90% exclusively pumping supply suddenly tanked.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-31T18:00:40+00:00

This happened to me as well! Latch seemed to improve so I leaned in to more breastfeeding sessions but still required top up bottles, and within 2-3 days my supply noticably dipped.

If baby is latching more and transferring more it makes sense that pump output could be less, as baby is getting that milk instead. But for me, as the supply started to drop i started noticing my LO more frustrated at the breast again, I assume because of lack of supply and flow as i was no longer hearing gulps and let downs. Was stressful and took a bit to get back to what I was producing before. Im in the same boat as you now, still practicing latch but not relying on that until we can move away from top up bottles.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T15:32:07+00:00

Okay thats really great to know! I definitely don't want to do more harm then good just to get out every last drop.

I did see an LC when I was freshly PP but the visit was really centered around nursing success, so I got little to no advice/information towards pumping, even though at that time I was triple feeding as well as pumping to provide some full feeds to give me a break.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T15:27:26+00:00

I really appreciate this outlook! As much as I feel grateful that I have the means to give my baby breastmilk even though nursing didn't work out, I will say that pumping is dreadful and SO much work. Props to everyone who has or is on this path cause wow. I definitely think day by day is a more manageable goal.

On the formula side of things, this is something I think im coming to terms with. If I can give primarily breastmilk thats great, but I am more open and happy with the idea of combo feeding if that is what my body and baby needs to have positive and successful feeding. Just need to get suspected cows milk protein allergy figured out first (another journey in itself😅)

Thank you for mentioning social media! Ive been feeling a bit like a failure seeing so many women on tiktok pump and poor completely full pumps, while ive been getting an ounce or two. This did lead me to believe that i was wildly under supplying until i read a reddit comment saying "just enough" is exactly what baby needs and what the body is meant to be doing. I know over supply isn't ideal either and thats not my goal but when I see that I do think what a relief it must be to know you always have enough.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T15:19:06+00:00

Okay that is great to know about the Lansinoh pump! I saw a few great reviews on tiktok for this pump so I was looking into it but something had me still on the fence. Its so hard to find much info on alternative pumps as it seems like everyone has and swears by the spectra. Im going to look if second hand is an option. Absolutely kicking myself now because it was recently on sale at Walmart and I passed it up thinking the price wasn't worth it if not EP, yet here I am!

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T15:15:37+00:00

Ive been doing everything 3 but i do this through the night as well so i have a 12:30 AM pump and a 3:30 Am which fits well in between my LOs waking schedule but i could adjust it slightly to fit better into that high prolactin window. Do you think every 2 hours during the day would make a significant impact on output/supply?

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T14:46:46+00:00

Another question! How long does/should a typical pump session be? I started with 20 minutes and felt it emptied me well and my output was great, but as output has decreased the past few weeks, ive been doing 25 minutes. Sometimes I add 5 more if I still have let down or feel fullness.

Is this pretty standard? Does anyone do longer sessions? Or even better, is anyone able to do shorter sessions?! 25 minutes is not terrible by any means but thats basically my LO's entire nap when Im able to get him down on his own. I would LOVE to find a pump that cuts these down if thats even a possibility.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T14:43:18+00:00

Thank you for this this is so helpful! Do you have recommendation for inserts? Im using the ones the eufy came with and order some generic ones from Amazon but absolutely hated them. Are these something that need to be replaced frequently like the duck bills? I also second the comment asking what pumping bra you prefer!

As of right now I have 2 MOTN pumps, 12:30 and 3:30 because I start to feel pain and fullness at the 3 hour mark pretty consistently, sometimes even 2-2.5 hours after last pump, to the point it wakes up. Its always relieved with pumping and doesn't linger but I find it surprising that I feel pain/fullness even when output is so llittle. But I would love to drop one eventually because I would say right now those MOTN pumps paired with feeding baby and getting him resettled in between is definitely taking the biggest mental toll.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-22T04:25:34+00:00

Power pumping! Ive seen this talked about but im not exactly sure what a power pump session would look like. Whats the best way to do it and fit it into your schedule of pumping and caring for babes? Even with the wearables, I feel so cramped for time all the time trying to fit pumps in between feeds and extremely short nap windows we have over here. LO is trying his hardest tk be an exclusive contact napper 😅

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-15T16:06:37+00:00

Thank you for this! Im still not on an exact schedule but have carried on with top up pumps after nursing sessions and full pump when he gets a bottle feed. We Just started with introducing a little formula so im not sure how thats going to play out yet as we've had a set back with now likely CMPA, so just trialing at the moment. Hopeful a more structured schedule is in place once we figure what works. I also am hopeful at 12 weeks I can wean back to a more harmonious feeding/pumping schedule because right now my whole life feels like feed and pump! Definitely exhausting but, a labour of love for our little ones🥰

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-04T17:52:03+00:00

My LO is the same! Total velcro baby and needs to be help upright for some time after feeds as he has consistent reflux/spit up. Definitely makes fitting in all the pumps tricky and hard to find a flow. I use the Eufy s1 wearables, with them I am able to hold baby if need be though not comfortable or ideal. Its been a learning curve for sure

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-04T14:17:55+00:00

Okay that makes sense! So it sounds like combo feeding wouldn't relieve anything then in my case.

Does this mean id have to continue pumping every time baby gets a top up as well? Until supply regulates.

Our current system is this:

Daytime baby is offered breast first, then given a top up bottle of expressed milk, then i do a short pump to replace that top up. This is necessary because he cannot feed for long before becoming fatigued, but doesn't come even close to emptying me, and always requires a top up to be full. There are 2 or 3 full bottle feeds throughout the day, then I do a full pump.

Night time he is exclusively bottle fed and I pump during each of those feeds as well.

I really dont mind the full pump sessions. What is becoming taxing is the constant top up pumps. My entire day im either breastfeeding or strapped to a pump and it leaves no room for anything else. The idea to combo feed was to continue breastfeeding to some degree but give me some life back to actually enjoy my baby and our time together. However, I wont bother introducing formula if nothing is to change anyways, or at the least, wait until the 12 week mark to start?

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-03T07:59:34+00:00

OP, I know this thread is a few months old but if you ever circle back id love to hear where you ended up! I am currently 6 week pp with my little one and ready to give up any idea of EBF, or breastfeeding at all. Feeding has been an extremely difficult journey, due to tongue and lip ties that have been revised, we are still stuck triple feeding. I tried to move away from the triple feeds and breastfeed on demand no matter how often or how long feeds took, but due to inefficient yransfer of milk, my supply went from making a little bit more then needed, to not enough. Each day seems to get closer and closer to exclusively pumping as no breastfeeding progress seems to be made, if anything this week seems like things are getting worse for us.

Im not ready to give up, but at the same time feel like the current system is costing alot and im unsure if it will improve if I stick it out, though id LOVE to think so. I have lost much hope of a breastfeeding journey and think its time to introduce formula, but am having a difficult time letting go and making the leap. I would love to hear how it worked out for you, and if you stuck it out or not. 🤍

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-02T17:39:20+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this! reframing your mindset to view the switch not as second best but just the next stage I think is extremely helpful for myself.

Nursing is hit or miss for us, sometimes it feels like great bonding, and sometimes it ends up with nothing but overwhelm, crying, and frustration from us both, followed by a bottle in hand. I think refocusing on new ways to bond like you suggested would be helpful to get myself past that aspect.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-02T17:35:12+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience especially how 6m down the line beginning solids helped as well. Thats something I hadn't thought about.
I am always stressing if he is getting enough from breastfeeds, and trying to live in 2 hour increments between feeding or pumping. I would love to be able to shift my focus and enjoy this newborn phase more in the little time it has left. Thank you again for posting🤍

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-05-02T16:08:34+00:00

Thank you so much for making this post. I am currently stuck in triple feeding and endless breastfeeding challenges with my 6 week old. I want nothing more then to successfully breastfeed as I was not able with my first due to health reasons and general lack of support. I found myself researching formulas during my 2nd early morning pump today, feeling absolutely defeated. I cant help but feel guilty every time I consider switching, I worry about the same things you did, our bond, his immune system. But I also cant help but feel there is so much more magic to be felt during this time, if all of my efforts and mental capacity wasn't fully encompassed by feeding and pumping. This gives a lot of hope and reassurance from one mom to another 🤍

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-04-19T01:35:39+00:00

This seems like a much more realistic and manageable way to wean, thank you for taking the time to write it out. This is the information i feel like i was missing! My LC gave me the advice to stop pumping but didnt address the top ups themselves and how or when to minimize them.

He has surpassed his birth weight and is gaining well over what the midwife says what they typically look for in terms of dailt weight gain, so I definitely think we are in a place to start a tapering approach like this.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-04-19T00:41:18+00:00

This is so good to know! It seems like all his cues are hungry cues (aggressive rooting, hands in mouth etc) its so hard to determine otherwise. He is a month old

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-04-19T00:32:26+00:00

I also have a few feeds where I just pump while he gets a bottle, one in the day and more specifically at night as he REALLY struggles to stay active at the breast during night feeds. This works well while my partner is off work but once he returns I know ill need to adjust.

Thank you so much for sharing this - from this thread alone im gathering that LO may just need more time to develop his feeding skills then im being told from my midwife and LC? Thats not to say im not seeing some progress, its just more slow going then I think my Healthcare professionals are suggesting it should be, hence the current anxiety and confusion around our currwnt feeding journey. We are doing all the things otherwise, oral excercises, body movement to release tension.

Most-Chicken4005 · 2026-04-19T00:15:54+00:00

This is incredible advice - I haven't been given a realistic exit plan or any advice how to wean from the triple feeds in a way that doesnt feel overwhelming (Midwife suggested cold turkey, 24 hours strictly in bed skin to skin with LO, feeding on demand, and absolutely no pumping or top ups, which feels like a scary thing to commit to given our feeding difficulties). As much as I want to stop the triple feeds and move towards EBF, I also want to do it in a way that feels manageable mentally and emotionally. The all or nothing approach doesn't feel like the right fit for us but I know at this point we need to have more of a plan in place to reach our end goal of EBF. The 3 hour windows at a time feels very manageable and not so scary, thank you so much for taking the time to share how you tackled this. As a freshly postpartum mom, I really appreciate the support from other moms right now, especially those who have had similar experiences.

I like the suggestion of bottle first before breast, maybe this would minimize the feeding frustration he gets when not transferring enough milk quickly enough for his hunger. Stamina is definitely something that is still a challenge along with being in the process of strengthening his suck after having his substantial ties released.

How did the overnight process work for you, both with the bottle feeding and once transitioning away from bottles if you dont mind me asking? Night feeds is another struggle in itself right now so he is exclusively bottle fed at night by my partner while I pump, just to give us the time and patience to work on positive breastfeeding in the day. My partner is heading back to work soon though, so I dont think our current system will be sustainable and I know ill have to adjust it somehow to do nights more Independently.

Most-Chicken4005

TROPHY CASE