Expert: ruth kraft - 1/9/2009

Question
As my son is getting older I am noticing that he is eating a little less and I am pumping a little less. Where I was pumping 4 oz, I am now doing a good 2oz. I have continued to pump at work the times my son is supposed to be nursing. Is this normal?  If not what can I do to increase my milk supply? I drink a lot of water.
Another thing, should I have milk stored in the freezer and if so how would I achieve this while nursing, and pumping at work? Right now what I pump during the day at work is for my son to have for the following day. Should I be doing something different?

Answer
You don't really say how old you son is so that would be helpful information.  but I will try to answer anyway... if he is about 6-9 months old or older, then what you are experiencing is very normal. after 6 months, they have more of a desire for table food rather than all milk, plus he will get far more from nursing from you than the pump will be able to. Babies are far more efficient than any breast pump ever dreamed of being.

you can do several things to increase your milk supply, you can start by pumping more frequently if you have the time at night and in the morning esp before you go to work. milk is most plentiful in the morning.you can try drinking mothers milk tea or taking fenugreek capsules. those are two things that help quite often. there are other ways but those are the first three I would try. breasts produce on a supply and demand schedule. chances are , while pumping at work you may have missed a couple days of a growth spurt which the baby does , while nursing to increase supply. because you aren't able to pump the way a baby nurses your body didn't get the clue and likely thinks your weaning some. so pump more, esp on off times for a while and you should see an increase.

Its a personal choice to store milk or not. you don't have to. if you want to, for a just in case, you are more than welcome to. but there is no right or wrong here. what you don't pump during the day for, your baby will make up for while he is with you at night.

Congrats on working so hard at this! I was also a working pumping mom and know its not the easiest thing in the world to do! if you have trouble finding the milk or want samples let me know and I can send you a few.

Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com