I Need to Increase the Amount of Expressed Breastmilk

Here's a different angle to consider. I had a lot of trouble pumping at first, barely getting anything, then I swung by the lactation department at the hospital in which I delivered and tried the hospital grade pump, and it worked MUCH better. Now realize that the breast that you used less will likely not catch up to the other one, but just another angle to consider.

Hola F.,
Tendras que beber un monton de fluidos, especialmente agua y comer verduras como espinacas, collard, kale... all leafy green veggies.
Y hay que dar de mamar en ambos lados. Cuando mas exprimes o das a tu hija, mas vas a tener.
Suerte,
L.
Helping Moms Work From Home!

The best thing to do is to have your daughter nurse more frequently in addition to the pumping to increase your supply. Pumping will help with your supply, but it won't do nearly as well as her nursing to stimulate production.

Since you rarely use the one breast, the best way to get it to produce more than a few drops is to have her use that breast as well. Initially, it may be tough, but your body will respond to her demands over a few feedings.

Good luck. If that doesn't work, ask your OB/GYN - there are a lot of products out there, but little clinical evidence is really available to support their effectiveness.

Yes to everyone below. My friend also made me "lactation cookies", and I thought they gave me a little jump start too. You can google recipe's, but make sure you find a one that uses natural oatmeal and flax seed. You can actually buy flax seed and mix it in w/ anything, it's really good for you too. Also, 3oz from one side is pretty good. Keep it up!

Try taking a supplement. Fenugreek is highly recommended by doctors and lactation consultants as an easy and safe way to increase your milk supply. We buy capsules at Whole Foods (an all natural grocery store) and keep them in the fridge.

I would take 2 at breakfast, lunch and dinner for about 2 days. And I would definitely notice more milk.

If you are not looking to take something you can pump after feedings. Even though you don't get any milk the suction will stimulate your body to produce more. You can "dry pump" 5-10 mins after each feeding and should notice an increase within about 48 hrs. Although this is a more natural way to stimulate milk production it can leave your breasts sore and tender. You don't need to have high suction on the pump, just enough to mimic the suction of a baby nursing.

Best of luck!

PS You can also check out the Le Leche League website for more info on nursing questions. http://www.llli.org/resources/assistance.html?m=0,0

I noticed when I first started pumping that the milk I pumped out was a lot less than I actually had in there. The only trick I could find that worked was to only pump one breast at a time, and stimulate the nipple on the other one. This would "trick" my boob being pumped into "letting down" and releasing the milk.
After awhile my breasts got used to the pumping action (although they much preferred the actual baby! lol) and I didn't need to stimulate as much.
So when you're pumping, make sure you're free from distraction and stimulate that nipple!
Also you said you don't use one breast much, and I would suggest you start letting your daughter feed from it to naturally get your supply up in that boob.
As she gets older one breast may not be enough for her, so its important to get that other one caught up.
Good luck and great job with breastfeeding!

My son is 5.5 months old and I usually only get 3-4 oz out of each breast when I pump. I increased my milk supply to save up for an upcoming vacation just by pumping like crazy. I either pumped or nursed every 90 minutes...like it or not...for about 4 days before my supply was about doubled! On the breast that is not producing, I would offer that breast to your child first, and once she has gotten all she can get out of it, switch her to the other. When she's done eating, pump the "empty" breast for at least 10 minutes. It is a pain in the butt, and very time consuming, but very worth it in the long run.

Your breasts will only produce the amount that you need to feed your baby. If you feed your baby only on one breast, it is likely that that will be the only breast to produce milk.
I love fennugreek capsules for overall breastmilk production. I eat steel cut oats and drink Yogi Tea for Nursing Mother's too.
I don't have alot of advice on how to bring an underproducing breast back except to nurse her on that breast at the start of every feeding. By now though if it has gone unused for a long time, it may never come back to the production level of the other one.
I think a great time to pump is after every feeding to increase your supply. Or if you are looking for a little storage, pumping after your morning feeding and before you go to bed. My 8 months old baby goes to bed at 7:30 and I nurse him then and I stay up until 10 and pump before I go to bed.

i didn't read all your answers - but i'll tell you what our doctor told me that worked:

1. pump more often... if you feed every 3 hours, pump right after feeding, and then pump 1.5 hours later. That is the basis of milk production: the more you pump/feed, the more your body makes.

2. Fenugreek - a supplement you can get at health food stores (or our local Wegmans grocery store even has it).

3. Relax! Any stress can hurt your milk supply. So as difficult as it may be, relax at least a few minutes before pumping, turn off the lights, put on soothing music.

Good luck!

definitely pick up a box of mother's milk tea at the health food store. drink a few cups a day and you'll see a difference!

Eat some canned spinach - you will be quite full of milk the next morning.

I would pump on one side while my son nursed on the other.

You can try 'Fenugreek',I used the fenugreek powder mixed it water & drank

Hi F.:

Reflexology is a bodywork administered on the feet and hands. It may be able to assist breastmilk flow. I recommend doing some research to see if it is a good option for you.

All the best,
N.
www.WholeCreations.com