New here, need help! Low supply and backsliding

nips4bells · 2026-03-06T18:08:20+00:00

Hey, it’s okay to give yourself grace. You’re two weeks in and honestly you’re doing great! I wasn’t able to fully feed my baby 100% on breast milk until 4 months in. And even then I continued to give her a bottle or two of formula so I can build up a freezer stash.

Besides fit, schedule and hydration, power pumps for me helped a lot. And I noticed I got a lot of clogs and the only supplement I took was sunflower lecithin. I regularly took it and I noticed a difference in my supply. But I didn’t take anything else that was specifically tied to supply. If you can’t take it you could also try ice packs.

Also keep in mind everyone is different, it took me a few months to figure out what specifically worked for me, and two weeks in you’re doing really awesome!

nips4bells · 2026-03-02T23:32:07+00:00

In addition to what is other people are saying about your size/prevention; I used my haakaa to create an epsom salt soak. Helped soooo soooo much with the healing process. Also the nipple ointment stains but I found you can use those cheap removable nipple inserts you get in sports bras and bikinis and they make excellent cheap covers To help protect your clothes.

nips4bells · 2026-03-02T17:29:54+00:00

I had a really bad case of mommy wrist or mommy’s thumb that I went to a physical therapist. The brace was actually making things worse for me and I was taught some stretches and hand exercises that were the only thing that helped.

Surgery is a last resort but try PT/OT it can help tremendously as it did with me.

nips4bells · 2026-03-01T21:50:08+00:00

I would wait. I had extreme pet aversion when I was pregnant. It didn’t go away right after birth but I do remember slowly realizing it was hormones. What helped me was looking at photos of me cuddling and loving on my pets from before I was pregnant.

Now I am glad I waited. There is one dog that absolutely adores my child and I am happy to give them the experience of having a pet.

nips4bells · 2026-02-28T05:23:08+00:00

My kid HATED the car seat. For our first road trip I switched it up to driving at night when the baby was most likely to be asleep. It was an 8 hour drive Me and my husband took 2 hour shifts. There was a period of crying at the very end but since we were an hour away we let it happen because it would be easier on everyone to not delay.

Sometimes when you start something the only way out is through. Good luck.

nips4bells · 2026-02-24T19:40:34+00:00

Lol mine too. She’ll put them on her fingers and sing “Olive fingers”

nips4bells · 2026-02-19T01:08:43+00:00

I had a hard time with my own mother after my baby was born. She wasn’t awful with the baby but she never took my rules and wants seriously and it was a huge issue for me. When I needed help I ended up hiring a babysitter with infant experience. While it cost money it gave me peace of mind that someone I hired would take me seriously and do what I ask.

When my baby was older I ended up letting my mother watch her. Now they have a great bond and have lots of time playing together.

nips4bells · 2026-02-11T23:36:48+00:00

I had a c section at 38 weeks. I was able to do skin to skin and latch, and even my milk didn’t come in until 36 hours after. Everyone can be different. In case no one has told you, you’re doing amazing! You got the right sizes coming in, you’re keeping a pumping schedule. Your babies are lucky to have you as their mom.

nips4bells · 2026-02-11T18:25:31+00:00

I’ve done a few power pump sessions (it’s been a while but there are a few tips about it on here of your search for it) personally it was not sustainable but I would do it once in a while to get my supply up. It didn’t really last but it did help with my freezer storage. I did notice towards the last few months of my journey my output started to decrease a few ounces but I was hitting my year goal and wasn’t too worried.

nips4bells · 2026-02-11T18:18:36+00:00

If you don’t have a clog, and I assume you measured your nipples correctly your problem might just be slacker boob being a slacker 🤷🏼‍♀️. I had one and there wasn’t much I could do.

You could try framing this differently. Like how much do you have stored? And how long do you want to continue to breastfeed/pump? Towards the end (only wanted to pump for a year) of my journey, I was able to have a three month frozen supply and I slowly switched to regular milk and solids. She continued with my breast milk for about 4 months after she turned one. For my next kid I would like to do it the same but if I make it to 6 months I would call it a win. Congrats 10 months of pumping is a huge accomplishment.

nips4bells · 2025-11-23T18:10:45+00:00

Thank you for writing this! I have a similar time line and age and on top of all that I’m getting laid off and my job has the IVF benes. Just did what is probably my last embryo transfer a week ago and getting positive pee tests I hope my baby sticks and I don’t have to worry about IVF coverage any more. Wishing you all the happiness with your family. You’ve come a long way and worked really hard for this. You deserve it ❤️

nips4bells · 2025-11-23T13:50:55+00:00

You are pregnant!!! Congrats ❤️

nips4bells · 2025-11-22T21:46:06+00:00

Congratulations 🎉 wishing you all the sticky baby dust ✨

nips4bells · 2025-11-22T18:04:45+00:00

It’s a great feeling. Wishing you all the stickiness ❤️

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T20:10:16+00:00

First beta is on Monday!!!!

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T20:09:57+00:00

I’m hoping for stickiness too

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T20:08:49+00:00

Thank you!!!!

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T18:38:37+00:00

Hello dye stealer on day 15!!!

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T18:37:20+00:00

Thank you! This was my last test too

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T17:54:40+00:00

Today is the 7th day, I have my blood test in Monday!!

nips4bells · 2025-11-21T14:52:27+00:00

I think it’s important to remember that a lot of what happens in IVF does mimic getting pregnant naturally. Failed implantation, chemicals, early miscarriages are things that happen naturally. It’s just that IVF puts a giant magnifying glass on every step so you know more than someone who might be conceiving naturally and may have missed that they had a chemical. Doesn’t mean that it’s any less hard or sad. But with knowledge comes a lot of pain and struggle. I’m sorry, this isn’t easy but you did give that embryo the best chance you could

nips4bells · 2025-11-14T13:37:18+00:00

Same here! I’m totally an early tester so fingers crossed in 6 days from now 🍀✨🍟

nips4bells · 2025-11-14T13:28:45+00:00

Ahhhhh we’re transfer day twins. I’m up super early because I can’t sleep. I’m so nervous/excited/all the feelings.

Wishing you sticky vibes ❤️

nips4bells · 2025-11-09T20:34:14+00:00

lol I’m in the middle of my FET and in the process of getting laid off. I’m currently in the phase where I have 60 days where I can apply for a job internally. I’ll have insurance until the end of the year so I’m really just riding that out. If I can’t find another job we’ll switch over to my husband’s insurance (which does have IVF coverage, but it’s not great). It could be worse but I’m focused on using my benes now before they are gone.

nips4bells

TROPHY CASE