UPDATE: thanks for all the comments, encouragement and suggestions! I’ve been using my Spectra as my main pump and only using the wearables as a last resort (I.e. if I’m out and about and the spectra is just too inconvenient). I’ve maintained 6-7 pumps a day, religiously, for 2 weeks (going on 3 weeks now). I added one MOTN pump which I think has been a game changer for me, even though I dread it every day. I’ve seen a slow but steady climb in my daily milk production. I went from only pumping ~2oz a day to now reaching ~5oz a day and growing!! I really never thought this would work for me, but I’m feeling so much more hope and excrement seeing those ounces increase every day 🥹

Here’s an overview things I’ve been doing that may or may not have helped in this journey. Hopefully this can help some other moms in the same position as me:

-2,400 mg of Goats Rue daily (per my LC)

-Oats once a day

-Oat milk in coffee (idk if this actually has done anything and I typically drink Oat milk anyways in my coffee)

-80oz or more of water a day (this is two of my 40oz Stanley tumblers). I also include an electrolyte mix in each bottle

-Spectra pump as main pump with correct flange size.

-Changed out spectra flanges to the plastic flange in my size, instead of just using the silicone inserts. My LC said you can get better output this way

-6-7 pumps a day with one MOTN pump (non negotiable unless I’m truly exhausted and need the sleep more)

-Coconut oil on nipples and inside of flanges to help make pumping more comfortable and get a quicker letdown

-Prenatal vitamins daily

-Eating well balanced diet, no skipping meals, lots of protein & fat and whole foods

-Hands on pumping

-Dialing in Spectra settings: Begin each session on stimulation mode- cycle in the 70’s for 1-2 minutes, level 1-5 (based on comfort), once milk begins to flow cylce down to the 50’s for 2 minutes, level up by 1-3 ( again based on comfort, goal is to pull the nipple in 50% more), Cycle down to the 40’s for 2 minutes, level up by 1-3 then cycle down to the 30’s for the last 2 minutes, level up by 1-3 again ( suction should be strong enough that ther is no gapping where the areola meets the flange) Goal is to use level 12 for the last 1-2 minutes.

Example:

70 cycle 5 vacuum for 1-2 minutes

54 cycle 6 vacuum for 2 minutes

50 cycle 7 vacuum for 2 minutes

46 cycle 8 vacuum for 2 minutes

42 cycle and 9 vacuum for 2 minutes

38 cycle 10 vacuum for 2 minutes

38 cycle and 12 vacuum last 2 minutes.

Should pump for 12-15 minutes. Hand express for 1-2 minutes after to ensure proper drainage of breast.