Okay, if I start pumping to increase my supply what's the best way?

[lunita]

Immediately after nursing? Half an hour after? For how long?

I do have an Ameda one handed pump, but I'm not quite coordinated enough to nurse a newborn and pump at the same time. My breasts are just too big and heavy, so I feel like I need both hands to support baby and my breast to nurse right now.

He gained about 1.5 oz. since Wednesday. That's not TERRIBLE, but we're sitting at almost 7 ounces below his birthweight at day 10. I don't like seeing his skin all baggy still. :(

[Kerry]

I'm sorry you're having difficulties. I haven't really been around much in the past few weeks. Please PM me or call me (928-759-9884) if you want to talk or need help. Unfortunately, I have TONS of personal experience with slow-gaining babies, as well as plenty of professional experience.

If you're dealing with a slow-gaining baby and you need to increase milk production, the best way to do it would be with a hospital-grade double electric. Do you have access to one you could rent? A hand-held just isn't going to be very effective.

Generally, it's best to pump for 10-15 minutes after all feedings, but a lot of that depends on the reason behind the slow gain. Was he early? Does he have any physical issues?

Is he nursing at least every 2-3 hours?

Again, please don't hesitate to call if you need someone to bounce ideas off or some additional help.

[lunita]

I have an Ameda Purely Yours, but I can rent a pump if necessary.

He was born 8 days past his due date and latches fine, IMO. I've just had pretty much this exact issue with all of the other three. Eventually my milk comes in fine, but they've all gained slowly at the beginning. I don't think my milk started to come in until he was about 5-6 days old. He's alert and nursing at least every 2-3 hours, often more.

[Kerry]

Then I would focus on pumping after feedings, rather than between.

[lunita]

Okay, thanks. Will do. Will the Purely Yours be good enough?

Also, about how much does an 8 lb. 4 oz. baby need in a 24 hour period? I've done a couple of pre/post feed weights on the nice digital scale at the lactation station/store but I don't have any perspective on what they actually mean (he took in 1.5oz. one time, 1.67 oz. the other, both were about 25 minute nursing sessions with breast compression and switch nursing.)

[Amanda_Reyasmom]

Stomach sizes 1-10 days (http://www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/started/stomach.aspx)

This says the capacity at 10 days is 60mL to 81mL 60mL = 2.02 oz.. I think what he's taking in seems like it's not too far off.


Okay, thanks. Will do. Will the Purely Yours be good enough?

Also, about how much does an 8 lb. 4 oz. baby need in a 24 hour period? I've done a couple of pre/post feed weights on the nice digital scale at the lactation station/store but I don't have any perspective on what they actually mean (he took in 1.5oz. one time, 1.67 oz. the other, both were about 25 minute nursing sessions with breast compression and switch nursing.)

[lunita]

[QUOTE=lunita;199971

Also, about how much does an 8 lb. 4 oz. baby need in a 24 hour period? I've done a couple of pre/post feed weights on the nice digital scale at the lactation station/store but I don't have any perspective on what they actually mean (he took in 1.5oz. one time, 1.67 oz. the other, both were about 25 minute nursing sessions with breast compression and switch nursing.)[/QUOTE]
I found this calculator to answer my own question. http://www.fourfriends.com/cgi-bin/milk.pl Does it seem right to you? (basically if he only takes in that much on average, he needs to nurse at least every 2 hours to get enough milk? For 8 feedings a day he'd need 2.1-2.6 oz. each time.)

[lunita]

UPDATE: between galactagogues, a couple of pumping sessions and nursing non-stop this weekend, we're up 3.5 ounces since Saturday. I am so relieved. He won't be up to his birthweight tomorrow, but he's on the right track now. (the pumping is so pathetic it is funny. From about 4 sessions/ a total of an hour of pumping with a good double pump, I have a bottle with about a half teaspoon of milk in it. It's really easy to see how moms give up nursing.)

I think this just must be normal for my body? It's hard not to compare myself and Charlie to my SIL, whose 9 lb. 1 oz baby weighed 9 lb. 5oz. at her 3 or 4 day check-up.

I'm still going to keep up with the same routine for as long as I can. The kids are on spring break this week and it is going to be a very boring week at home for them.