I just had a baby on Fri. and it is now Mon. I am pumping my milk w/ a medela dbl. elec. breast pump, every 3 hours, and at least once at night. I am trying to get my baby to latch on but she has not gotten the hang of it yet. I am taking Fenugreek 2 pills, 3 times daily. I understand my mature milk has not come in yet, but I am wondering if I am getting a normal amount of the “transitional” milk. When I pump every 3 hours, I get between 2-3 ounces (total) Is this a normal amount ? The lactation consultant at the hospital told me that as long as I was pumping every 3 hours, and once at night that it would not matter if I didn’t put the baby to my breast, that I would get my milk in as much as I would if putting the baby to my breast. I read in a book that if I only pumped & did not put the baby to my breast that my milk would eventually dry up. Which is true? How long will it take for my mature milk to come in & can I expect to get more mature milk than the transitional milk?
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Ok – here goes. 2-3 oz every 3 hours isn’t bad at this point. Actually, it’s pretty good imo. I would definitely keep trying to get your baby to latch at each feeding, then pump if it doesn’t happen. It is much easier to get a baby to breastfeed when they are younger and not used to bottles.
What you are currently doing is called Exclusive Pumping. Some people will tell you that it’s impossible and your milk will dry up (like that book you read). While this is true for some women (they don’t respond well to the pump), it is doable for most women. It is, however, much more work than breastfeeding. I breastfed/pumped for 2 months, then EP’ed for 7 additional months (baby wouldn’t latch at all anymore). So, I am familiar with both & heartily recommend seeing another lactation consultant to help you work on your latch. If it doesn’t work out, however, here is what I recommend for EP’ing moms:
For the first 2-3 months or so, pump 8-10x a day. Don’t go more than 4 hours without pumping, even at night. Yeah, it sucks. But, right now you’re establishing your supply and it is very important to pump/feed often.
After 2-3 months, you can probably drop to 6-7 pumps/day. I had a great schedule with pumping at 6AM, 10:30AM, 1:30PM, 4:30PM, 8PM, and 1AM.
After 3-4 months, if you have more than enough milk, you can try to drop the middle-of-the-night pump. Expect a supply drop. At first, you’ll get more milk with your first morning pump, and that’ll help make up for the middle-of-the-night pump, but after a week or two your overall supply will drop some. If it drops too much, simply add the night-time pump back in and try again in a month or so.
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Congratulations!!
2-3 oz sounds normal at this time. Your milk should come in today or tomorrow. The volume will increase, but you will never pump as much as the baby would get nursing; babies are much more efficient than a pump. This is probably what the book was referring to – eventually production decreases because the pump doesn’t ‘demand’ enough.
If she is not latching you should check to see if there is a problem like inverted nipples or tied tongue. The lactation consultant should have given you suggestions as to different holds to try and ways to support the breast that will help the baby latch (i.e. “hold the breast like a sandwich” or support it from beneath). Call back and ask again for help – they’re usually really happy to help.Keep putting her to the breast even if she’s not latching, and try to get good skin to skin contact. This stimulates your brain chemicals to let down the milk and produce as well, even if she’s not eating. Then pump.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Women who have put their babies up for adoption and have never had a baby nursing or pumping still have their milk come in. One way to think about this could be to not be worried about how much you are pumping now, but about getting your baby to latch well.
Yes, if you plan on exclusively pumping rather than physically nursing it is possible that you will dry up. Until your milk comes in, though, you should be fine, which may be what the nurse meant. Yes, almost always you will produce more milk than colostrum. That is why you don’t become engorged with colostrum, but you do with milk. Hopefully that makes sense and helps. Keep working on your latch with your baby and let her practice often, maybe every hour or so. It probably is best if she learns how to latch and suck effectively now rather than when she is getting a mouth full of milk.
December 24th, 2009 at 6:47 am
What you read is true. If you NEVER put your baby on the breast for as long as you want to be breastfeeding, then yes.. you will get less and less milk and eventually dry up.
I can’t believe a lactation consultant would tell you that. Unless she only meant for you to pump and not put the baby on the breast until you get your milk. And then at that time you stop pumping. But still… that’s still bad advice. Baby’s sucking stimulates milk production. And though medela is pretty good at simulating a baby’s suckling, it’s still not as good as a real baby.
If I were you, I would look for another lactation consultant and one that would help you to get your baby latched on.
Why are you taking fenugreek? If you only gave birth on Friday, and it’s only Monday.. it’s only been 3 days. Fenugreek is usually to increase milk supply. Your milk isn’t probably in just yet. WIth my first, it took 10 days for my milk to come. With my 2nd, it took 4 days. Also, please be aware that for some babies, Fenugreek upsets their stomach (causing cramping and diarrhea).
You should have milk now. If you pump and there is milk, then you have milk. Please work on latching your baby on.
December 24th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I’m very surprised a lactation consultant told you that.
I’m thinking maybe this was a nurse at the hospital trying to help, not a qualified lactation consultant….?
Your milk will come in by pumping, yes.
BUT, its very important right now that you are frequently putting baby to breast, your baby needs to learn how to latch as soon as possible.
Before you pump each time, try him/her on your breast, try different positions, make sure there are no distractions, whatever you need to do to help your baby latch.
These might help —http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/how…http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/how…
December 24th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Speaking from my own experience, you need to give your milk a little more time. Mine took about 5 days to come in.. my breasts also became fully engorged when it came in. I tried to pump also because my son had a latch problem, with 2-3 oz. also pumping out.. that amount is good. The lactation consultant I worked with said to keep feeding my son as often as possible and pumping is NOT necessary. Work with the latch, make sure your baby comes at the breast from underneath. I know it’s easier said that done.. here are some very helpful videos by Jack Newman (love the guy) and also a breastfeeding common myths document:
scroll down for videos:http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/newma…http://www.co.eau-claire.wi.us/Health/PD…
Hope this helps.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Was this a ‘lactation consultant,’ nurse calling herself such, or a board-certified ‘lactation consultant,’ an ‘IBCLC’?
Loads of breastfeeding problems and bad info show up on here that have their origins with the former…
And loads of women who pump exclusively do find themselves drying up eventually. :-/
See if you can’t get some _good_ help to get baby on the breast:
“How can you find a lactation consultant?”http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bbrea…
La Leche League — will help in person, for free:http://llli.org/
And, to answer just about all your questions:http://www.kellymom.com/
December 24th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I don;t know what “experts” say.
I personally pumped for 6 months straight.
I pumped for the 2 months my son was in the hospital NICU.
He had a lot of trouble learning to suck. Once he was on the bottle (of breastmilk) I did not want to put him to breast.
It was a long ardous process but yes I did pump and exclusivly feed my son breastmilk by bottle for 6 months.
Good Luck whatever you choose.
December 25th, 2009 at 1:34 am
The amount that you are getting is perfect but until the baby figures out how to latch on, you need to pump at night every 2 or 3 hours as well. Try to get the baby to latch by squishing your nipple and areola like a hamburger into your babies mouth. Try to squeeze out a little milk onto your nipple area first. What kind of bottle are you using? I reccomend the playtex ventair wide..most like breast, and if you are using a pacifier, use the gerber natural flex.
December 25th, 2009 at 8:04 am
My personal experience (breatsfed 3 kiddos) ~
My milk (mature milk) for the last one took about 6 days to come it….I was worried, but it did come in. FOr the others, it came in around the 3rd-5th day. Just remember to stay well hydrated.
I also pumped (once the real milk came in) from time to time due to convenience and comfort. I agree with your book. The baby seemed to do a better job at triggering my milk production. In fact, when I weaned, I took her off the breast completely, and just pumped until I dried up – which took about a week. Good luck to you and congrats