Can Elvie increase my supply when baby is five months

[theotherfossilsister]

My baby is combi fed, some breastfeeding, mainly formula and some ebm from a Medela. He was born premature and I was desperate to breastfeed, the little bit we manage now is so precious.

My ebm has really dropped though, partly as I have so little time so have only been pumping once a day, and often have to beg dp to take him for that time. Asa result I think my letdown is slower and milk is drying up.

I'm getting a double hands free Elvie from a fellow mumsnetter, who is really nice, and I'm so excited, but wondering if realistically it will get my milk supply back up.

There's so much I can't do because my pumping time is currently my only downtime, so I can't pump and do something else as dp won't help out for that long.

Hi I was an exclusive pumper too… a tough experience as you’ll know! I did it for one year.

The Elvie is a powerful pump and using it regularly should increase your supply… the key is regular use though so if you are able to fit in more pumps you should see an increased output.

if you can, start doing an early morning pump as that’s a great time of the day for prolactin and pumping will tell your body to make more.

good luck

My DS is 14 months now, but I had him at 34 weeks after a shit show of a pregnancy and delivery and a 2 week stint in NICU. Having a premature baby is hard, and I remember being envious of other mums being able to get on with their maternity leave without much bother whereas I really struggled. I mean this is the nicest possible way but how your DC is fed doesn't matter. What matters is how you love them and spend time with them.

Wherever your feeding journey takes you, you're a brilliant mum regardless of what happens x

Thank you both

Yeah it is was so hard when he was premature and Ng fed. I'd love to give him a little bit if breast milk until he's one. I'm actually finding the bit if breastfeeding we do harder now too as I'm used to rugby hold and he's getting a bit big for it (delighted he's getting big though, and he's only second centile so not that big.)

I'm going to see what happens if I use elvie three times a day

I wouldn’t use an Elvie for this. They’re not powerful enough. Elvie themselves say they shouldn’t be used as a sole pump and they’re unlikely to empty your boobs fully.

I was stubborn and insisted on using mine for ages as they’d cost so much; but as soon as I used a hospital pump, it went loads better. I’d get a Medala Swing or similar.

I only managed 12 weeks of breastfeeding but even I found the rugby hold extremely uncomfortable even when my DS was small.

My DS was NG tube fed most of the time with a mix of formula and breastmilk when in NICU too.

It sounds like you need support in finding a different breastfeeding position, doing anything while you are comfortable makes a massive difference. I remember when I was still breastfeeding, trying to fit it in, then top up with formula then pumping was incredibly hard. I think you are brilliant anyway xx

Thank you @MDevane86

It would break my heart to give up now but I'm getting less and less on my Medela freestyle. I also have an ardo I borrowed from the health visitor but it doesn't seem that good