Good Morning -
I have a quick question - I am nursing my 10 month old daughter. She still nurses 3-4 times a day and also eats solids. I have an appt this morning and she is still sleeping (why couldn't she can't do this on a day I could sleep in - haha!) So I decided to pump before I have to leave. After 15-20 mins worth of pumping, I have maybe 2-4 drops worth. I know that you don't get as much pumping as the baby would while nursing, but this seemed a bit strange to me - esp since I haven't nursed in about 9-10 hrs. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appricated! Thanks!
I had the same problem with pumps but when I started drinking Mother's Milk tea daily (according to package directions) it worked great.
Good luck, most importantly relax when you pump. It's hard to pump when you are anxious.
No, your milk is not drying up. Some women are champions at pumping. I had to pump for my third child but was unsuccessful. The baby is the BEST pump ever, so be reassured your baby is getting milk. Don't let what you get (or don't get) from a man-made pump discourage you. It takes months for milk to dry up and even then, you still produce a little. I've known women to still have milk up to a year after their baby stopped nursing. There is nothing wrong with you or your milk supply.
Are you nervous about your appointment? Sometimes if we aren't in a calm, relaxed 'nursing mood' then it's difficult to get a let down. That was my first thought. I think if baby is still latching on 3-4 times a day, then you have milk, otherwise she would give up and just ask for more solids. Just keep nursing, and if you want to increase supply, Fenugreek supplements worked great for me. good luck :)
Nah, your milk is fine. My boobs could be busting at the seams and I couldn't pump much of anything. But my chubby happy babies told me my \milk was just fine. )
I would go by HER and not necessarily by you. Pumping can be affected by so many things (stress, hydration). If she seems to be hydrated and getting what she needs, then I wouldn't worry so much. When you first nurse, it's all hormonal, but then it becomes a mind game. And sometimes the littlest things, like a valve not being fully flush, can tank a pumping session.
Most women are unable to pump much of anything past the 4 month mark. Just because the machine couldn't get anything out, doesn't mean baby has the same issue... Compare the pump as a 1970's vacuum and the baby's mouth as a brand new Dyson. VERY different abilities.
Don't let the pump question your body - it's all good, just look at your baby to know it's true.
Babies are WAY more efficient at getting milk out than we are. I've breastfed all 5 of my kids but was never able to pump. One time I had to pump because I was having surgery and it took me a whole week to pump 2 days worth of milk. I wouldn't worry. You're baby would let you know if your milk is drying up. She probably wouldn't even waste her time at this point. =) Good luck!
It could just be the breast pump, your body responds to your baby's suckling by producing the hormones nessesary to make milk, and breast pumps can't really re-create that. Some women look at a picture of their baby or smell their baby's clothes or a blankie to try to stimulate those hormones! Personally I have a terrible time pumping any milk, but my baby gets plenty when he nurses, he is 14 months old now. If you think your really have a supply issue, go to a supplement store or look online for the herbs fenugreek and blessed thissle. You can also drink some Mother's Milk tea, but you have to drink quite a lot of it to make a difference. Best of luck to you!
