how long til supply increases?

[DaisyDreamer]

Hello FTM here so you will probably see me a lot asking silly questions

Zodi had a frenectomy due to lack of weight gain in the last wee (he's 2 weeks old) and in addition I was told to supplement him with breast milk and formula til his weight was up.

Now that I am pumping I'm finding it hard to produce the 2 oz recommended supplement, obviously his latch was a problem and he was getting too tired and not getting enough milk when it came in so

I am pumping after every feeding sometimes more, how long of this d I do it until I can expect my supply to increase?

TIA ladies

 

[Kiwiberry]

From my own experience, it sometimes would take at least 2-3 days for my supply to go back up after it has dropped. Also, remember that pumps do not get nearly as much milk from the breast as the baby would. So that could be why it seems less to you. You can also try fenugreek, it does not work for everyone but it certainly worked for me.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Not to mention it's a manual pump LOL so tedious

I feel "let-down" sensation often and try to pump when I leak. Should I keep up this pattern?

 

[Kiwiberry]

Oh yes definitely. It could really help to build your supply stash. I remember I used to get so upset if I had a letdown and could not catch it lol. That precious booby gold.

Kudos to you for using a hand pump, I would not be able to do it lol.

Have you looked into getting a cheap electric pump? They work a lot better than hand pumping.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

OMG yes! It's like gold! Especially that I can 't just hook up and let the machine do the work.

if he's around OH will sit there and milk me like a cow when I feed Zodi

 

[Kiwiberry]

You will have some letdowns that you won't be able to catch in time, but that's ok because it happens a lot. Just if you can and have the stuff to do it, I would.

LOL I bet he has no problems doing that for you!!

 

[DaisyDreamer]

BTW congrats on your pregnancy!!

ETA: I got a pump from a WIC office here in the States. They only gave me the hand portion but on Monday they will have the electric component. Free beats anything, in the meantime the hand pumping is not fruitless

 

[Kiwiberry]

Oh and make sure you eat. I noticed that when I did not eat more than I am used to I would have a dramatic drop in my milk supply. I could not diet, at all. Oatmeal is a great way to increase supply.

Do you have medicare / medicaid at all? I know you can get a pump from hospitals through some sort of program for medicare / medicaid. They gave me a free Medela pump in style which is normally like $200. Also check with your insurance company. They actually might be able to cover the cost of a pump for you.

My friend had blue cross and she got a free pump out of it.

 

[Kiwiberry]

Sorry I edit my posts a lot lol cuz I remember I forgot to say something. So sorry if you missed anything!

 

[DaisyDreamer]

I'm re-reading
The pump I got is Medela, just without the electric component, I have to go in Mon and enroll my baby into the WIC program then I will get the electric pump. But I have the hand pump and bottles and tubes they are just lovely

Thanks for the eating tip that was something I considered as well as hydration. I'm not worth crap for remembering to eat when I need to especially now I need to eat more than when I was preggo

 

[Kiwiberry]

Yay! I am so happy you are getting an electric pump and won't have to worry about the hand one. WIC is nice, but they are off with their nutrition standards just be aware of that lol. The WIC office around here has a really experienced breastfeeding counselor, or w/e she is called. I would check in to that where you are if you have any questions while at the appointment. She might even be able to help you with Zodi's latch if you are interested. You could even visit a lactation consultant, I know the hospital I delivered at had a number you could reach them outside of the hospital.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

I've noticed on the checks their standards are a little wonky. SO much milk not enough fruits and veggies! there is a lactation consultant there and at the office I was eking MW care through. Zodi's GP is in the same office. 'm going to supplement til Tuesday and see how things are going from then on. His latch feels a lot better it's almost like he's not even there sometimes

 

[Kiwiberry]

Thats great that his latch is so good!! What a smart baby!

I know all about supplementing. I had to do it for my preemie after she came home from the NICU. I had to do 3 bottles a day that included bm, formula, and vitamins. I remember at some point she gained enough weight and I was able to EBF her.

You will get more milk than you will ever need from WIC, but only enough to get some bananas, a pack of strawberries, and MAYBE a veggie for an entire month . They are definitely wacko with their standards. Oh and dont even get me started on the baby food. You are pretty much limited to carrots, peas, and squash, with a huge range of fruits. The most basic gerber foods, no pouches or variety of any kind. You would think if they really wanted the babies to eat healthy they would allow a whole assortment of foods.

 

[noon_child]

Not to mention it's a manual pump LOL so tedious

I feel "let-down" sensation often and try to pump when I leak. Should I keep up this pattern?

Yes pump when you leak but also can you put baby to the breast when you leak? We really only leak when our breast are getting engorged (or when something stimulates letdown) and the best thing for you, your baby and your supply is to try to never have full/engorged breasts. Full breasts signal the body to produce milk more slowly (you don't want that) and the longer they stay full the more the fat content gets "stuck" and this will be harder to extract for a baby who is still learning to latch effectively.

How frequently does LO feed atm?

 

[Kiwiberry]

When my milk first started coming in I would leak all the time, even when putting baby to breast every 2-3 hours. Sometimes it does happen and you can't catch it. Like in the middle of the store. Many many things can stimulate it, like hearing a baby cry and it doesnt have to be your own. Or even taking a shower. You do not leak only because your breasts are engorged. Breast pads are a MUST right now mama, so make sure you get some. I enjoyed the cloth ones, but their a little less absorbent then the disposable ones. However, disposables are a little more uncomfortable.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Not to mention it's a manual pump LOL so tedious

I feel "let-down" sensation often and try to pump when I leak. Should I keep up this pattern?

Yes pump when you leak but also can you put baby to the breast when you leak? We really only leak when our breast are getting engorged (or when something stimulates letdown) and the best thing for you, your baby and your supply is to try to never have full/engorged breasts. Full breasts signal the body to produce milk more slowly (you don't want that) and the longer they stay full the more the fat content gets "stuck" and this will be harder to extract for a baby who is still learning to latch effectively.

How frequently does LO feed atm?

LO eats every 2-2.5 hrs. He is especially full and sleepy now that I supplement. I was doing 2 oz of formula and breast milk combo but now he won't even take 1 oz supplement while feeding. Will try to wake him more often to help make up for it

Sometimes he is already latched when I feel the let down sensation and he will just go for it on top of the supplement, but other times he is asleep and kind of a hassle to wake him. Not much of a dream feeder.

SO I usually just pump when my breasts start tingling and burning until they are softer

 

[DaisyDreamer]

When my milk first started coming in I would leak all the time, even when putting baby to breast every 2-3 hours. Sometimes it does happen and you can't catch it. Like in the middle of the store. Many many things can stimulate it, like hearing a baby cry and it doesnt have to be your own. Or even taking a shower. You do not leak only because your breasts are engorged. Breast pads are a MUST right now mama, so make sure you get some. I enjoyed the cloth ones, but their a little less absorbent then the disposable ones. However, disposables are a little more uncomfortable.

Yea I start tingling and leaking just thinking about getting ready to feed him

 

[Kiwiberry]

I will never forget the letdown feeling .

You are doing a great job Mama. If Zodi does not like formula unless he is severely underweight, then I would not force it. My baby absolutely hated formula. She would not drink it unless it was mixed with mostly bm, and even then she got sick of it and would not drink from a bottle anymore. As long as he is gaining at least 1/2 oz a day then that is really good. At least that is what I was always told with my preemie. Zodi just loves his mommy's milk thats all!

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Yeah I think he knows what we're up to... We are using a syringe and tube to avoid NC and he has been spitting up quite a lot more frequently

he is definitely less irritable these past few days, I don't think I will try to force him to eat too much. But if I can't get any BM between feedings I use formula.

He wet like 6 diapers in less than an hour! I think he's getting enough supplement..........

 

[noon_child]

LO eats every 2-2.5 hrs. He is especially full and sleepy now that I supplement. I was doing 2 oz of formula and breast milk combo but now he won't even take 1 oz supplement while feeding. Will try to wake him more often to help make up for it

Sounds like he's already getting more from you than he was before. If you aren't needing to supplement 2oz anymore then don't force it. I assume your aim is to reduce the supplement and get back to exclusive breastfeeding anyway, so if he's refusing the second ounce then I'd be inclined to follow his lead. You don't want him too full and sleepy if you are trying to up your supply, but 2-2.5hrs between feeds seems fine.