Working and Pumping

My son, Caleb, is 5 1/2 months old and I've been working and pumping for 3 months.  Over the course of this time I typically pumped 12-15 ozs in 2 pumps.  DS was eating 12 ozs while I was gone for 11-12 hours. 

Three weeks ago I got mastsis.  My pumping output on that side went down to about 1-2 ozs each pump instead of it's usual 3-4 ozs.  I also got a really bad cold at about the same time that is still hanging on.

Since my milk hasn't come back on that side to where it was before I've been dipping into the freezer stash for one bottle a day.  This week I started fenugreek to try to up my output.  Now I'm getting 12 ozs a day again, but it's mostly from the good side.  The side that had the infection isn't producing any more.

To top it all off, I think my son is going through a growth spurt.  He's had 15 ozs the last two days when I've been away.  I've been nursing as much as possible.  I can't fit another pump into my day but have been trying to pump a little longer each time and my freezer stash is down to about 50 ozs.

 Caleb has never had formula and I'd love to keep it that way.  I'm just afraid that this trend is going to continue and I'm not going to have enough milk to keep up with him.  I want to start solids soon and don't want that to make things worse.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

    

Kim, mommy to Caleb Matthew 5/20/09

 

Ugh, sorry about the mastitis.  That can be a real hassle!  I didn't have it until DD was 2 years old, but man I felt like I was run over by a truck!

Your weaker side may not ever come all the way back, but as long as the other side makes up for it, it shouldn't matter.  (or the weaker side may recover just fine - you just never know)

If you haven't yet checked kellymom, here are some good links:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html/
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html

You mention being gone 11-12 hours.  Given that separation, 12 oz is certainly reasonable, so overfeeding shouldn't be a problem.  Is the long separation due to a long commute, or do you work longer shifts?  If you're working longer shifts, do you work fewer/week?  Do you have an extra day off?  Do you pump at home on weekends/days off?  Even if you just pump once a day on the weekends, if you get a few oz each day, you may be able to cover some of your weekday shortfall.

Hopefully this temporary increase to 15 oz is literally a growth spurt and he'll get back to what you're better able to produce.  Then any weekend pumped milk can replenish your stash.

As far as solids, I would say try to minimize giving solids at home for now, except perhaps on a weekend when he's nursing all day.  Solids always *after* a BFing so that it doesn't decrease the amount he nurses.  If he does well w/ a solid on the weekend, then they can do it at daycare.  At daycare, if he has solids before a bottle, it might help to "stretch" the EBM a little.  On work nights, NO SOLIDS at home, b/c you want him to nurse as much as possible to keep your supply up.

I certainly think you can do this!  You've done a great job thus far, and I think you can reach your goal.  Keep up the good work!!!

*SPENCER* 41 year old Mami of a toddler!  

  

  

 

I don't think you need to worry.

In fact I'd say you should count your blessing to get 12+ ounces out of just two pumps. :-)

When my son was 5 months old, I was pumping SEVEN TIMES A FRACKIN DAY to get 11 ounces into the fridge for the next day.

If you want more milk in the fridge, just pump more.