Boosting milk supply

[hayesgirl]

I have also posted this in the multiples forum but thought I might get some input here.

I have 3week old twins. In hospital I tried breastfeeding but for a number if reasons decided instead to give them bottles of expressed breast milk. Everything was going well until the weekend when they hit a growth spurt and became impossible to fill! Over the course of 12 hours they used up all the milk stores I had in the freezer and we're then drinking what I was expressing that evening. Since this growth spurt their daily intake has literally doubled and I am nearly keeping up with them. They have had the occasional formula too up feed.

Whilst I am completely fine with giving them formula and have no problem with stopping the breast milk or combination feeding, and most certainly am not going to stress about it, I would prefer to be able to give them breast milk for at least the next 3 weeks so they get the full benefit of it.

I am expressing every 3 hours day and night but if anything my supply is dwindling rather than getting stronger. Does anyone have any tips for increasing milk supply by expressing?

I think expressing in the early hours of the morning is important as this is the best time for the hormones to trigger milk production. With DS1 I used to express after every time he fed and made sure there was always one pump somewhere around 2am I think. Managed to get 20 litres in the freezer within about three months, for when I went back to work. Then DH switched the freezer off while we were on holiday . There are no words to describe how I felt when I opened that freezer and saw what had happened to my hours and hours of effort. Oh the smell . Never bothered expressing again after that!

If you haven't already, have a read on KellyMom as it's got loads of useful info.

I was only feeding the one baby but I found nursing tea to really help
Someone gave me a few bags when i complained of feeling 'empty' (I probably wasn't)
It was Neuners tea, and I managed to get some on amazon.
It made me smell like curry though!

Fenugreek tablets from H&B. The mw told me to take them with DS to boost my milk supply.

OP - post this in Breast and Bottle Feeding. Proper experts there, plus experienced pumpers.

Hi, I've been exclusively pumping for my daughter since birth (now 7.5 months) and I worked really hard at the beginning to get a good supply. These are the things I have found work best...

Fenugreek tablets - you can get them in Holland and barrett, but I got mine from Amazon. A bigger bottle at about 2/3 of the price. Take 3 tablets, 3 times a day. It sounds like a lot, but you need to be taking a high dose. You might notice your sweat starts to smell a bit strange. Either a sweet curry smell, or a maple syrupy smell. This is normal!

Drinking lots of water. Keep well hydrated.

"Power pumping". This mimics cluster feeding. You have an hour, where you pump for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, pump for 10 minutes, etc. I have found this really effective. Try and do it once a day.

Make sure you pump at least once in the middle of the night. Milk production is at its highest between 1am and 5am, so try and pump once between these times.

Eat lots of oats, porridge etc. Something in it boosts milk supply.

What sort of a pump you are using? I use a double electric pump, and it is a god send. Invest in a good pump if you can.

Massage your breasts as you pump, really give them a good old squeeze, and when you have finished with your pump, try and hand express to get anything extra out. I often find I can get a few more mls out by hand.

Good luck, message me if you have any questions!

Thanks everyone. I have been pumping at least twice between midnight and 6am. Around 2/3am i get around 10 - 12 oz (previously up to 15oz) whereas the rest of the day I am currently lucky if I get 6-8oz which has reduced from 10oz previously. Babies are currently on 4oz feeds every 3 hours!

I will try the fenugreek tablets and the clustering lozzapops suggested and see how I get on!

Leaving the pump on the boob even if dry will increase supply, it will tell the brain you need to make more milk . Time consuming I know but it does work x

Only thing I have to add is that fenugreek the herb is cheaper than the tablets I take half a teaspoon with cordial three times a day ... As the trick is to take enough to smell of it you can figure out if you are taking enough fairly easily I did find it made baby windy tho retried it again now she is older and doesn't have that effect.