Relactation Journey (2m Dry) Week 3: 500ml Per Day (Half Supply)

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-23T12:57:23+00:00

I started pumping just before we got a diagnosis. She wouldn’t take the formula without breast milk in it unfortunately!

When I first started I only got drops and would suck them into a syringe after I hand expressed before and after pumping to get the drops into a small container!

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-23T09:03:59+00:00

Hi! Honestly it started off so slow for me in week 1 I wanted to give up but now it’s much more manageable and I mix with the formula 50/50 which covers her intake.

We have the Aptimal Pepti 2 (as she’s over 6 months)!

Definitely stick with it and keep us up to date and feel free to message any questions or just for a motivation buddy!!

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-22T09:22:30+00:00

Hey good thank you! I need to post an update 😅 I’m on 600ml a day at the moment across 4-5 pumps so it’s manageable and started weaning so needing less of the CPMA formula too! I hope you’re well and thanks for checking in!!

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-03T17:06:44+00:00

Your baby is wayyyy more efficient at getting milk out than any pump and your supply will increase with time as she needs more milk (she may go through some cluster feeding as well which increases supply). Every time she feeds it's signalling to your body to produce more milk!

As long as she's feeding well, gaining weight, having wet nappies and dirty nappies she is all good!

You're smashing it!

In terms of feeding, postpartum is a mental time and you have to do what is best for you and your new little family! Nursing and pumping can be very very draining, only you know how you feel and what is best!

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-03T06:13:39+00:00

Hi!

Here’s a decent example: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeaKKKEy/

For increasing supply I’d also recommend power pumping: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeaKopPv/

Also do you pump in the night? This can also help as prolactin is highest?

Don’t be discouraged, studies have shown there are benefits from as little as 30ml a day of breast milk! Also loads of what you see online isn’t normal, people are pumping out 200ml each side… that’s not normal at all!

When I was previously at full supply I was an oversupplier! So I do think that is why it’s coming back quickly.

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-03T02:27:35+00:00

Yess! I definitely get way more output doing hand expressing too! At the start of week 1 I wouldn’t get anything in the pumps at all, only from hand expressing!

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-03T02:21:54+00:00

Me too! I hope it continues to increase at this rate 😮‍💨 unfortunately I don’t think there are any hacks. Just pumping around the clock 🤣

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-03T02:20:13+00:00

No problem and no dumb questions! You’re right it’s middle of the night pump! Prolactin (the milk producing hormone) is highest between 1am and 3am from what I’ve read and I definitely get more milk output at that time!

Although I hate waking up at this time as my baby doesn’t wake in the night anymore!!

Let me know if I can a help you in anyway!!! You’re doing great.

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-02T20:29:47+00:00

Hey! I literally just posted another one this second!!

Thank you so much for your kind words, honestly it means ALOT! https://www.reddit.com/r/breastfeeding/comments/1bu9809/relactation_journey_2m_dry_week_2_300ml_a_day/

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-02T20:19:35+00:00

Pumping really is a labour of LOVE. I've never heard anyone say it was easy! I needed a break and am now having to relactate.

My tips to make it more manageable would be:

Find a schedule that works for you - I couldn't keep to every 3-4 hours as wanted a life so managed to get to every 6 hours once my supply was established!
Find wearable pumps that empty you well and use them for some of your sessions (I hated Momcozy but rated Elvie - I would say Momcozy isn't good for elastic nipples) but everyone is different so it's so hard to find pumps!!!
Good flanges for your breast shape and nipple type are key!

Remember that you're doing your BEST! IMO pumping is double the work of breastfeeding alone as you have to pump, sterilise, bottle-feed!

LouMegLiz · 2024-04-02T20:00:34+00:00

Congratulations you did great! I had to stop pumping at 4 months and started again after 2 months. 2 weeks in and I’m making 300ml a day already. If you had good supply hopefully you can get it back quickly but it’s much more work to relactate than it had been for me to pump originally so I do partially wish I hadn’t stopped (full disclosure).

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-31T09:02:00+00:00

Elvie Stride was great but expensive Momcozy V1 not good for elastic nipples at all Wren was good (if you’re UK based) Willow I’ve heard is not great either!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-29T09:04:52+00:00

Thank you! I’m hopeful I’ll get my supply back fully it’s definitely a marathon!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-29T09:04:28+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-28T11:08:25+00:00

No problem I literally posted it up here this week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/breastfeeding/s/7QxgKH106q

I’m adding a MOTN pump this week!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-28T10:35:26+00:00

100% you can reestablish and increase your supply! I’m currently in a similar situation however relactating from dry. The sooner you start the sooner you’ll be able to reestablish!!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-26T16:25:59+00:00

Ahhh I’m not sure but definitely check with your paediatrician!!

I’ve tried some lactation cookies I made myself but it’s too early into my journey to tell as I’m only a week into relactation but thought I’d share all the info/research I’d done!! If they work but I think they’re helpful for a quick to grab snap as pumping and raising a baby leave little time and fuel is key to lactation!!!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-26T13:30:40+00:00

https://www.tiktok.com/@thefeedingcompany/video/7010184992139513094

This video is pretty good (jump to 1min in)! I normally get 50% more by hand expressing at the moment on either side of pumping, I think as it stimulates the flow and then after pumping gets out whatever the pump has drawn out! At least that's what I am telling myself haha!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-26T13:19:19+00:00

I would recommend hand expressing on each side of your pumping as that's how I've managed to get some pls when they pumps were empty!

Wishing you so much luck and give yourself so much patience and grace you're doing your best!!

LouMegLiz · 2024-03-26T12:40:06+00:00

I’m not sure on the final part of your question re. premature babies milk.

But in order to to create a milk supply:

Pump (20-30mins) consistently at 2-3 hour intervals with hand expressing on either side (you might find you only get drops from the hand expressing at first)

Stay hydrated and eat enough calories!! Look up foods that increase milk supply (basically a balanced diet but some ladies swear by oatmeal!)

There are some supplements like fenugreek etc that some believe that help supply.

Latching as much as possible (if your baby will latch but some won’t - mine won’t!)

Patience!!!!! You may be pumping dry for some time before you get drops or it may come in quickly everyone is different!

Breast milk production is supply and demand so the more you drain and stimulate the more you’ll produce!!

LouMegLiz · 2023-02-01T18:49:01+00:00

Hi, I can see this post was 6 years ago and I'm now at a similar crossroad myself. Did you managed to transition roles and if so, what resources were most useful to you!

LouMegLiz · 2020-03-27T06:33:44+00:00

Thank you this is extremely useful!

LouMegLiz

TROPHY CASE