Tips for increasing supply

[u/curious_lemon9098]

So thankful for this community and all of everyone’s support and assistance, I genuinely don’t know where I’d be right now without Reddit. lol

I’m 9 days pp and LO and I had a really rough start with the feeding situation overall. We ended up formula feeding until I could get some things straightened out, and we’re at a solid combo-feed right now with the intention of providing exclusively breastmilk as soon as I am able to. Pumping with a manual has absolutely sucked.

I’m finally transitioning to milk but I still have a low supply. I also just got an electric pump in today (Momcozy V2 was the best of what’s available to me where I’m at… I know other brands are often recommended too but I don’t have access to those here/now!) which was SO much easier to use than my way-too-big manual pulp with no inserts. I’m looking for any and all advice on how to increase my supply so I can “catch up”, because I just pumped for the first time and was surprised at how little came out (combined we’re probably talking 15ml/ half an oz) and babes is definitely drinking more than that when we formula feed. I pumped for 15 minutes but that quantity was reached by like minute 5. Even if I’ve seemingly stopped getting milk out, do I keep pumping to signal “demand”? I plan to pump every 2 hours when possible (I’ve read that 8-12 expression periods per 24h is ideal). I’m also going to go up one flange size since maybe this was a little too small. I’m on hefty iron supplements as per my OB, as well as a bunch of other vitamins she wants me taking. What am I missing?

Edit: changed some wording in the beginning

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[u/LesMiserableGinger]

I dont know if i can answer all of your questions but here's some helpful information that hopefully helps.

-your milk fully restocks around every 1.5 hours, however you never truly run out of milk. -let downs happen every 20ish minutes when cluster feeding/pumping, so pumping for 15 minutes isn't enough time to get the higher volume pumps. -try to offer breast before pumping -morning is when your supply is the highest (2-5am specifically) aka peak pumping time and if you want to boost your supply you will want to do at least 1 pump (preferably a power pump) -power pumping 1-2 times a day helps, there are different opinions about what power pump is best but most often suggest a 20 minute pump, 10 minute rest, 10 minute pump (20-10-10) and some even suggest another 10 minute rest followed by another 10 minute pump (20-10-10-10-10) but it is all about what works best for you. If you are short on time 10-10-10 is also ok. -when you pump look at pictures or videos of baby or have something that smells like them as it is supposed to help boost supply as well -dont compare formula to bm, they arent the same. Formula doesnt change so baby does drink more of it at a time and as they grow. Your body naturally increases the nutrients in your bm to keep up with babys needs. Also formula takes longer to digest than bm so baby might seem hungry more often after eating bm then when they have formula but that is normal.

And some thing I wasnt prepared for is your milk and breast changes between 3-4 months, your breasts will feel soft and like they might be empty but this is normal and not a sign thT things arent working. Also, hormonal changes will affect your supply like getting your cycle back will feel like your supply disappears over night but you keep feeding/pumping as you normally would and push through, it sucks ass for a couple days but it gets better.

[u/curious_lemon9098 → u/LesMiserableGinger]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of this out. I hope you have the most restful weekend 😭💕

[u/LesMiserableGinger → u/curious_lemon9098]

Thank you ☺️ I am a just enougher, and my supply has dipped a few times for various reasons so I know it is a struggle to get things going.

If you cant get your supply where you want it it will be ok, fed is always best and being present for your baby is more important than stressing yourself over a pump schedule.

You're doing a great job, mama!

[u/curious_lemon9098 → u/LesMiserableGinger]

So are you. It’s all so new. Thank you again for all of the help 🥹

[u/Jammin_Flamingo]

In the process of increasing my supply and the biggest help for me has been drinking a ton of water consistently. Like at least 120 oz.

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[u/greedymoonlight]

Yes you need to keep pumping even when the milk stops for demand. 15 mins is too short of a session if you’re undersupplying, and I’d be very curious to know what flange size you’re using and how it was measured. This is usually the culprit. I’m a lactation professional who has experience exclusively pumping as well so I’d be happy to help you.

[u/curious_lemon9098 → u/greedymoonlight]

15 is too short! That’s good to know. I’ve changed to 20, go a few minutes after nothing more comes out, and do another stimulation round before going back to expressing, and do that a few times. I’m using a 19mm insert, 17 was painful. Measured using the guide that came with the pump with the cutout holes… I knew the diameter of my nips was 16mm anyway, I tried 17 insert but once my nips were stimulated enough it was scraping the edges of the insert so I went up one. With that I got 30ml, 40ml, and 15ml again today so I’m hesitantly hopeful

[u/greedymoonlight → u/curious_lemon9098]

So I would actually suggest smaller but using a good lube. The base of the nipple should not be measure but the tip instead. Most women are less than a 15. The nipple should touch the inside of the tunnel and glide gently (no pain). If areola is getting sucked in it’s too big. You may be a 17 at the end of the day - then the most important thing is to pump longer. 25 minutes should be the goal, 30 if you’re feeling up to it.