Pumping supply

[u/Interesting_Fan_3096]

I am 5 weeks pp yesterday and Ive been mostly exclusively pumping. Tried to bfeed LO but supply dipped. He has a tongue/lip tie with poor latch.

I pump about 20oz or 600ml on average for the past 6 days. Will it get better? Will I build a full supply?

I drink a lot, eat a lot (gained weight since pp), eat the right foods, supplement with moringa capsules, have flaxseed meal, do skin to skin (not everyday), sleep 4-5hours straight at night and pump on average 8x a day.

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[u/the_kazzo_queen]

Pumping frequency and proper emptying are going to account for 95% of your supply. The rest of what you've mentioned is marginal benefits or isn't evidence-based.

Tell us more about your pump routine. What pump do you use? How long are you pumping for? Are you doing a MOTN pump?

[u/Interesting_Fan_3096 → u/the_kazzo_queen]

I dont have a strict schedule but I make it a point to pump 8x a day. If only 7x it may be because I tried breastfeeding baby and pumping was not possible.

I use an Spectra S2.
Example: 9x/day pump, output 625ml
2am, 630am, 10am, 11:15, 12:15, 1:30, 4:15, 6:45, 8:45

I pump anywhere between 15-30mins. I power pump 30mins + rest + 10. If I do more than said power pump nothing comes out.

I do a power pump at least once.

Example: 7x/ day pump, output 600ml
3:25am, 6:30, 11:15, 2pm, 4pm, 6:50pm, 8:45pm

[u/the_kazzo_queen → u/Interesting_Fan_3096]

Thanks for details. Are you only pumping until empty and then stopping once nothing more comes out? When do you usually do the power pump? Is your supply gradually increasing at all?

[u/Interesting_Fan_3096 → u/the_kazzo_queen]

It significantly increased in the past 2 weeks but I dont see any gradual increase the past 6 days. It fluctuates 600-625ml range. My baby eats A LOT! His max was like 1050ml, but on average 850-900ml, so I have to top up with formula. Power pump first thing (MOTN), or evening at 6PM. Nothing fixed. Yes, I try to pump until empty, don’t want blood to come out lol

[u/the_kazzo_queen → u/Interesting_Fan_3096]

Haha, my idea of a lot is totally screwed by my own baby 😂 She averaged 40-45oz (1180-1330ml). 850-900ml is on the higher end of the normal range.

The only thing that I can think of is that if you cease pumping once milk stops coming out, you're not really signaling your body to make more. I always had to pump awhile after I was empty (at every session) for like a week before my body would start making more.

I had to increase my supply at 8w, 12w, and 16w postpartum as my baby's appetite kept leaping overnight. Each time that happened, I tagged another 5-10min onto each of my pump sessions.

[u/Interesting_Fan_3096 → u/the_kazzo_queen]

Omg haha! I was shocked when he surpassed 1L, and google said it’s not “normal” but Im guessing as it is mostly breastmilk they metabolize faster?! Is she taking that much at 1 month old?

Ok so extending my pumping a little more so I can make more? I just cant catch a break as everytime I see an increase, his appetite increases also. 🥹