How soon to start pumping after birth?

[Itsychik]

So with my DS I had a low supply that nothing was able to fix (to keep a long story short). We ultimately ended up combi-feeding until my supply just stopped when DS was 8 months old.

I'm expecting #2 next month and am really concerned about having a low supply again. I've been thinking back to the beginning days when I was first bf'ing DS, and thinking that maybe part of the problem was that my breasts weren't being 'emptied' in the beginning that prevented the stimulation of more milk production (which I then never recovered from).

So to prevent that, I'm thinking that this time I should start pumping almost straight away. So if the new LO feeds from the right, for example, that I should also pump the left afterwards to stimulate both breasts at each feed.

Has anyone tried this or have any helpful insight? I really want to EBF and want to try anything to increase production this time around! (and last time we tried just about everything, trust me!)

All advice appreciated

 

[Celesse]

You could technically start straight away..... well once you leave the labour ward.

I think until your milk comes in you'd be best off trying to hand express after a feed, or it could be a bit painful.

I've had low supply in the early days with both of mine. Were you prescribed domperidone last time? I've needed it for that kick both times and I've hidden a supply away ready for this time in case I need it.

 

[missbabes]

You risk getting over supply if you start pumping as soon as your milk comes in, which can also cause problems.

I ended up pumping at 6 days pp as DS was having latch issues from the minute he was born, and my boobs were incredibly hot and swollen. I've been pumping ever since. I did ask about pumping before my milk came in, but was told that it wouldn't help.

 

[sunnylove]

Babies empty the breast better than pumps do. You don't want to create an oversupply by pumping while your baby is also feeding. I would feed on demand and the baby should be able to establish a good supply. Each pregnancy is different so don't think that your supply will be low this time around.

 

[rachelleigh]

I started pumping two days pp after hand expressing the first two days (LO had a poor latch). I pumped colostrum with no issues until my milk came in. I was pumping after every feed. I'm still pumping 8+ times a day and have an oversupply-- freezer is starting to get full! We are still struggling with bf-- tongue tie that was clipped, poor sucking reflex, now a bottle preference... Just started seeing an occupational therapist feeding specialist to try to get back on track. I'm so grateful for the nurse that told me to go get a pump the night we took LO home and to start pumping right away. He's only had about an ounce of formula in the LC office one time thanks to all the pumping.

 

[mummytobe_93]

I used my pump from 1 day pp my milk came in on day 2 and I had lots of it, not sure if this had anything to do with pump though!

 

[Celesse]

Speaking as someone who, like the OP, had supply issues in the early days I very much doubt I could ever possibly have an over supply! I pumped and pumped and fed and fed and still it took a long time to get enough of a supply to feed my baby.

 

[Itsychik]

Thanks for the advice ladies!!

Speaking as someone who, like the OP, had supply issues in the early days I very much doubt I could ever possibly have an over supply! I pumped and pumped and fed and fed and still it took a long time to get enough of a supply to feed my baby.

It's great to hear from someone else who also struggled with a low supply

I feel the same way! I just can't imagine having an over supply (and maybe it's a little naive, but I think I'd rather have an oversupply than under supply)

Regarding suggestions:

Actually, domperidone was literally the only thing we didn't try (my doctor at the time was unwilling to prescribe it) but at the suggestion of my mw and a LC I took dozens of herbal supplements (fenugreek, blessed thistle, etc, in both pill and tea form), pumping regimine, medela SNS, on demand followed by pumping, "nursing vacations" (2-3 days of near constant skin-to-skin and nursing), dietary changes/additions (oats, yeast, etc). Had latch checked, no tongue or lip tie, etc. I started pumping in the hospital because my DS was on the neonatal unit for the first day (took milk 5 days to come in regardless). And the first couple days after milk came in seemed to go well, but then DS started feeding every hour (and each feed took 45 min, so barely any time in between) and started losing weight. After 3 weeks (and constant pressure from HV to supplement) we started combi-feeding, which posed a whole new set of problems...

I guess what I'm worried about is that while I logically know I may not have a low supply this time, I'm afraid to not do anything to try and prevent it only to have it be "too late" after the first few weeks if my supply doesn't increase, like last time. And this time I have a toddler as well so won't be able to hide in my room an entire day and just nurse the baby...

Thanks for all of the replies ladies

 

[Celesse]

It really does sound like you did a lot of what you could to get your supply up. Its a shame your doctor wouldn't prescribe domperidone as it can be very effective.

Do you have access to a Lactation Consultant before birth? I'm planning on going along to my local breastfeeding support group and having an action plan in place prior to the birth just in case. Hopefully it can go in my hospital notes just like a birth plan would. So far I've decided that I want to have a 3-5 day stay in hospital so I'm away from any responsibilities other than feeding baby (the 4yr old, 2yr old and 32yr old at home will just get in the way I'm sure!).

Did you have any issues with the birth? I had a c-section with my first and a PPH with my second, both of which can effect milk supply coming in. DD was a complete non latcher and DS got poorly and couldn't latch. So I had "reasons" each time why I ended up with low supply but I think some people are just much more vulnerable to low supply than others. Also I never leak and rarely feel let down, which is just like my sister who had much more straight forward births and non of the feeding issues. So I wonder if maybe my boobs need everything is perfect to be able to make enough milk or if they will always have supply issues in the beginning.

 

[DollPosse]

I did it right away. Both my children had feeding issues at the beginning, so many feeds were via bottle or tube.

 

[susannah14]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about causing an oversupply. That has its own problems, yes, but it's easier to recover from than low supply, IMO. If you have reason to believe you are prone to low supply, then the risk of oversupply from pumping could be lower.

I think your idea of pumping the opposite breast is a good one! I started pumping 2 days after birth, at first getting small amounts. I occasionally pumped until 6 weeks, when I pumped almost full-time because I went back to work. I never had any oversupply at all. I had a really healthy, good milk supply, and was able to donate over 4,000 oz of freezer stash, without having any of the downsides of real oversupply (foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, clogged ducts, etc).

If you think you might be starting to get oversupply then back off on the pumping. Simple as that.

 

[Itsychik]

It really does sound like you did a lot of what you could to get your supply up. Its a shame your doctor wouldn't prescribe domperidone as it can be very effective.

Do you have access to a Lactation Consultant before birth? I'm planning on going along to my local breastfeeding support group and having an action plan in place prior to the birth just in case. Hopefully it can go in my hospital notes just like a birth plan would. So far I've decided that I want to have a 3-5 day stay in hospital so I'm away from any responsibilities other than feeding baby (the 4yr old, 2yr old and 32yr old at home will just get in the way I'm sure!).

Did you have any issues with the birth? I had a c-section with my first and a PPH with my second, both of which can effect milk supply coming in. DD was a complete non latcher and DS got poorly and couldn't latch. So I had "reasons" each time why I ended up with low supply but I think some people are just much more vulnerable to low supply than others. Also I never leak and rarely feel let down, which is just like my sister who had much more straight forward births and non of the feeding issues. So I wonder if maybe my boobs need everything is perfect to be able to make enough milk or if they will always have supply issues in the beginning.

One of the midwives at the practice I go to just became a certified LC last year, so I've been talking with her a LOT (nearly every appointment) about my concerns and about being proactive.

And same as you, I had a c-section with my first (at the hospital they also warned me this could contribute to the delayed milk) but I leaked ALL the time and had a strong let down, and DS latched like a champ... which frustrated me even more as I just didn't understand what the problem was!

I'm desperately hoping for a VBAC this time and hoping that will help supply come in soon and better at the beginning.

Did your supply eventually increase though? How awesome that you've been able to nurse/tandem nurse for so long!

 

[Celesse]

With DD it took until she was 12 weeks before I was making enough and she was able to get enough for her to gain weight without 2 bottles a day.

Due to DS and then me being ill post natal he was almost exclusively bottle fed (mostly EBM) at 4 weeks, but exclusive by 8 weeks. I weaned very slowly from domperidome with DS after he was exclusively BFing. If I hadn't got ill and readmitted to hospital at 3 week PP I reckon it would have been a lot quicker.

So all in all it didn't take that long for my supply to increase compared to how long I went on to feed for. But both times I was at the stage were professionals were recommending the switch to bottles and formula and giving me the "some women just don't make enough milk" speech.