My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Breastfeeding Support Group Community

Trying to decide whether to breastfeed? Already breastfeeding and want to ... more

Reply: pumping and ouchiness

Not sure what kind of pump you have, but look into finding some soft cups (flanges). If...

Posted by kell0613

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:pumping and ouchiness Not sure what kind of pump you have, but look into finding some soft cups (flanges). If...

Reply: Keeping up with Baby

That sounds very familiar to me!! First, I think 3 months is WAY too early to start any...

Posted by kell0613

That sounds very familiar to me!!
First, I think 3 months is WAY too early to start any solds, even cereal. You should wait.
Getting 4-5 oz per pumping session sounds about normal. (FWIW, that's generally about how much I get)
There is a lot of good pumping info on www.kellymom.com
Here's my experience:
I've been pumping since DD was 8 weeks old when I went back to work. She is now 7 mos. When I first went back to work, I pumped every 2 hours. I'm not sure what your schedule is like, but if it is possible for you, I'd highly recommend that! Also, if you're the one dropping her off at daycare, leave a little early and feed her right before you leave, so she's "topped off". Tou could also ask her sitters to try not to feed her after a certain time. (I have always requested that my DD isn't fed within 1 hour of my return. So most days she's starting when I get off work, but its better for me to BF).
If you can't pump every 2 hours, the absolute longest you should go without pumping is 3 hours.
Also try to add some pumping sessions in when you're home with baby....for example, I always pump just after I put her to bed at night. Also, throw in as much pumping as you can on the weekends - if you're home and its feesible, try to pump after each feeding.
This will help you start to build up a supply, and you may be able to freeze some of the extra. Or at the very least, it will give you a few extra bags to use during the week.
Also, if she is going to a daycare, I'd recommend packaging her milk in 2-3 oz bags/bottles. The daycares in my state are required by law to throw away any breastmilk or formula not finished in a single feeding. So if your LO isn't taking all 6 oz...but say 5 oz, you're losing an ounce a feed...which if she eats 5 times while you're at work is a full bottle. I just hate the thought of anyone's breastmilk getting thrown away!
Hang in there! When you go to your Pedi for LO's 4 month checkup, be sure to tell her your concerns - be sure to let them know if it is your intention to continue breastfeeding. Some Drs will just say supplement right away. There are lots of other things you can try to stimulate your supply. Ask about solids then (My Dr advised us to start small amounts of cereal just after 4 mos)

Finally (wow this is getting long) I take Fenugreek to help stimulate my supply. It is an herb that you can take while BF and it doesn't affect the milk. The only side effect is that you can smell a little like Maple Syrup. My hubby tells me it makes him hungry for pancakes

I've heard there are teas out there too, but from what I've read different things work for different people.
If you've actually read this long - Thanks!

If you have any more questions, feel free to email me at kell0613@hotmail.com

Keep at it, you're doing a great job!!View Thread

Posted bykell0613

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Keeping up with Baby That sounds very familiar to me!! First, I think 3 months is WAY too early to start any...

Reply: Keeping up with Baby

That is totally normal! It freaked me out at first when my boobs stopped feeling hard and...

Posted by kell0613

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Keeping up with Baby That is totally normal! It freaked me out at first when my boobs stopped feeling hard and...

Reply: Unlatching

It actually sounds like he may just be a fast eater! 5-7 minutes may seem a little...

Posted by kell0613

It actually sounds like he may just be a fast eater!

5-7 minutes may seem a little short, but he is the most efficient pump you can imagine! If he started out as a good eater, he probably has just learned how to do it quickly. Especially if he is doing 5-7 on both sides sometimes, I'm sure he is getting plenty foremilk and hindmilk. Regardless of how much/long he eats, at this stage, his tummy is really tiny. Breastmilk is digested MUCH faster than formula, so feeding him every 1.5-2 hours sounds about right. My DD is 7 months now, and those first 8-12 weeks she ate about every 1.5-2 hours. Sometimes she'd give me a break and go 3 hours, but that was rare. As long as he is gaining weight, he is getting plenty.

Yes, at this stage it does feel like all you do is BF. Stick with it. It will get much easier, I promise. There were a lot of days when I felt like I lived on the couch with the boppy around my waist. If you can make it thru this tough time, I promise it WILL get easier. Soon, he will begin to go longer in between meals, and you'll feel like you have a little more freedom. Again, I really do think it sounds like your little guy is getting plenty, and feeding him longer probably won't make him stay any fuller.

Pumping: The best option at this stage is to pump right after a feeding. Especially, if he only nurses one side, pump the other side. At 6 weeks, your body is still learning how much milk to make, and is slowly increasing the supply as your guy grows. Pumping will accelerate your supply increase. At the stage you're at, I'd be surprised if were able to pump 1 oz total after nursing (as in, that would be a lot to get) I remember getting less than 1/2 oz per side when I pumped. As young as your son is, you're still measuring food in MLs, not OZ. Make sure you aren't giving up on the pumping too soon. You should pump at least 10 minutes (but no more than 20). Even if you don't see milk coming out, keep pumping. This will stimulate more production.

I could go on and on about pumping. Let me know if you have more specific questions. (I returned to work full time when my DD was 9 weeks old, and have been pumping since day 1 in the hospital. I BF her anytime I'm with her and she has breastmilk in a bottle while I'm away. I haven't had to supplement with any formula yet, so we're happy about that!)View Thread

Posted bykell0613

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Unlatching It actually sounds like he may just be a fast eater! 5-7 minutes may seem a little...

Reply: Fenugreek

I've just started taking Fenugreek this week actually. My DD is 6 months and has started...

Posted by kell0613

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Fenugreek I've just started taking Fenugreek this week actually. My DD is 6 months and has started...

Reply: hello

Hi! My Daughter is just over 6 months old now. We are still going strong with...

Posted by kell0613

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:hello Hi! My Daughter is just over 6 months old now. We are still going strong with...

Reply: Breastfeeding & Periods

I think it is different for everyone. My first is 6mos old and I had a vag birth, and am...

Posted by kell0613

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Breastfeeding & Periods I think it is different for everyone. My first is 6mos old and I had a vag birth, and am...

Reply: One side makes more

Its somewhat normal for one side to be a better producer than the other. Just keep...

Posted by kell0613

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:One side makes more Its somewhat normal for one side to be a better producer than the other. Just keep...

Reply: Keeping up with Baby

My DD went thru a lot of phases like this where it seemed like she wasn't satisfied at...

Posted by kell0613

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Keeping up with Baby My DD went thru a lot of phases like this where it seemed like she wasn't satisfied at...

Reply: Lacking milk

Nurse him - a lot - anytime it is possible! His suckling will stimulate your supply more...

Posted by kell0613

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Lacking milk Nurse him - a lot - anytime it is possible! His suckling will stimulate your supply more...

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Other Member Communities

Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Breastfeeding Support Group Community

See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

kell0613

Latest Activity

See Related Parenting Communities

Women's Health Newsletter

Other Member Communities

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

More From WebMD:

Find us on:

Breastfeeding Support Group Community

See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

kell0613

Latest Activity

See Related Parenting Communities

Women's Health Newsletter

Other Member Communities

More Related Communities

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

More From WebMD:

Find us on: