Help maintaining supply whilst pumping

[SeatOfMyPants]

DD is nearly 1. I’m away for 5 days, this is Day 4 and I will see her on Thursday.

I couldn’t pump enough at work to build her a stash in freezer (plus she was going to grandparents so impractical). So she is ff this week for the first time.

I really want to maintain my supply but I feel it is slipping away. I’d normally pump 5oz at lunch at work, which I save for her next day, but I barely managed 3 today after 1h 30 mins. I also feed her before bedtime and pump afterwards - I usually get about 1-2oz. But in just a few days I’m barely making 1oz at the time I’d normally be feeding her and half an oz when I’d normally be pumping.
I can only pump 4 times - I could potentially try a bit more tomorrow.

I really don’t want to give up breastfeeding but I feel it’s happening without me knowing what to do. What do I do! Totally in a panic about it (plus I really miss her so it’s a really emotional time)

I’d really appreciate any advice

Could you try some calcium and magnesium supplements? I know it's a MASSIVE inconvenience, but could you try pumping in the night when prolactin levels peak to boost your supply? If you can get to bed an hour or so earlier so you're not losing out on too much sleep? It's bloody hard pumping at work - I've been back for just over a month, so fully appreciate the struggle! Hope you can resolve it!

Also, pumping doesn't get it all out, so if you can hand express the rest off after, that'll keep it from dropping!

Don't get too hung up on the amount you're able to pump, OP. As your DD is nearly 1, she's presumably eating lots of solids? She'll be getting her calcium, protein etc from other sources and the breastfeeding is a nice bonus. So I think it doesn't matter if your supply drops a bit. It may recover when you see her and breastfeed again, or it may not, but at least she's not relying on it if not.

Incidentally, is there a reason why you gave her formula in the absence of breast milk? Personally I'd have just given her cow's milk as she's nearly 1.

Don't worry OP. Not much longer to wait!

Thanks!
I guess I have to recognise it might not work out. And she’s a good eater, so us getting what she needs elsewhere too. Pumping at nights a good idea but seriously in need of sleep...she may also not want to bf when I get back.
I did try cows milk but she was getting really phlegmy on it (could have been exacerbating a cold, but she seemed to do better on ff. I’m going to switch her back if I can. Can’t deal with the expense!

Pumps are always less effective than babies. If you still have milk that's a good sign. Do what you can and if your daughter wants, you can continue BF.

I was away for work from mine at 11 months, I did leave enough milk for her while I was gone but my supply did dwindle. However we picked up as normal on my return and continued until 16 months.