Please help me increase my supply!

[Madratlady]

I'm expressing for ds and have been mix feeding as I have been struggling to express often enough whilst looking after a baby who doesn't really like being put down for more than 5 minutes. I was expressing 6 hourly and getting about 6oz each time which was ok and made up 2/3 of his feeds. When ds started sleeping through the night I tried to drop the night time expressing session and pump 4 hourly during the day. I've noticed a massive drop in supply though, and ds's appetite has increased as he's recently had a growth spurt. I'm now pumping minimum of 4 hourly day and night and taking fenugreek. Is there anything else I can do? I got less than 3oz last time I pumped.

[tiktok]

madrat you have had a struggle.

It's not surprising you have found a drop in the amount you get. Long gaps between feeding/expressing reduce the milk. Overnight without expressing has done this. To build up and maintain a supply you need to avoid long gaps and to aim for at least six or eight sessions in 24 hours.

It's hard but that's how it works. If you have now changed back to overnight expressing as well you will see an improvement as the days go on. So if you can keep this up and more, you will resolve it.

[Madratlady]

Thanks tiktok I'm expressing 6 times a day and trying to work everything around my expressing schedule this week so I don't miss a pumping session.

[Superworm]

Wow well done for continuing.

I'm guessing you have tried RL support to help you? The only way to increase supply really is to stimulate the breast more. Sounds like you are going a wonderful job.

[Madratlady]

I'm not seeing an improvement yet. I will keep going though. I'm just feeling really down tonight. First I failed to bf ds and now I can't even produce a decent amount of milk for him.

Amd I'm going out on Saturday for dh's birthday. We could be out for 8 hours or so and I don't know what to do about expressing then. I could sit in the car for a bit but we're going to the cinema and bowling and for a meal, all things wherw popping out for 20 mins will inconvenience others.

[PeaceLillyDoge]

Could you try some skin to skin today to try and encourage your supply?

I heard that oats help supply (no idea if this is true) so I've been eating a big bowl of porridge everyday to try and encourage my supply. Can't hurt to try although I highly suspect that increasing your pumping/bf frequency and skin to skin would be most effective.

Good luck, you're not alone with this, is hard work.