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Author
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Topic: Mother's who breasfeed and work - Your Help Appreciated! :)
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ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 96
From: Maine
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted November 06, 2009 03:34 PM
 
Hello, ladies! I am wondering if you have any tips on upping milk production. I have been back to work full time for a month now and am hoping to continue breastfeeding as long as my body will cooperate. I have a hospital-grade pump, which is what I've been told will make the difference in my keeping up with my girl's needs. Lately I've noticed that each time I pump I am getting less and less. On the weekends and any time I am with my child, I nurse her. She takes four bottles of breastmilk to day care with her each day, but even making enough for these is proving difficult now. I am so sad to think of not being able to carry on nursing because I have to work full time. Are there any suggestions you have to help increase my milk production so I can keep it up? Any help is sooo appreciated! I feel like I am doing something really great for her by nursing, and we also have a very strong bond already from the nursing time we have now, I would be crushed if it couldn't continue. Thank you in advance!! IP: Logged |
SunChild
Moderator Posts: 513
From: Melbourne. Victoria. Australia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted November 06, 2009 03:59 PM
Pumping reduces the amount of breast milk for a lot of mothers, simply, the best milk producer is breast feeding, there's really no fix on this problem since mother and baby are in "sync" and mothers produce what babies need, but when things get interrupted or there's interference it can alter everything. I failed at successful breast feeding, even though I was home with her, you are doing a really great job so far as it sounds. Since you are working full time it's quite common that breast feeding will not continue as milk production wanes. The only other thing is pump MORE, you may need to pump more regularly to signal more milk being needed for production-- because the hormones that are released by your babies suckling are stronger than the hormones produces by only pumping.
You can tweak your diet and do external things to increase supply, I found eating an increase in raw fruits and vegetables (watery foods) and dark beer if you finding it really hard one day, only small amounts for obvious reasons). Breast feeding is really beautiful, soak up every minute of it!  IP: Logged |
ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 96
From: Maine
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted November 09, 2009 01:49 PM
Thank you!! I have been downing water like a fish and trying really hard to pump extra when I can. I wish it wasn't so exhausting at times, but I can't complain as it is my choice. IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 428
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat.........& LEXIGRAMMING... is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted November 13, 2009 02:26 PM
I pumped milk for my son when he was little, and breast fed him at home. And pumped at home too, not just at work.
At work I stored it in an ice chest.
The best pump I found was:
'Kaneson Expressing and Feeding Bottle' breast pump, 1970 - 1990Read more: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=360568#ixzz0WljqqVPW
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial  I do not know if you can get one, but there are other models just about like it.
I found it to work very well!
If you knead and massage your breasts, especially the outer parts, towards your nipples, that can cause better flow! Notice, babies and kitties "knead/massage" as they are nursing.
Warm washcloths for a minute on your breasts can help increase flow too.
Make sure you are getting adequate milk/calcium, and fats too.
Good luck!
It is well worth doing! ------------------
Everyone is a teacher...
Everyone is a student...
Learning is eternal.
}><}}(*> IP: Logged |
ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 96
From: Maine
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted November 17, 2009 12:02 PM
Thanks, Lexx. I have a really great pump, it is on loan from the hospital. I will have to try the washcloth idea, I can see how that would help since the shower seems to get milk moving. I'm doing my very best to eat right and drinking tons of water and milk. Things have gotten better, it seems the weekends can help stimulate more production but I do feel she is nursing all day long! LOL.. Thanks again! IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 428
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat.........& LEXIGRAMMING... is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted November 17, 2009 09:03 PM
Never go too long without expressing/pumping milk.
If you go longer than if you were actually breast feeding, your production will drop.
I found to maximize production, one must express/pump every 4 hours.
------------------
Everyone is a teacher...
Everyone is a student...
Learning is eternal.
}><}}(*> IP: Logged |
PhoenixFire
Knowflake Posts: 13
From: The Crossing
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted December 02, 2009 10:34 PM
Thank you for asking this question, as I've been wondering about this myself. I'm starting my maternity leave tomorrow and plan on returning to work when my baby is about three months old. I really want to breastfeed him, and am also worried about not being able to do so when I return to work. IP: Logged |
Lindaland
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