@@alissabrownibclc hi. I am 7 mths pp and I been struggling my whole journey. I am an under under supplier. When measuring the nips do we use the same size we are or size up? I feel so alone in this journey my doc told my my journey is over but I don’t want it to….I get wayyy less than an oz each section
Hands down this is the most informative video on pumping I have watched tons of them and nothing compare to this. Thank you so much, keep up the good work.
I have watched hundreds of videos about relactation and this one was the first one that was so very helpful!! I don't know if you already did a video on relactation but if you haven't please do! I am on week 13 or 14 of relactating and I am at the stage of trying to get it to increase.
@@Theandersonfam178 thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’m so glad it’s been helpful! I haven’t yet done one on relactation but it’s on my list! Hoping to get some new videos out this month :)
I'm breastfeeding twins. After feeding them I pump around 60-80 ml of milk for 20min pumping from both breasts. Will try to do second round on both breasts.
I have twins as well but one of my babies don’t like breastfeeding… only baby bottle :( I think I might not have enough milk for both and he gets mad when he is breastfeeding hehe I don’t know what to do … trying to produce more milk
Some babies do have 'goldilocks syndrome' (It's either too fast or not flowing fast enough :) ) Most mamas are completely able to produce enough for twins, but sometimes with bubs being born early, not being able to feed as efficiently etc. it takes a while to boost your supply. Hope you're getting on okay now. I do offer online consultations if you need support. You can follow me on instagram too for more tips/advice @alissapembertonibclc
My son was born early..so spent 10 days in NICU. So even though I pumped, I obviously wasn't pumping enough and in the meantime the NICU nurses were bottle feeding him formula. And I have also strictly breastfeed my babies. Now, it seems I'm not pumping anything. I still pump as you suggested, however I believe it may be my pump. So I ordered a new one. But the anxiety of not being able to give him my milk is really giving me mommy guilt. As I mentioned i have never had issues breastfeeding. Could it be because he got used to the bottles in the NICU? Because I've never had a NICU baby. Thank you for your video.
Sorry to hear you’ve been through so much! There are a number of things which can contribute to low milk supply - you might find my video on that helpful. I also offer virtual consultations if you’d like to explore it further and work out what to do from here. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot but you’re doing great :) 👍
How often did they tell you pump? My babies spent 10 days in the nicu as well. They told me either every 2 hours in day and 4 at night or every 3 hours. Pumping in those first days is important. The way they require them to pass eating bottles to graduate isn't helpful for breastfeeding. I continued to pump even after coming home to keep milk supply up while he got bigger and stronger. I continued to exclusively pump for my first because of him getting used to the bottles. With our second he's actually breastfeeding. He didn't need the ventilator as long, but was born super early.
Thank you for your videos! My supply is so low, I’m following all the standard advice and I’m still barely getting enough. I can barely keep up with my three week old. He eats so much I’m afraid I’ll have to start topping up with formula, are there any foods or anything else I can do to build up my supply. ❤️❤️
I'd recommend speaking to an IBCLC to investigate the cause of your low supply - it may be to do with poor milk removal, or it could be to do with medications or hormonal imbalances which would be worth investigating. You can email alissa@motherandmilk.co.uk to arrange an online consultation with myself or search for a local IBCLC who can investigate further. You might also find this video helpful to determine how efficiently your baby is feeding :) th-cam.com/video/tCsOhT3pbOI/w-d-xo.html
I am not a new mother. My baby is 17 m. But, my friend is having a baby. She is a breast cancer survivor and has had a double mastectomy😢. When I was nursing, I made tons of milk. Do you have any tips on how I can get my milk flowing again to help her? She had asked that I donate milk if possible since I'm going to be god mom. I have been pumping for a week or so and I'm drinking the mother's milk teas, increased water, etc. Talked with my doctor and none of my current medications slow milk flow or are harmful to baby.
@@bremccoy327 Actually not all that long in terms of relactation so don't be disheartened. If you've had a full supply before that's a great sign. There are a few different approaches you can take. The ABA has some good protocols on that as well as ABM. You can either take the approach of just commencing stimulation through pumping, or you can also add supplements/galactagogues either herbal or pharmaceutical (you'll need a GP prescription for these). I always recommend having a review with an IBCLC to formulate a personalised relactation plan for you and to review which galactagogues are safe for you to take as they do have contraindications. Let me know if you'd like to arrange a virtual consult.
My baby is going to be three weeks old soon, and I can only seem to get a decent yield if my breasts have been engorged for some time, I.e. if I haven’t fed her for at least three to four hours. She seems to drink enough when she latches on, but when I pump in-between feeds, I only manage a few drops that barely cover the bottom of the bottle. This may sound silly, but does breast size influence how much your breasts can store? I have always had a smaller chest size, and it feels like I just don’t have much to give
How much you can pump isn’t a great indicator of how much you produce as the yield depends on so many factors and can change hour to hour. The most important things to look at are whether your baby is feeding efficiently, getting enough, gaining weight, good nappy output etc. If you can tick all of those boxes then you’re golden! Breast size isn’t directly related to milk production. For many mums with larger breasts it’s just extra fatty tissue rather than functional breast tissue :) Small breasts can produce just as much milk.
Check out this video to see whether your baby is feeding efficiently :) How To Tell If Your Baby Is ACTUALLY Feeding Properly th-cam.com/video/tCsOhT3pbOI/w-d-xo.html
Okay 👌🏻 3 minutes in and I can already see what I’ve been doing wrong, so it’s okay to get not even close to one ounce after feeding and waiting ? I guess that why I give up because I don’t see results when I only do it one day 😅
Glad you've found it helpful. It's never truly possible to judge milk supply based on how much you pump because it will vary at different feeds or different times of day. Best to judge based on signs of how baby is feeding. Take a look at this video to help you assess whether baby is taking enough - th-cam.com/video/tCsOhT3pbOI/w-d-xo.html
I have low supply in one breast… when I double pump with the spectra, sometimes nothing comes out of one side. Can I just keep the pump on, on that side? Or is it better to just stop pumping on that side if nothing comes out even after 10 min.? So this happens even after I’ve waited up to 1hr after breastfeeding.
It's normal to have your breasts making different amounts, but there are some other conditions which can impact supply and asymmetry like this. More frequent feeding or pumping on that side for a couple of weeks would be a good place to start and see if your supply increases. Also make sure you measure your flanges so you're using the correct size :)
When pumping do you continue to pump even though you aren’t getting any milk? I’m trying to save my supply and an only getting one ounce cumulative. So when I first start pumping my right side empties in 7min & my left side about 5min o r less. When I try to go back and fourth as you suggested with power pumping, there isn’t any more milk. It all emptied in the first 7min of pumping. Please share any ideas. Thank you in advance! 💛
You can still continue to stimulate even without any milk coming out, especially if you're trying to boost your supply. This stimulation sets of your milk making hormones! Also - try some hand expressing after the pump can no longer get milk out - you'd be surprised what you can get!
It's normal for milk supply to vary, depending on how much your baby has fed/taken during feeds etc. and time of day. Sometimes you might find you pump a lot less if your baby happens to have taken more at the previous feeds. It may also vary at different times in your cycle if your period has returned as well. Take a look back over the course of a week at how much you've pumped in total - and then compare that to the previous week to get a better idea of whether supply is increasing or decreasing. :)
Thank you for your reply. Do you think the hospital pump might improve my situation, has it helped with people who might have low milk supply? I had already bought an expensive pump but wondering if i should invest in the hospital grade
@@NkosiCebile Hospital grade pumps are definitely the most efficient, but there are lots of good options out there. Making sure your pump flanges are the right size and that your valves/membranes are replaced every 3-6 months and don't have any cracks/splits is also essential to keep any pump working properly. One of my favourite hospital grade pumps is the Spectra S1. It's actually pretty reasonable price but is a very efficient pump. You can also hire hospital grade pumps like the Medela Symphony for shorter periods of time also in most places :)
2 weeks PP and my left side barely has drops coming out when i pump but the right has a lot. she mainly feeds on the right but i always offer and encourage feeding on the left. i have been pumping on the left side but nothing really comes out. what can i do to get production up on the left side?
You’re doing exactly the right thing by trying to stimulate/remove more milk on that side. It’s normal to have some discrepancy but if that side is producing a lot less and it’s not increasing with regular, effective pumping with a quality hospital grade pump then you might benefit from seeing an IBCLC to rule out issues like hypoplasia :)
I suggest always starting to feed on the left even if just for a few minutes. then switch to the right side and at the same time on the left side put on a hakka (convenient hands free silicone pump) or a regular pump. this is what i did to finally get both sides to produce about the same amount.
This is a dumb question, sorry but if you feed and then pump, and later feed again what do you do with the milk you pumped? Do you freeze it or is the only purpose to stimulate milk production? Sorry, early in pregnancy and confused :D
It's normal to see your supply change around this time due to a natural drop in your milk making hormones. For exclusive pumping many mums find that a manual pump isn't effective enough, especially long term, so if you're only pumping I'd suggest you switch to a hospital grade electric. You can see my review on one of my most recommended here. If the low supply persists it would be worth arranging review with an IBCLC (or you can contact me via my website www.motherandmilk.co.uk)
@Alissa Pemberton IBCLC have you tried the new momcozy m5? I've been getting about as much or more sometimes than a normal pump. It's extremely comfortable and I like being able to pull my shirt down over it
Baby is 4 weeks old, still on formula and not latching to my breast.. trying to pump and give her milk but getting only 20 ml of milk per session.. very frustrating as I am unable to pump every 2 hours as lactation consultant suggested as I am not finding time to do it as I have to take care of baby day and night, do other work at home etc.. hardly getting any time to even rest or sleep after c section.. I am trying this power pumping but still not much supply.. very sad and disappointed.. any tips for me? Also finding blood when I pump from one breast 😢thanks
Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on here. You will find this video helpful for identifying some potential causes of your milk supply challenges. Have you got low milk supply? Here's why (and how to fix it!) th-cam.com/video/GgtbSvMyVnA/w-d-xo.html If pumping so frequently is becoming difficult for you I’d definitely suggest you try at breast supplementation. This is where you use a small tube to give your baby’s formula or expressed milk top ups WHILE they’re breastfeeding. You can purchase kits like the Medela supplemental nursing system or use a 5FG nasogastric tube which are usually cheaper to purchase (can even find them on Amazon). I’ve got more information here - www.motherandmilk.co.uk/post/guide-to-finger-feeding-cup-feeding-at-breast-supplementation
As a Mom to my 6th baby and dealing with low supply, I have to start taking a script. Domperidone has got me from half an oz to 3 oz. I'm in the states. I get it from another Mom of the "face or books" in a group. There's many groups. Just join a low supply group and you'll run into it. It's helped me from crying at every feed to pumping and saying "wow" when I pour it to make baby a bottle.
@@momma2thewilds88 domperidone can be a super useful medication for some mums, great to hear it’s been so successful for you, however it’s really important that mums speak to an IBCLC first to establish root cause of low supply as domperidone won’t always be the answer and it does have contraindications for mums with certain health conditions etc :)
I am an exclusive pumper and my supply has dropped since 8.5 mo old (currently 10mo) and seems like whatever i do does not bring my supply back... is there a baby age related reason causing it impossible to increase supply? Ive tried changing valves, eating lots of leafy greens, taking pump princess and another local galactogogues, continuously pumping milk out every 3 hrs, power pumping, borrowing a friend's s1 (mine is a 9+), hydrating... i dont know what else to try..
Sounds like you’ve been super thorough in trying to get to the cause of this. Is your baby satisfied with the amount of milk you’re able to pump at the moment + solids or are you needing to supplement with formula? We would expect to see a normal decrease around this age due to increased solids but it would also be worth looking into hormonal causes and also if your periods have returned or if there’s any chance you could be pregnant this can impact too :)
@@alissabrownibclc no she is not... she needs 600 ml while i currently only produce 300 ml max a day 😅 so she has been drinking formula where needed... is it possible that since my baby is an older baby, my supply cannot increase anymore alissa?
It may still be possible to increase your supply - it would be worth you seeing an IBCLC in your area to properly assess what’s going on and figure out for you why it has dropped.
Hello My LO is 5 months. He latches and exclusively breast fed baby. I will be returning to work soon whereI will have be 12-14 hours away from my home. I need to build freezer stashes but my milk supply got regulated. I hardly can save 200ml each day after my baby feeds. Is there any way to increase the supply? Im really worried. I pump twice a day.
So first thing to remember is that you really only need a day or two worth of milk prior (as you’ll be pumping at work and can then use that for the next day etc) Most babies will take between 90-120ml per feed or on average around 600-800ml per 24 hours. As far as boosting your supply - yes - absolutely possible to do that. The two things I’d suggest you do first are try power pumping where you pump for 20 mins, rest for 20, pump for 10, rest for 10 and then pump for 10. This doesn’t have to be every day but do it once a day if you can. If you continue with your twice daily pumping but leave the pump on for a few minutes after milk stops flowing. Then take the pump off and then hand express for a few minutes. This will also help drain the breast better and boost supply. Even if you’re only getting 200ml per day - saving this for a week or so should give you plenty for the first few days you’re at work :)
Day 3 of pumping exclusively my question is, is the pump toooooo strong? The little sucker sucks so strong it feels like it doesn't stimulate just a long suck then release then long suck then release.... am at 30 min per boob and only at about 5ml liquid in a whole day at day 3
I'm exclusively pump feeding but it's hard to build a stash, I'm pumping and feeding straight away (sometimes I have milk for the next feeding and that's it). What can I do to build a stash?
How old is your baby? It's normal as baby gets older for milk supply to regulate and therefore your body isn't producing as much extra so it's harder to build up an extra stash on top of feeding. Adding in an extra pump in between normal pumping sessions can be helpful - even it's only once or twice a day. If you usually pump every 3/4 hours try pumping again two hours after a session. Do this a couple of times a day over the course of a week to help increase supply and then you may find you're able to express more at each of your regular sessions. Also try a power pump at one of your regular pumping sessions (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, 10 minutes on).
So you're well within a point when you can increase your supply if he's only 4 weeks old. See how you go, and if you don't see any increase after a week or two of adding in those extra pumps then it's worth exploring other things which may be impacting your supply, as well as checking all your pump parts and whether your pump itself is effective enough :) @@Frederikue
@@alissabrownibclcMy baby is almost 2 weeks old. After feeding I get about 1oz total from both breasts with a pump. Am I able to increase my supply right now? I see people pumping 4-6oz after breastfeeding and it makes me feel like I’m not making enough.
Hi my baby is 7 weeks old now.. I’ve been giving formula and breastfeeding him but for the past few days I did not breastfeed him due to circumstances. I just pumped and I’ve only got few drops from both breasts. What shall I do? My breasts also feel very soft . Has it dried up? What shall I do? I really want to breastfeed him 😢
It hasn't nescessarily all gone but the quicker you can act the better chance of increasing again. It would be worth you getting in touch with an IBCLC (I can do virtual consults worldwide or see someone locally). Is baby now going to the breast again?
Hlo mam , my baby not latching so i am exclusively pump 4months . She was entered 5 month so this time i get only 3 oz is this ok for my 5 month baby plz rply mam how to manage the pumping schedule to.increase milk
The average milk intake for breastfed babies at this age is around 750ml per 24 hours, but this can vary. Some feeds may be smaller than others. Most important is to look at your baby’s weight and make sure she’s consistently gaining weight and following on or around her centile line.
Hi mam, m doing pumping last 1 week. Each pumping session for left breast is coimg as 3oz to 4oz in mrg and evg 2oz coming.. right breat mrg sessiin coming 1 oz to 2 oz and evg session coming 20ml per session...over all m collecting 650 ml to 800 ml per day...m doing 7 to 8 sessiin per day.. i should need to change breast feeding instaed of pumping after some days... So how long should i continue pumping ...need to change breast feeding after extablish kindly reply
You’ll want to slowly decrease the pumping as your baby takes more when feeding - so if your baby is able To take a full feed at the breast then you may be able to skip that pump. It would be worth having some support to actually watch your baby feed - and check out my video on how to know when your baby is feeding correctly - so you’re able to ensure they’re draining the breast well. Only decrease the pumping very gradually.
@@alissabrownibclc mam but milk supply still not increased m collecting 900 ml for both breast ..Milk coming also very slow so my baby taking time of 40 mins how to increase flow mam
You’re unlikely to see the same results with a silicone milk collector but you can continue alternating which side you put it on for 10-20 mins at a time however most mums find their breasts need to be fairly full to get much out with these.
Hello 👋, I need Help it's urgent please My baby boy is 2 months old and I am exclusively pumping to feed him but last 1 week I can't pump more than 2 times in 24 hour because of some health issue. Now my milk supply is only 3 to 4 oz per 24 hour and I am really worried about this. Please help me. He can't latch because of tie tounge. I am doing daily power pumping session for 1 hour from last e days
If you can start to increase the frequency of pumping as soon as possible back to the number of time you were pumping each day before you should start to see an increase again. Frequency is key especially at 2 months postpartum. If you continue pumping twice a day and he’s not latching then your body will produce less. I’d suggest seeing an IBCLC about the tongue tie to get this resolved.
Hi! Vert helpful videos.Iam using spectra pump s2, im squeezing breasts while pumping. Then only im getting more milk. Is that fine? My settings are 54 frequency, vaccun 10
Make sure you're using the wave button to start on higher frequency, lower suction, and then once letdown occurs press the wave button and you should then have it set at lower frequency (in the 30s/40s with higher suction). only go as high on suction as is comfortable for you.
If you're pumping frequently I love the hack of rinsing pump parts after pumping, pop them in a zip lock bag and into the fridge. You can then grab them out and reuse because theyve been kept cold enough to prevent bacteria growth :) Just wash after every couple of pumps. You can also get UV sterilisers which dry and sterilise pump parts in 30 mins :)
Measure across the gap in your areola if that makes sense - the space that would be taken up by your nipples. Depending on how tightly tethered they are you can also try pumping or using a nipple everter and then measuring :)
@@alissabrownibclc my baby is now 2 months will be 3 months on the 1st of November and yes i try to get baby to latch but he will only latch for about 5 mins then stops i tried all the sizes but seems like nun seem to work im afraid i wont have enough for baby rn i have to give him formula just to keep him going
I don’t produce enough milk, my baby only latches for a few minutes until nothing else comes out, therefore the amount of milk is more likely 1oz to 2oz in both breasts then she takes bottle. 2 and a half hrs later she is hungry again then i put her on my breast to feed her and this goes all day. When would be the time to pump? Because if i pump there would be nothing left for the baby, and if she latches there would be nothing left to pump. 🥲🥲
So if you’re having ongoing issues with your supply I’d definitley encourage you to get some support from an IBCLC to get to the root cause. Try latching her first and then pumping 30-60 minutes after she has fed, or straight after if she doesn’t feed well or only feeds on one side :)
Here I am learning how to help my wife feed our first child 😅
Good on you :)
What made the biggest difference for me is getting a pump with the right flange size... I didn't know there were different sizes
Such an important point - most brands send just a standard size which is way too large for a lot of mums :)
How u got ur flange separately????
You can order other sizes of flanges directly from many pump companies or get generic ones for different pumps from Amazon@@ajwainfo7539
@@alissabrownibclcit’s funny because it fits me because my nips are hugge lool
@@alissabrownibclc hi. I am 7 mths pp and I been struggling my whole journey. I am an under under supplier. When measuring the nips do we use the same size we are or size up? I feel so alone in this journey my doc told my my journey is over but I don’t want it to….I get wayyy less than an oz each section
Thank you for explaining power pump with only one pump. I was confused about that. Love the energy. To the point and so helpful!
Thanks for the feedback! I'm so glad it was helpful!
You’re good at lecturing.
This is the best video I’ve come across so far.
Thank you dear❤
Glad it was helpful!
Hands down this is the most informative video on pumping I have watched tons of them and nothing compare to this. Thank you so much, keep up the good work.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's so lovely to hear you found it helpful!
I have watched hundreds of videos about relactation and this one was the first one that was so very helpful!! I don't know if you already did a video on relactation but if you haven't please do! I am on week 13 or 14 of relactating and I am at the stage of trying to get it to increase.
@@Theandersonfam178 thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’m so glad it’s been helpful! I haven’t yet done one on relactation but it’s on my list! Hoping to get some new videos out this month :)
I'm breastfeeding twins. After feeding them I pump around 60-80 ml of milk for 20min pumping from both breasts. Will try to do second round on both breasts.
I have twins as well but one of my babies don’t like breastfeeding… only baby bottle :( I think I might not have enough milk for both and he gets mad when he is breastfeeding hehe I don’t know what to do … trying to produce more milk
Some babies do have 'goldilocks syndrome' (It's either too fast or not flowing fast enough :) )
Most mamas are completely able to produce enough for twins, but sometimes with bubs being born early, not being able to feed as efficiently etc. it takes a while to boost your supply. Hope you're getting on okay now.
I do offer online consultations if you need support.
You can follow me on instagram too for more tips/advice @alissapembertonibclc
That’s a lot of extra milk after you feed them! Impressive!
My son was born early..so spent 10 days in NICU. So even though I pumped, I obviously wasn't pumping enough and in the meantime the NICU nurses were bottle feeding him formula. And I have also strictly breastfeed my babies. Now, it seems I'm not pumping anything. I still pump as you suggested, however I believe it may be my pump. So I ordered a new one. But the anxiety of not being able to give him my milk is really giving me mommy guilt. As I mentioned i have never had issues breastfeeding. Could it be because he got used to the bottles in the NICU? Because I've never had a NICU baby. Thank you for your video.
Sorry to hear you’ve been through so much! There are a number of things which can contribute to low milk supply - you might find my video on that helpful.
I also offer virtual consultations if you’d like to explore it further and work out what to do from here.
Sounds like you’ve been through a lot but you’re doing great :) 👍
th-cam.com/video/GgtbSvMyVnA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=1vbdiHfV1XZ5r0y6
How often did they tell you pump? My babies spent 10 days in the nicu as well. They told me either every 2 hours in day and 4 at night or every 3 hours. Pumping in those first days is important. The way they require them to pass eating bottles to graduate isn't helpful for breastfeeding. I continued to pump even after coming home to keep milk supply up while he got bigger and stronger. I continued to exclusively pump for my first because of him getting used to the bottles. With our second he's actually breastfeeding. He didn't need the ventilator as long, but was born super early.
Thank you for your videos!
My supply is so low, I’m following all the standard advice and I’m still barely getting enough. I can barely keep up with my three week old. He eats so much I’m afraid I’ll have to start topping up with formula, are there any foods or anything else I can do to build up my supply. ❤️❤️
I'd recommend speaking to an IBCLC to investigate the cause of your low supply - it may be to do with poor milk removal, or it could be to do with medications or hormonal imbalances which would be worth investigating. You can email alissa@motherandmilk.co.uk to arrange an online consultation with myself or search for a local IBCLC who can investigate further. You might also find this video helpful to determine how efficiently your baby is feeding :) th-cam.com/video/tCsOhT3pbOI/w-d-xo.html
Your very helpful, I love this !
I am not a new mother. My baby is 17 m. But, my friend is having a baby. She is a breast cancer survivor and has had a double mastectomy😢. When I was nursing, I made tons of milk.
Do you have any tips on how I can get my milk flowing again to help her? She had asked that I donate milk if possible since I'm going to be god mom. I have been pumping for a week or so and I'm drinking the mother's milk teas, increased water, etc. Talked with my doctor and none of my current medications slow milk flow or are harmful to baby.
That’s so amazing you’re considering donating milk for her.
Are you still nursing at present? How long has it been since you stopped?
@@alissabrownibclc it's been WAY TOO LONG! My youngest is 17 months. About 8 months since I've nursed/ pumped.
@@bremccoy327 Actually not all that long in terms of relactation so don't be disheartened. If you've had a full supply before that's a great sign. There are a few different approaches you can take. The ABA has some good protocols on that as well as ABM. You can either take the approach of just commencing stimulation through pumping, or you can also add supplements/galactagogues either herbal or pharmaceutical (you'll need a GP prescription for these). I always recommend having a review with an IBCLC to formulate a personalised relactation plan for you and to review which galactagogues are safe for you to take as they do have contraindications. Let me know if you'd like to arrange a virtual consult.
Very helpful tips and I’m glad you described and showed how to do breast compressions.
Glad it was helpful! 😃
I learned from your video! Thank you! Very helpful tips
Thank you. Your tips have been very helpful
You’re welcome!
My baby is going to be three weeks old soon, and I can only seem to get a decent yield if my breasts have been engorged for some time, I.e. if I haven’t fed her for at least three to four hours. She seems to drink enough when she latches on, but when I pump in-between feeds, I only manage a few drops that barely cover the bottom of the bottle. This may sound silly, but does breast size influence how much your breasts can store? I have always had a smaller chest size, and it feels like I just don’t have much to give
How much you can pump isn’t a great indicator of how much you produce as the yield depends on so many factors and can change hour to hour.
The most important things to look at are whether your baby is feeding efficiently, getting enough, gaining weight, good nappy output etc. If you can tick all of those boxes then you’re golden!
Breast size isn’t directly related to milk production. For many mums with larger breasts it’s just extra fatty tissue rather than functional breast tissue :) Small breasts can produce just as much milk.
Check out this video to see whether your baby is feeding efficiently :) How To Tell If Your Baby Is ACTUALLY Feeding Properly
th-cam.com/video/tCsOhT3pbOI/w-d-xo.html
Okay 👌🏻 3 minutes in and I can already see what I’ve been doing wrong, so it’s okay to get not even close to one ounce after feeding and waiting ? I guess that why I give up because I don’t see results when I only do it one day 😅
Glad you've found it helpful. It's never truly possible to judge milk supply based on how much you pump because it will vary at different feeds or different times of day. Best to judge based on signs of how baby is feeding. Take a look at this video to help you assess whether baby is taking enough - th-cam.com/video/tCsOhT3pbOI/w-d-xo.html
I have low supply in one breast… when I double pump with the spectra, sometimes nothing comes out of one side. Can I just keep the pump on, on that side? Or is it better to just stop pumping on that side if nothing comes out even after 10 min.? So this happens even after I’ve waited up to 1hr after breastfeeding.
It's normal to have your breasts making different amounts, but there are some other conditions which can impact supply and asymmetry like this. More frequent feeding or pumping on that side for a couple of weeks would be a good place to start and see if your supply increases. Also make sure you measure your flanges so you're using the correct size :)
Have you ever tried power pumping? Dont stop pumping or u will loose ur supply totally
But how am i supposed to do it if i dont get time hsving a toddler and a baby
When pumping do you continue to pump even though you aren’t getting any milk?
I’m trying to save my supply and an only getting one ounce cumulative.
So when I first start pumping my right side empties in 7min & my left side about 5min o r less. When I try to go back and fourth as you suggested with power pumping, there isn’t any more milk. It all emptied in the first 7min of pumping. Please share any ideas. Thank you in advance! 💛
You can still continue to stimulate even without any milk coming out, especially if you're trying to boost your supply. This stimulation sets of your milk making hormones! Also - try some hand expressing after the pump can no longer get milk out - you'd be surprised what you can get!
What if the milk is very irregular, one day comes a-lot and the next day nothing is coming out. Would you know what is the problem?
It's normal for milk supply to vary, depending on how much your baby has fed/taken during feeds etc. and time of day. Sometimes you might find you pump a lot less if your baby happens to have taken more at the previous feeds. It may also vary at different times in your cycle if your period has returned as well. Take a look back over the course of a week at how much you've pumped in total - and then compare that to the previous week to get a better idea of whether supply is increasing or decreasing. :)
Thank you for your reply. Do you think the hospital pump might improve my situation,
has it helped with people who might have low milk supply?
I had already bought an expensive pump but wondering if i should invest in the hospital grade
@@NkosiCebile Hospital grade pumps are definitely the most efficient, but there are lots of good options out there. Making sure your pump flanges are the right size and that your valves/membranes are replaced every 3-6 months and don't have any cracks/splits is also essential to keep any pump working properly. One of my favourite hospital grade pumps is the Spectra S1. It's actually pretty reasonable price but is a very efficient pump. You can also hire hospital grade pumps like the Medela Symphony for shorter periods of time also in most places :)
2 weeks PP and my left side barely has drops coming out when i pump but the right has a lot. she mainly feeds on the right but i always offer and encourage feeding on the left. i have been pumping on the left side but nothing really comes out. what can i do to get production up on the left side?
You’re doing exactly the right thing by trying to stimulate/remove more milk on that side. It’s normal to have some discrepancy but if that side is producing a lot less and it’s not increasing with regular, effective pumping with a quality hospital grade pump then you might benefit from seeing an IBCLC to rule out issues like hypoplasia :)
I suggest always starting to feed on the left even if just for a few minutes. then switch to the right side and at the same time on the left side put on a hakka (convenient hands free silicone pump) or a regular pump. this is what i did to finally get both sides to produce about the same amount.
This is a dumb question, sorry but if you feed and then pump, and later feed again what do you do with the milk you pumped? Do you freeze it or is the only purpose to stimulate milk production? Sorry, early in pregnancy and confused :D
You can freeze it to create a freezer stash or you can dump it! Either is fine.
Definitley don’t dump it - it’s so precious!! Pop it in the fridge for 4 days or in the freezer for up to six months ;)
I have been exclusively Manuel pumping and suddenly had a drop in supply at 6 weeks pp. What would you recommend??
It's normal to see your supply change around this time due to a natural drop in your milk making hormones. For exclusive pumping many mums find that a manual pump isn't effective enough, especially long term, so if you're only pumping I'd suggest you switch to a hospital grade electric. You can see my review on one of my most recommended here. If the low supply persists it would be worth arranging review with an IBCLC (or you can contact me via my website www.motherandmilk.co.uk)
Spectra Pump Review - th-cam.com/video/qEDWll6cgAY/w-d-xo.html
@Alissa Pemberton IBCLC have you tried the new momcozy m5? I've been getting about as much or more sometimes than a normal pump. It's extremely comfortable and I like being able to pull my shirt down over it
Baby is 4 weeks old, still on formula and not latching to my breast.. trying to pump and give her milk but getting only 20 ml of milk per session.. very frustrating as I am unable to pump every 2 hours as lactation consultant suggested as I am not finding time to do it as I have to take care of baby day and night, do other work at home etc.. hardly getting any time to even rest or sleep after c section.. I am trying this power pumping but still not much supply.. very sad and disappointed.. any tips for me? Also finding blood when I pump from one breast 😢thanks
Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on here. You will find this video helpful for identifying some potential causes of your milk supply challenges.
Have you got low milk supply? Here's why (and how to fix it!)
th-cam.com/video/GgtbSvMyVnA/w-d-xo.html
If pumping so frequently is becoming difficult for you I’d definitely suggest you try at breast supplementation. This is where you use a small tube to give your baby’s formula or expressed milk top ups WHILE they’re breastfeeding. You can purchase kits like the Medela supplemental nursing system or use a 5FG nasogastric tube which are usually cheaper to purchase (can even find them on Amazon). I’ve got more information here -
www.motherandmilk.co.uk/post/guide-to-finger-feeding-cup-feeding-at-breast-supplementation
As a Mom to my 6th baby and dealing with low supply, I have to start taking a script. Domperidone has got me from half an oz to 3 oz. I'm in the states. I get it from another Mom of the "face or books" in a group. There's many groups. Just join a low supply group and you'll run into it. It's helped me from crying at every feed to pumping and saying "wow" when I pour it to make baby a bottle.
@@momma2thewilds88 domperidone can be a super useful medication for some mums, great to hear it’s been so successful for you, however it’s really important that mums speak to an IBCLC first to establish root cause of low supply as domperidone won’t always be the answer and it does have contraindications for mums with certain health conditions etc :)
I am an exclusive pumper and my supply has dropped since 8.5 mo old (currently 10mo) and seems like whatever i do does not bring my supply back... is there a baby age related reason causing it impossible to increase supply? Ive tried changing valves, eating lots of leafy greens, taking pump princess and another local galactogogues, continuously pumping milk out every 3 hrs, power pumping, borrowing a friend's s1 (mine is a 9+), hydrating... i dont know what else to try..
Sounds like you’ve been super thorough in trying to get to the cause of this. Is your baby satisfied with the amount of milk you’re able to pump at the moment + solids or are you needing to supplement with formula?
We would expect to see a normal decrease around this age due to increased solids but it would also be worth looking into hormonal causes and also if your periods have returned or if there’s any chance you could be pregnant this can impact too :)
@@alissabrownibclc no she is not... she needs 600 ml while i currently only produce 300 ml max a day 😅 so she has been drinking formula where needed... is it possible that since my baby is an older baby, my supply cannot increase anymore alissa?
It may still be possible to increase your supply - it would be worth you seeing an IBCLC in your area to properly assess what’s going on and figure out for you why it has dropped.
Hello
My LO is 5 months. He latches and exclusively breast fed baby. I will be returning to work soon whereI will have be 12-14 hours away from my home. I need to build freezer stashes but my milk supply got regulated. I hardly can save 200ml each day after my baby feeds. Is there any way to increase the supply? Im really worried. I pump twice a day.
So first thing to remember is that you really only need a day or two worth of milk prior (as you’ll be pumping at work and can then use that for the next day etc)
Most babies will take between 90-120ml per feed or on average around 600-800ml per 24 hours.
As far as boosting your supply - yes - absolutely possible to do that. The two things I’d suggest you do first are try power pumping where you pump for 20 mins, rest for 20, pump for 10, rest for 10 and then pump for 10. This doesn’t have to be every day but do it once a day if you can.
If you continue with your twice daily pumping but leave the pump on for a few minutes after milk stops flowing. Then take the pump off and then hand express for a few minutes. This will also help drain the breast better and boost supply.
Even if you’re only getting 200ml per day - saving this for a week or so should give you plenty for the first few days you’re at work :)
Day 3 of pumping exclusively my question is, is the pump toooooo strong? The little sucker sucks so strong it feels like it doesn't stimulate just a long suck then release then long suck then release.... am at 30 min per boob and only at about 5ml liquid in a whole day at day 3
What sort of pump are you using? Have you measure for the correct flange size?
Very useful tips, thank you, God bless you
You're welcome :)
Thank you so much!!!
@@rachelreichert1966 you’re welcome!
I'm exclusively pump feeding but it's hard to build a stash, I'm pumping and feeding straight away (sometimes I have milk for the next feeding and that's it). What can I do to build a stash?
How old is your baby? It's normal as baby gets older for milk supply to regulate and therefore your body isn't producing as much extra so it's harder to build up an extra stash on top of feeding. Adding in an extra pump in between normal pumping sessions can be helpful - even it's only once or twice a day. If you usually pump every 3/4 hours try pumping again two hours after a session. Do this a couple of times a day over the course of a week to help increase supply and then you may find you're able to express more at each of your regular sessions.
Also try a power pump at one of your regular pumping sessions (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, 10 minutes on).
@@alissabrownibclc Thanks for the reply. He's 4 weeks old. I'll try with adding extra pumps and doing the power one
So you're well within a point when you can increase your supply if he's only 4 weeks old. See how you go, and if you don't see any increase after a week or two of adding in those extra pumps then it's worth exploring other things which may be impacting your supply, as well as checking all your pump parts and whether your pump itself is effective enough :)
@@Frederikue
@@alissabrownibclcMy baby is almost 2 weeks old. After feeding I get about 1oz total from both breasts with a pump. Am I able to increase my supply right now? I see people pumping 4-6oz after breastfeeding and it makes me feel like I’m not making enough.
Hi my baby is 7 weeks old now.. I’ve been giving formula and breastfeeding him but for the past few days I did not breastfeed him due to circumstances. I just pumped and I’ve only got few drops from both breasts. What shall I do? My breasts also feel very soft . Has it dried up? What shall I do? I really want to breastfeed him 😢
It hasn't nescessarily all gone but the quicker you can act the better chance of increasing again. It would be worth you getting in touch with an IBCLC (I can do virtual consults worldwide or see someone locally). Is baby now going to the breast again?
Really good explanations
Thanks :)
Hlo mam , my baby not latching so i am exclusively pump 4months . She was entered 5 month so this time i get only 3 oz is this ok for my 5 month baby plz rply mam how to manage the pumping schedule to.increase milk
The average milk intake for breastfed babies at this age is around 750ml per 24 hours, but this can vary.
Some feeds may be smaller than others. Most important is to look at your baby’s weight and make sure she’s consistently gaining weight and following on or around her centile line.
Hi mam, m doing pumping last 1 week. Each pumping session for left breast is coimg as 3oz to 4oz in mrg and evg 2oz coming.. right breat mrg sessiin coming 1 oz to 2 oz and evg session coming 20ml per session...over all m collecting 650 ml to 800 ml per day...m doing 7 to 8 sessiin per day.. i should need to change breast feeding instaed of pumping after some days... So how long should i continue pumping ...need to change breast feeding after extablish kindly reply
You’ll want to slowly decrease the pumping as your baby takes more when feeding - so if your baby is able
To take a full feed at the breast then you may be able to skip that pump. It would be worth having some support to actually watch your baby feed - and check out my video on how to know when your baby is feeding correctly - so you’re able to ensure they’re draining the breast well. Only decrease the pumping very gradually.
@@alissabrownibclc mam but milk supply still not increased m collecting 900 ml for both breast ..Milk coming also very slow so my baby taking time of 40 mins how to increase flow mam
I need help me to increase my milk supply
If you’re struggling with low supply I’d suggest you reach out to an IBCLC for some support in person :)
How would you use a silicone milk collector to "power pump"
You’re unlikely to see the same results with a silicone milk collector but you can continue alternating which side you put it on for 10-20 mins at a time however most mums find their breasts need to be fairly full to get much out with these.
Great content!
Thanks!
Hello 👋, I need Help it's urgent please
My baby boy is 2 months old and I am exclusively pumping to feed him but last 1 week I can't pump more than 2 times in 24 hour because of some health issue. Now my milk supply is only 3 to 4 oz per 24 hour and I am really worried about this. Please help me. He can't latch because of tie tounge. I am doing daily power pumping session for 1 hour from last e days
If you can start to increase the frequency of pumping as soon as possible back to the number of time you were pumping each day before you should start to see an increase again. Frequency is key especially at 2 months postpartum. If you continue pumping twice a day and he’s not latching then your body will produce less. I’d suggest seeing an IBCLC about the tongue tie to get this resolved.
Mam my prolactin level is very high 470 but milk supply is low. can i take oxytocine harmone injection
I’d suggest you discuss this with your IBCLC or general practitioner as I can’t give clinical guidance specific to your situation here :)
Hi! Vert helpful videos.Iam using spectra pump s2, im squeezing breasts while pumping. Then only im getting more milk. Is that fine? My settings are 54 frequency, vaccun 10
Make sure you're using the wave button to start on higher frequency, lower suction, and then once letdown occurs press the wave button and you should then have it set at lower frequency (in the 30s/40s with higher suction). only go as high on suction as is comfortable for you.
Thankyou 😅
Youre welcome :)
How do you pump so often in a day if you have to wash and air dry pump equiptment after every session??
If you're pumping frequently I love the hack of rinsing pump parts after pumping, pop them in a zip lock bag and into the fridge. You can then grab them out and reuse because theyve been kept cold enough to prevent bacteria growth :) Just wash after every couple of pumps. You can also get UV sterilisers which dry and sterilise pump parts in 30 mins :)
@@alissabrownibclc thanks!
How do you measure your nipples if you have inverted nipples
Measure across the gap in your areola if that makes sense - the space that would be taken up by your nipples. Depending on how tightly tethered they are you can also try pumping or using a nipple everter and then measuring :)
I have a mendela hospital grade and I only get 1/2 ounce no matter what
Have you measured to check you're using the correct flange size? How old is your baby?
@@alissabrownibclc my baby is now 2 months will be 3 months on the 1st of November and yes i try to get baby to latch but he will only latch for about 5 mins then stops i tried all the sizes but seems like nun seem to work im afraid i wont have enough for baby rn i have to give him formula just to keep him going
@@alissabrownibclc maybe my next little one will be better im a first time mom
Supply often improves in future pregnancies. How old is your baby now? @@cnote4971
I don’t produce enough milk, my baby only latches for a few minutes until nothing else comes out, therefore the amount of milk is more likely 1oz to 2oz in both breasts then she takes bottle. 2 and a half hrs later she is hungry again then i put her on my breast to feed her and this goes all day. When would be the time to pump? Because if i pump there would be nothing left for the baby, and if she latches there would be nothing left to pump. 🥲🥲
So if you’re having ongoing issues with your supply I’d definitley encourage you to get some support from an IBCLC to get to the root cause.
Try latching her first and then pumping 30-60 minutes after she has fed, or straight after if she doesn’t feed well or only feeds on one side :)