Never Really Produced Alot of milk...now Working and Pumping Is Even Harder

Work at home! That's what I'm doing -building a business at home marketing (not selling) non-toxic home products and having a wonderful time doing it with a huge amount of support!And spending time with my son. No investment needed. I'm working with a company that won the Torch Award for ethical business practices from the BBB! Take a look at workathomeunited.com/CLD and email me for more details.I can call you to get you all the info you want. Its is not Amway, or a get rich quick scheme. -C.

I had the same problems with my 2 babies only it was worse for the 2nd baby. I produced even less milk. I tried everything as well, pumping, fenugreek, lactation consultants... none of it worked for me and it was very stressful. I found it to be so stressful that it made it miserable for me and my babies. I decided it wasn't worth all of the anguish. With my 2nd baby, when I finally made the decision to give up breast feeding and start formula feeding, it made life so much easier. I know breastfeeding is the best for babies, but I don't think it is best for for every situation. When I made my decision we both were so much happier and my babies were finally getting enough to eat. Don't feel bad about what you decide. Only you know what is best.

I can relate. I have 5 children and I have never had much luck with nursing. With most of them I was blessed to at least nurse for a short time before my milk supply wasn't enough. With my oldest, when I realized that I was mursing for me and not for her, I had a really difficult time. It was even harder when I had friends around me who were "moo cows" you know the kind that can nurse an army. I was jealous... a lot. I felt like a failure as a mom- every mom's suppose to be able to nurse and enjoy that bonding, right? Unfortunately, no. I decided that it was more important to spend my time, effort and energy enjoying my new little babies rather than stressing over nursing. There is no shame in not nursing and using formula. I admire your dedication to trying to nurse. Ultimately you have to decide whether the fight is worth it. If you feel it is- keep it up it seems like you're doing everything you can. If you choose to go to just formula don't let anyone make you feel guilty for that. You are obviously a very dedicated mother who wants what's best for your child- choose what is best for you. Good luck!
PS Sometimes women who have difficulty with nursing 1 child have success with their next one.

The other mammas have given great advise! Keep pumping, keep a picture of your baby nearby and find a quiet place. It's very important to relax when pumping. One thing that I did (I had trouble keeping my milk up when I was working too but was able to nurse my daughter a full year)...and it sounds really weird, but it worked! Drink a cup of hot tea with milk in in. It seemed to really increase my milk production. I know it's an old wives tale, but it really worked for me.

Hi A.,

I've had huge challenges with both my children and never had enough milk with either. We've determined it's probably hormonal but because of cost, I couldn't afford to test for what exactly went wrong. I went through multiple lactation consultants, herbs, lactogenic foods & drinks and finally ended up on a prescription to increase milk.

So, I sympathize !! With my second, I pumped full time (6-8x/day) and still supplemented.

There are a number of reasons a woman might not have enough milk ranging from underdeveloped milk ducts, hormone issues, PCOS and other undetermined reasons. The important thing is, give your child the best you can and try not to stress about the rest.

Some thoughts that might help you. :)

1. Buy "Making more milk". It addresses hormonal issues as well as the best drugs/supplements to deal with specific situations. It's the BEST book I've found on the subject. You can buy it on Amazon.

2. Make sure you have a hospital grade pump. You can rent them. Pump in Style won't work best for a mom with supply issues.

3. 15 minutes has never been enough for me. If I quit at 15 I'd probably get 1.5 oz total. If I go 45 I'll get 3 oz. Stimulate your breasts. Be sure to massage as you pump. A warm washcloth/compress a few minutes before you pump can really aid with let down.

4. REST! Go to bed as often as you can! Especially when you're working and being a mommy, this often falls by the wayside. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your little one. Let dad pick up the slack wherever possible right now - laundry, dishes etc. You have your hands full nourishing a baby.

Remember, ANY milk you can provide is better than nothing. It is NOT your fault that you can't produce enough milk. Remind yourself that you're doing a great job providing the milk that you already have provided. Breastfeeding is just not easy for everyone.

If you want support or another perspective, there is a great breastfeeding support group on yahoo called MOBI. There are a lot of women who are going/have gone through what you're experiencing and it's really encouraging and educational to talk to them.

Finally, and most importantly remember that being a good mom is more than breastfeeding. Clearly, breastmilk is best BUT don't let it eclipse your time snuggling and enjoying your little one. If you're burnt out from worrying about this, you'll miss out on a lot of sweet times. :)

Blessings,

M.

button-style link

It sounds like your baby has hit a growth spurt. That is always difficult especially when you cannot actually nurse her so she can signal your body to make more milk. I've had a lot of trouble myself, before I realize I am truly one of those who can't produce enough milk.

A few things I've learned that may help you. Use your imagination, imagine your baby at your breast when you pump. Find a nice quiet place and relax. Before pumping, massage your breast. Place an item of your baby's clothing that she has worn directly on your skin. Try to position the breast pump in different spots.

Fenugreek works for a lot of women, but I found out that it works better in conjunction with blessed thisle, fennel and milkweed. So try drinking a mother's milk tea as well. Another thing to try is Goat's Rue. I am planning on using this when my baby comes in December.

What kind of breast pump are you using? Some women have no trouble with the smaller hand pump ones, My foster daughter got along just fine with a small electic pump. I myself, have to use a hospital grade pump. Before I bought my Medela pump in style pump, I rented a pump. For me, Medela was the best and I got a lot more milk in less time. But that is me. For me, it was worth the investment of getting it.

I could not nurse my first son at all. I exclusively pumped all my milk for him. I was stressed and a hormonal mess for quite some time. I finally got into a rhythm and felt better know that despite having to supplement, I was doing the best I could for my baby. I hope this helps you.

I know this post is a little late, but I just wanted you to know that breastfeeding is not easy. That is why some women don't do it. I was planning on nursing for at least 12 months for my son, but he was born with a tooth (1 in 1000 chance). So after weeks of tears (from both my son and myself) I pumped exclusively for a year. I had a very love/hate relationship with my pump and I was able to keep going by telling myself "I can quit tomorrow, but not today". It is SOOOO stressful when you know you are the only one making food for your kid. Try to be okay with whatever you provide is the perfect amount, even if it is not 100% of what she needs. Also, I honor you for keeping pumping while at work (which in itself is a huge task). Just remember that while formula is not optimal, but many kids only get formula and they turn out okay. Any breastmilk (even if it is just a nursing session in the AM and PM and maybe a bottle here and there) is better than nothing. Anything you can provide is WONDERFUL! You are doing a GREAT job (and saving $ on having a "formula only" baby)! I know it is frustrating. Don't give up! If you can make it through today, you can always quit tomorrow ;-)

Babies are much better at getting milk out then a pump is. If she's growing and happy up to this point, then you ARE making enough for her needs. Unfortunately this is a mistake a lot of moms make--they feel if they aren't pumping much then they aren't making much. Not true necessarily.

It can be hard work to bf exclusively and nurse but it can be done. Unfortunately it is true that some women just cannot pump enough away from their children, despite having a good pump. Their supply is fine, it's just getting it out is the problem.

Make sure you have a good pump...Medela higher end ones are great but can be expensive....but you can rent one as well. I co-sleep, so my little girl nurses all she can at night and we both get better sleep this way. Drink tons and tons and tons of water (NOT caffinated beverages), as if you're dehydrated, you won't produce as much. Eat a healthy diet, lots of protein, lots of small frequent meals throughout the deal (small frequent hi-protein that is). Oatmeal can help too..I eat a dish of it every morning with my usual eggs and toast (must be the old-fashioned rolled-oat kind, not instant).

Nurse frequently as much as you can while you're at home and on your days off, nurse as soon as you pick her up or as soon as you get home and ask the sitter to not feed her about an hour or so before you pick her up so she will be ready for you. Nursing around the clock will help keep your supply up and yes, it means that some sleep will be lost.

It is supply and demand in a lot of cases, if you aren't nursing as much you aren't going to make as much milk. IF you can, try going to her for lunch or have the sitter or someone bring her to you for lunch. An IBCLC can help too perhaps, along with some of the other great suggestions here. I really love the book Nursing MOther, Working MOther from LLL....it really helped me when my daughter was born.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you just aren't able to pump enough. What one friend of mine did is she co-slept, and nursed her daughter around the clock, pumped what she could (sometimes getting up at odd times during the night even...that dosen't work for everyone of course) and had her sitter give her what she could plus some formula, then when she got home it was more nursing throughout the evening and night. Sometimes it was just formula at the sitters but still exclusive nursing at home. WHen her babe was old enough for solids, then that cut down on the amount she had to send to the sitter and I think towards the end she was able to eliminate formula alltogether, since the small amount she made was enough to sustain her until she got there (along with solids and juices throughout the day).

Just try everything you can and don't give up until you've tried everything that you can do. If you have to mix the two, then you do what you have to do. As long as you're still nursing she's still getting BM and that's very important. If for whatever reason things don't turn out and you have to do formula exclusively, then at least you know you tried your very hardest=----and that's all you can ask of yourself and all your babe can ask of you.

Hi A.,

Yes, it's true that not all women can nurse! With my first, my milk didn't come it until 2 weeks after he was born. I tried so hard, but he was so hungry. We had to supplement with formula from the beginning and he quickly lost interest in even trying to nurse. When I had my second, I read, researched, had a consultant and even asked moms on this forum if there was something I could do differently. I tried several things - the best being an electic double pump! I had to pay a pretty penny, but it was so worth it! I pumped religiously from day one every 2 hours! It was so hard. My daughter is now 7 months and I still pump every 2-3hours, even at work! I have never pumped more than 4 oz total! I typically only pump 2 oz total, but if I go more than 6 hrs (like at night time), I can pump more. It's definitely hard and it's a lot of washing parts and bottles, but like you, I think it's worth it. My son had RSV and all kinds of sicknesses before he turned 1 yrs old. My daughter is super healthy so I'm positive that it's due to her having at least SOME of my immunities! One other thing that helped is, More Milk Plus. I had to order it at motherlove.com. I think it was around $50. It definitely worked, but it also gave my daughter really bad gas. So, I decided not to order it again once I ran out.

Hang in there and don't feel like you're alone! Feel free to ask me any questions.

Good luck!

L.

Stick with it! At least for a little while. What worked for me going back to work and having to pump (SO MUCH!! argg) was to watch a video of pictures of my son while pumping. Not possible at a lot of jobs I know. Also I had a lot more milk out when I stimulated my breasts while pumping. It's awkward at first but who cares! I just would massage the breasts while the pump was going and I really saw a huge difference. Is there any way you could nurse baby while she's sleeping just before you go to bed? I know sleeping through the night is a real blessing but if it wouldnt wake her too much maybe try sneaking in another nursing late night or early morning? Also you could try a "power pump". Basically you pump 20 minutes, wait and drink water 20 minutes, pump 20, wait 20, pump 20. 1 solid hour of pumping and it is said to help stimulate production.
I applaud your drive to keep doing this! It's truly the best thing for you and baby. The World Health Organization recommends 2 years MINIMUM for baby and mom's best benefits. Good luck and god bless!

Hello and Congratulations to your daughter! And kudos for you that you are trying so hard to get her your milk!
I had a hard time as well and not often produced much more than an ounce per side, often less. Somehow it worked better when our oldest daughter was a baby vs. for our new daughter, probably because there was a little less stress and more time. In the end I pumped at home and at work as much as I could and combined results to get a full meal for her. It varied over time how many pumpings would make a meal. She got formula for the other meals.
She was born in August and started to sleep through at about 3 months. For some time I still got up in the night to pump to keep up the milk, but then the need for sleep was stronger and I stopped that session. Between Christmas and New Year then I weaned myself off the pumping because it took me basically all day to get one ounce together. She was doing fine on the formula, obviously. I believe that I did what I could and that I helped her immune system a little during that time.
It seems you are doing all the right things - water, not going crazy over it, fenugreek.... As long as it works for you, keep it up and once it does not anymore, do not feel bad or beat yourself up when you have to stop. The only other thing I could think of, would be to check on the pump you are using. If it is really important and feasible, maybe look into renting one of the hospital-grade pumps. I was told then that they are better than any "household" use pumps, but while it would likely increase your output, it would not, say, double it or so.
Hope this helps a little. I was really heartbroken over this then, but eventually everything works out - it always does : )

D.

You are doing a wonderful thing for you daughter by giving her the gift of your milk. All women are built to breastfeed their babies, but not all women can keep their milk supply up with just a pump. Pumps retrieve your milk in a different way than babies. And, it's harder to fall in love with a pump than a baby. :)

The best way to increase your milk supply is to nurse, nurse, nurse! If all of your feedings when you are together are at the breast, this will help your supply. Some suggestions for these times are before she goes to the sitter (even if you need to wake her first), as soon as you pick her up from the sitter, before she goes to bed, and the whole time you are together on your days off.

When you're pumping, try to be in a comfortable place. Have a picture of your baby and something with her smell. The type of pump you are using can make a big difference, too. For your situation, you will need a dual electric pump. There are some excellent suggestions regarding pumping while working here:
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/pumpwork.html

Best wishes, A.. Enjoy that baby! :)

First off, I'm really sorry! I know how much I wanted to exclusively breastfeed my son, and how difficult it was when it didn't work out as I had planned. My son was 6 weeks early and didn't have the suck and swallow reflex when he was born. I used a pump exclusively to bring fed himin my milk and through bottles. When he was about 6 weeks old, he was able to nurse, but never seemed to get enough, so I had to give him more in a bottle. I ended up needing to go back to work when he was about 3 and 1/2 months old. When he was 2 and 1/2 month old, he was getting 1/2 breastmilk and 1/2 formula and by 6 months, he was only getting formula. It never seemed like I made enough for him and I literally dried out. One of the lactation consultants suggested an organic tea called Mothers Milk. I drank that religiously to increase my supply. I'm now due with our 2nd son within 1 month and am hoping for better results. Good luck!

Been there! I had the same problem nursing my son. I tried Brewer's Yeast and Fennel and every other home remedy. I started to lose the breast milk around the time he went to his babysitter. I pumped at work but eventually lost milk all together. I hate to break it to you but that is what is happening to you. Don't beat yourself up or stress about it. It happens. It's really ok to just use formula. You gave her all of the antibodies she needs by now. I've had friends that this happened on their first child but not on their second. It's ok. Little about me- I have a 3-1/2 year old son who rarely ever gets sick and is above the 50th percentile for everything. I hope this helps.

I stressed about pumping enough for my daughter when I went back to work. I got about the same amount 3-4oz per side when pumping. What I started to do, and it seems like you can do this too since she is sleeping through the night, is pump an hour and a half after her last feeding at night on both sides. I was told that it takes your body an hour and a half to fill up. That way, if she happens to wake up early for a feeding, you will fill up again enough to soother her in another hour and a half!

Also, you may want to stop by Baby, Mother, and More on the SE corner of Gilbert and Baseline. They can give you some amazing free advice! They helped me prepare with my first so that I had a huge frozen supply when I went back to work!

Good luck, keep us posted!

No such thing as not built for this. It's all a matter of supply and demand. The more the baby nurses, the more you produce, the less nursing, the less production. Also, the production is reduced drastically due to pumping. Pumping does not stimulate the milk production as does nursing. Even if you nurse at morning and at night, you are doing fantastic. Hang in there. You are a hero for working and trying to nurse. I have done it. It is HARD. I also know most moms who return to work give up on nursing all together. Very normal to do so. It is HARD. You are an amazing mom for caring so much about nursing and for going through the trouble. Whatever happens, the baby is blessed to have such a wonderful mom. Good luck.

A.,

I can hear your desperation to want to nurse. I applaud you for wanting to keep it up. It really is the best thing for you and your baby. Please know that there is alot of help out there for you if you are determined enough to find it and continue to nurse as much as you can. That said, sometimes we have to do the next best thing and really listen to your inner wisdom and leading with your belly heart, you will do the best thing for your daughter.
I'm not sure about the belief that "some women are just not built to do this." I believe that so many factors come into play when a mom is finding it difficult to nurse. I pasted 2 articles on nursing. One reaches the emotional part of breastfeeding. The other is an article on SOME "nursing Pitfalls".

I also want you to take some time to think of a few things.
*What is your support system like? Is your breastfeeding effort really supported?
*Does your work support your need to pump? Do you have a relaxing place to pump at work? If not, talk to your employer about your needs and wants, and supply her/him with research on why you choosing to nurse your baby is beneficial not just for your baby, but for you, and how it effects your work. There is tons of research to back this up.
*How many people have you talked to (besides the lactation consultant and mamasource), to help you? Some suggestions:
La Leche League. Mothers, Babies and More in Chandler (or GIlbert?) A man, owns this store and from what I understand, he knows TONS about breastfeeding and has helped lots and lots of women with nursing issues. I highly suggest checking him out. There is a lactation consultant who works at Phx Babtist Hospital. I'm sorry I forgot her name, but she's one of the best. In her 50's or so, from New York:) Very nice and knowledgable. Look up Susan Weed on the internet...she's this old hippie lady who is very knowledgable on herbs and nursing issues.

Finally, before reading these articles....try not to think of this as a battle. It's a challenge, but one that you can overcome. I have heard of moms who can start lactating after they adopt a newborn, or of small villages where other women who take over nursing a baby if the mom becomes ill or something, or of the mom who was able to nurse her baby AFTER the baby was in the NICU for MONTHS. Do NOT underestimate the power your body has. Even if you have to do the next best thing (forumla feed), It takes great love, faith and determination to parent and nurture your baby in the way that is right for both of you.

I wish you all the best as you continue your parenting journey.

A.
mom of 4. Birth and Parenting Mentor
www.birthingfromwithin.com

Breastfeeding From Within
By Virginia Bobro

Birthing From Within encourages and teaches "doing the next best thing" when it comes to making decisions within the flow of labor and birth. The same mind-set is important during postpartum and breastfeeding. In the days, weeks, months, and even years that a woman is breastfeeding, she will face numerous obstacles, detours, and unexpected events. How she prepares prenatally and how she views these challenges can make a difference in her ability to cope.

As a breastfeeding counselor, I support many breastfeeding mothers who have to change their perception of what a "successful" breastfeeding relationship is. Some mothers need to wean much earlier than they hoped. Others need to supplement with bottles or formula. These are opportunities to re-envision what it means to nurture and nourish their babies. Many mothers are humbled when the "breastfeeding fairy" presents them with difficult circumstances and spoils their fantasy that nursing is easy and blissful.

When breastfeeding does not go as expected or hoped for, a mother can feel regret, anger, blame, grief, and guilt. Inevitably, this negative self-talk begins to affect her self-esteem and attitude, her ability to receive support, and her relationships with her baby, partner, and others in her community.

So, what can be done?
In addition to learning practical things that make breastfeeding easier, do this:
♥ Learn and practice mindfulness.
The same pain-coping practices you learn to help you cope with labor can help you postpartum when you need to still your mind, quiet negative self-talk and deal with physical discomfort and stress. (See Birthing From Within, pp. 213-238).
♥ Get a breastfeeding "reality check."
Breastfeeding is natural, but not always straightforward and easy. Very few women sail through breastfeeding on calm seas from beginning to end. Even for the most vigilant captain, storms arise outside of her control, and still, she can do the next best thing. When women know that they can influence but not control what happens, they can see the wisdom of preparing for all possibilities.
♥ Set up your breastfeeding support system.
Having a supportive crew onboard in the first months of motherhood can make all the difference. Welcome meals, errands, and compassionate listeners. When breastfeeding gets rough, support is needed to keep going and not get mired in "what ifs" and judgment. You need to hear acknowledgment that you are doing your best, not more advice and information.

♥ Focus on connecting with your baby and yourself as a mother
Come to breastfeeding with an open heart. To the degree that you can, let go of your ideals and goals, such as breastfeeding exclusively for six months. Just hold the intention to do the best you can. When you love yourself and feed your baby in love, this is the heart of breastfeeding from within

EXERCISE: Feeding with Love

When sitting (or lying down) to feed your baby, try this:

Begin to notice all the sensations around you, beginning with your baby:
Look at her face, notice the touch of her skin, take in her smell and her sounds.

Then begin to bring your attention to your own body: Where does your body touch your baby's body? How is your breath moving in and out of your body?
Where do you feel relaxed and open?
Where does your body feel tight, tense, or closed?

Gently and mindfully breathe into those places, softening and releasing anything that is unneeded in this moment. This may take several minutes. Go slowly and do not expect perfection!

As your body lets go of anything extra, feel your heart opening.
Allow yourself to inhale the presence of your baby, loving her in this moment and loving yourself as well. With each new breath, feel into your baby's heart, visualizing a connection that endures beyond feeding time.

If feeding is difficult, your focus may return to the task of latching or monitoring the feed. Do what needs to be done, then, when you are ready, take another conscious breath and return to your opening heart.

Resources
Local La Leche League
Lactation Consultants
Other Supportive Breastfeeding Moms

How to Avoid the Top 10 Nursing Pitfalls
BY DIANA WEST, IBCLC, AND LISA MARASCO, MA, IBCLC
As a pregnant or new mother, you might be concerned about making enough milk for your babe. The following 10 nursing pitfalls are among the most common reasons for milk supply difficulties. Knowing what they are and how to avoid them will help you lay a strong foundation for a successful breastfeeding experience.
Pitfall #1: Latch Problems
One of the most common causes of low milk production in the early weeks is poor attachment to the breast. When baby latches too shallowly, he doesn't have enough breast in his mouth to effectively draw out milk. Less milk is removed, and the breast responds by cutting back on production. The good news is that correcting the problem is often relatively easy. If you aren't able to fix it on your own, the problem could be related to baby's ability to suck effectively and may require the help of a lactation consultant.
Pitfall #2: Hormonal Birth Control
"Combination" birth control pills containing forms of both estrogen and progesterone can significantly decrease milk production. Newer "minipills" are estrogen-free and better for nursing mothers, but a small number of women still experience a drop in supply. Similar problems have happened with patch and subdermal implant birth control, and a case of low supply related to a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) has been reported. Depo-Provera, a long-acting injectable hormonal birth control, poses more serious problems because it lasts for three months and cannot be reversed; the best option is to try milk-increasing herbs to counter the effect. Waiting three months or longer after birth to use hormonal birth control will reduce the risk of problems.
Pitfall #3: Herbs
Just as there are herbs that may help increase milk production, others seem to decrease it. Parsley is considered to have lactation-suppressing properties in large amounts, such as in a dish like tabbouleh. Peppermint and sage are reputed to decrease production when consumed in large or concentrated amounts. Frequent brushing with toothpaste containing real mint oil or even eating potent mint candies has caused trouble for some mothers. Fortunately, most of these herbs don't cause problems unless they are consumed regularly or in large amounts.
Pitfall #4: Alcohol
Alcohol inhibits both the milk ejection reflex and milk production, especially when taken in large amounts. Even a single beer or glass of wine can disrupt the balance of lactation hormones. While the immediate effects of alcohol on milk production and delivery last only as long as the alcohol is in your system, chronic alcohol use has the potential to lower your milk supply overall.
Pitfall #5: Outside Interferences
Some mothers facing a medical procedure, drugs, or hospitalization are told that they can't nurse for a period of time. To make matters worse, little or no guidance is provided on how to maintain production, and by the time breastfeeding is "allowed" again, milk supply is damaged. Educating yourself on the facts is your best defense, and regular pumping is your backup. Dr. Thomas Hale's book, Medications and Mothers' Milk (updated biannually), is an excellent safety reference.
Pitfall #6: The Sleepy Newborn
Excessive sleepiness has several possible causes. A newborn may be drowsy after delivery because of medications given to you during labor. The effects may be brief, or they can linger for several days. During this time, lots of skin-to-skin contact can help stimulate your baby and trigger his nursing instincts.
Simply not getting enough milk can also cause a baby to sleep too much. He may eventually rouse and show signs of hunger but fall asleep again within minutes at the breast. This in turn leads to needing longer periods of sleep to conserve precious energy. This can happen as a result of low milk supply, a problem with baby's suck, or baby's medical complications. Supplementation may be needed until milk production can be increased or baby is able to take more milk.
Another cause of infant drowsiness is jaundice, a temporary yellowing of the skin that often looks like a suntan and can make babies lethargic. Wake baby at least every two to three hours until he begins to rouse more on his own. Gentle methods such as holding him upright, massaging his body, talking to him, undressing him, or changing his diaper are most likely to result in willingness to feed.
Pitfall #7: Unnecessary Supplementation
There are certainly times when baby isn't getting enough milk and must be supplemented. But there are also times when unnecessary supplements sabotage milk production by reducing milk removal and stretching out feeding intervals. Problems usually start with "just one bottle a day" or "just a few bottles a week," but the more supplements given, the more are needed because milk isn't made when it isn't removed. It becomes a slippery slope where bottle-feeding eventually seems more convenient or baby appears to like it better.
Pitfall #8: Pacifiers
Pacifiers can mask the hunger cues of babies who are easily soothed by them. They are often given in the belief that baby is supposed to be full after so many minutes at breast. An assertive baby will spit it out and insist on more milk, but an easygoing baby may not be as persistent. This can disrupt the baby-driven milk-making process by forcing inappropriately long feeding intervals that ultimately reduce milk supply.
Pitfall #9: Busyness
Juggling a baby and the conflicting demands of a busy household is challenging. Feedings can be unconsciously postponed when you're preoccupied by other tasks, trying to get "just one more thing" done. It's especially difficult if you have older children and are always on the run driving them around, and the temptation to put off feedings instead of taking time to nurse right now may be strong. Though this may sound difficult, it is crucial to slow down and remember that this baby will only be young once, and his needs are immediate and important. Keeping him close in a soft baby carrier can help you respond to early feeding cues while on the go.
Pitfall #10: Clock-Driven Feeding Durations and Feeding Schedules
Mothers are often urged to get baby on a schedule as quickly as possible to instill early discipline, fit him conveniently into family life, make life more predictable, or for "sleep training." Whatever a parent's fear or motivation, schedules are often regarded as an important parenting goal.
Schedules may seem helpful to parents, but they don't always meet the needs of breastfeeding mothers and babies. Rather than allowing milk production to be driven by baby as nature designed, schedules artificially determine when feedings will take place. Mothers with abundant production and vigorously nursing babies may do well, but mothers with marginal supplies or babies with difficulties often do not. Even if all looks well in the beginning, a sudden drop-off in production can happen after a few months if an insufficient number of hormone receptors were established in the early weeks. Bottom line: advice that supersedes your instincts on when to feed your baby can undermine your milk supply.
Dish with Mindful Mama! Share your tips for breastfeeding success with other moms, and maybe even pick up a few new ones.
Diana West, IBCLC and LIsa Marasco, M.A., IBCLC are the authors of The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk (Mc-Graw Hill, 2009), and board certified lactation consultants in private practice.

Don't stress about pumping. It doesn't equate. If you can and have the energy, you can pump in between feedings to give your milk supply a little boost and you might take Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea. It works within 12 hours.

First of all, you are doing great. You just don't know it because you haven't done it before. 3 ounces on each side is AWESOME.

Anyway, I thought of two things. 1. Try pumping before the baby wakes up in the morning. That's what I do because that is when 12 hours have gone by and I know I have some milk stored up. It's my best pump of the day. The baby will ALWAYS manage to get more out when she wakes up. We tend to "let down" better for the baby than we do for the pump.

2. Beer. Have a dark beer, imported or microbrew (to avoid preservatives and a headache), every night. It brings my milk in when I feel like I'm drying up (or in the beginning when I feel I'm not making enough). It was recommended by my midwife. I've done this with both of my boys and they have never had an ill effect from it. Great news, huh? Have a beer!!

I had the same problem with my 10 month old. I was able to breastfeed until she was 9 months but the 8th month was alot of formula. I was never able to pump more than 3 or 4 oz from each side. sometimes I was lucky to get 3 or 4 oz total! I did find that pumping first thing in the morning helped. and if I did get up in the night even to go to the restroom I would pump and save it. But I just couldn't keep my milk after I went to work. I know there are brestfeeding support groups you can try. good luck!

It's really not all that easy to breast feed and then add going back to work. It's hard. I had to start supplementing with formula while I am at work. It was just not worth the stress. She ends up on average with two bottles a day of formula and two of breast milk and then I am home for two or three nursings. It's not easy. But see what you can do for pumping. What kind of pump do you have. I had an evenflo and it didn't work so great. I got a medela...and am in love with it..

I could not breastfeed my first. I was so frustrated. He never latched on well. Pumping seemed to reduce my milk supply instead of build it up. I felt like a failure but he is doing great. Switching to formula took a ton of stress away. Just do what feels right for you. My second latched on perfect but until after 4 months I still had problems with having enough milk. He did great after that. If you really want to keep breastfeeding I would say just keep feeding as often as possible. It is not easy until you have been doing it for several months.

YEARS ago....a friend's mother told me that she had teh same problem. Her doc PRESCRIBED for her to drink a beer every night. THAT INCREASED her milk production. I don't understand it, but she said it sure worked.
Might be worth a try!