Back at work and BreastFeeding

[jifnif]

Hi Girls!!  I am finally back at work and near a computer.  I hope you are all doing well.  I have not been on in a few months so forgive me for not knowing everyone.  Kannan was born on August 29th and is gorgeous...but I started back to work this Wednesday and my milk flow has been totally messed up!!  I nurse every two hours and so while he is in daycare I pump every two hours.  I get 4oz the first two bottles I pump and then I am down to 2oz or 3oz for the rest of the night and I think Kannan is not getting enough.  How do I get my milk flow back up??  Please help, I dont wanta give up nursing.

[deanne11]

When you get home are you nursing or giving him the bottled milk from that afternoon.

I always saved the bottled milk for the next day and had my DD nurse as soon as I walked in the door and never had a problem.

[jifnif]

I never give him a bottle..he wont take it from me anyhow...i always nurse if i am w/ him....is there anything i can take to help increase the flow???

[HIS GIFT TO US]

Have u tried drinking something warm? I remember there were days where I seemed to not have as much & then the next day I'd be pouring:)

[neparker]

That happened to me too when I returned back to work.

At work I just started pumping more and that fixed the problem.  Hope it helps.

[luv_babies]

Sorry, I don't have any advice, I just want to say welcome back! We missed you! : ) And Kannan is beautiful!

[deanne11]

My DD would not take a bottle from me either so the babysitter used my milk in a bottle while I wasn't around but I neevr experienced low flow when I got home....my peanut never seemed hungry.

But then again when I got home she was attached to me for 5 out of the 8 hours prior to bedtime.

I heard wine (although controversal) and warm milk, teas...help

[lawgirl17]

I think it is called Fenugreek (maybe Fenogreek). You can research it on Google and find that it is excellent at increasing milk. Good luck!

[jifnif]

Thanks to everyone...I could really use a glass of wine and 8hrs of sleep to go w/..haha!!!! I will try the fenugreek..thanks again....

[casey's mom]

I had a similar problem when I returned to work part time. Thankfully I work from home (son still at day care) and was able to pump often. This seemed to help. But the pump NEVER empties you like a baby, so your supply is obviously adjusting to this new supply/demand. If you pump more often and nurse more frequently when you are with your baby, this should help. Also, I always woke in the middle of the night to pump. I know this sounds crazy but I did it. My son started sleeping through the night around 8 weeks, but I still got up to pump so I could keep my supply up. They say your supply peaks in the middle of the night. I ran into a similar supply problem with my son started eating foods. He nursed less and my supply dipped making it frustrating for him. I weaned just before 10 months but I wish I could have gone longer. I'm pregnant with my 2nd now and hope to continue longer and find ways to keep my milk supply up. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Also I heard rasberry tea was supposed to be good. Worth a shot.

[disneymom2]

I just started back to work on Wednesday.  My DD is 4 1/2 months.  I noticed that both with my DS and DD that the first week or so back to work it took a little time for things to really get going.  I think you have to start to relax.  I know I was worried that someone would barge in on me even though the door was locked.  I could hear people walking back and forth and I kept getting nervous.  At home it's like you can just plop on your couch watch t.v and not care that your husband is walking around or whatever.  I'm starting to relax more now so my let down happens almost instantly.  I nurse her as soon as I get her home from daycare.  I don't give her bottles at home.  The only time would be if we went out or something but for the most part on evenings and weekends I nurse.

[decogrl]

Hello JNIFF and welcome back!

I had Ameera on 9/21.  I wish I could pump 4 oz --my supply has been really low from day 1.  I am going to try brewer's yeast tablets alon with fenugreek.  I believe you could find either at GNC.  Good luck!

[jian]

Just curious, you named your baby Kannan, isn't it an Indian name?
Sorry I hv no advises on the b/F part, I am only 30 wks :)

[decogrl]

It is not going all that well for me and I am having to give her forumla which has really screwed with her tummy.  i pump milk around the clock for her --even if it is a small amount it is better than her getting none.

[jifnif]

Kannan is an indian name and it is also japanese....we just liked it..

decogrl....congrats to you!!!  I dont always get 4oz...but I am getting the fenugreek today..i will look into the yeast.  How is nursing for you???  I am still every 2hrs and its very demanding but I wouldnt give it up for the world.