle as that may be a more difficult one for the sitter -- I speak from experience having babysat a breastfed baby who didn't like the bottle. What worked in that situation was going to a sippy cup. Avent makes some nice ones with rubber type sipper parts that are good for 6 months and up.

Thanks so much for the advice.

"It could also be that if the baby has started solids, milk production has decreased because hunger levels go down once they are eating cereal, etc."

I didn't even think about that, he now eats fruits and veggies and cereal.

"Hopefully the baby is still in practice with the bottle as that may be a more difficult one for the sitter"

He stills drinks from the bottle daily, so it is not a difficult transition for him and my Mom, she watches him during the day.

Liz

Liz, I'm just so inspired by the fact that you have kept nursing and pumping throughout your school year! What a great gift you've given/ are giving your baby. I stayed home and nursed on demand for all three kids - so I have no advice to give, just wanted to give you my compliments! I don't know if I could have done what you've done had I worked out of the home.

Great job! Good luck keeping it up if you can.

D

Oatmeal is supposed to be good for milk supply. You might want to see if on kellymom's site there is info on boosting milk supply.

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LaLeche league should be a wealth of info.,too. Good Luck.

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Again thanks so much for all the advice, I really appreciate it. Devinmom what wonderful things you said to me, thank you. I am so blessed to work with amazing teachers who helped me through a crazy year and I am also blessed to have both my Mom and my MIL watch my son while I go back to work.

Typically your body keeps up with the demand..like you said, baby is eating more solids now, and needs to nurse less. Keep pumping away, as you have been. Your supply can go up and down, depending on how much baby eats, and you pump your supply can go up again. As another poster said, drink lots, and lots of water! I nursed, and extended nursed all 3 of my children, even tandem nursing my youngest two (18 mos apt) for a few months. I'm really glad to hear that you sound so positive, and not entirely frustrated, just a little concerned..that will help even more with your supply (not being stressed!). Keep up the great work momma!

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If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers... - Homer Simpson

I agree with most of the above advice. I used to be a LLL Leader, so I stongly recommend using your local group as a resource. If you have time, you could attend their meetings. You can gather so much information from the others who attend.

It IS possible to increase your milk supply, although it will take perseverance on your part. I would recommend pumping every 3-4 hours, when possible. Keep up the good work! You're doing a great job!