Can't seem to get more than 15 ounces a day how do I increase my milk if I'm exclusively pumping?
Hi Kimberly, thanks for asking! Try these tips to pump more:
Make sure you're pumping 15 to 20 minutes a time
Pump at least 8 times a day
Gentle massage while pumping
After pumping, hand express for 3 to 4 minutes to more milk out. This step is *really* important.
Add in a pumping and/ or increase the time (more pumping = more milk!)
Eat plenty of high quality calories and drink to thirst
You can try supplements like fenugreek and mother's milk tea, these might help you.
But they will be a lot more effective if you also pump more and hand express!
I hope this helps!
Beth
How often do cluster feeds typically happen?
Hi Rory, thank you for asking! Cluster feeding is very common, and is expected to last several days, at least until the milk is in and sometimes beyond. Cluster feeding typically happens in the evening to nighttime hours, usually every day. Hope this helps!
Beth
Hi Maegan, are you asking how to decrease your milk supply? If so, try block feeding. This is where you will feed your baby on one side only for a block of 4 hours at a time, so that during that time, the other side does not get fed. At the end of the 4 hour block, switch sides. Hand express only if the unused breast is getting so full that it's getting hard and painful, then hand express until it's soft. Use ice packs and/ or cabbage leaves to reduce inflammation. Over time, the breasts start to reduce the production of milk because full breasts don't make milk as much as empty breasts do. Hope this helps!
Beth
Okay so what do I do if my baby only likes and is drinking from my left boob? It seems like he doesn’t like the right side. He was drinking from it but these past two days he has stopped. Idk if that boob is producing way too much or he doesn’t like the flow. I have tried pumping 1oz then putting him on to feed but he still doesn’t like it. What should I do about the right boob
Hi Maegan, I'm not sure why she would only take one side, it could be because she likes the position of the other side better, it could be because of the milk flow, or it could be the nipple shape. Start by trying a different position and see if that helps!
Beth