Expert: ruth kraft - 11/21/2009

Question
Hello,
I am not sure where to start… I have twin boys who are almost 6 weeks old. They  are both on formula. They came a bit early – 35 weeks and right from the hospital, they were given formula with bottle nipples…. ( I had no idea this could be problematic in terms of them feeding later on from the breast). After 4 days of delievery I left the hospital and was not producing any milk at all. After a week, I started breast pumping but with little or no result also I was trying to get them to latch on but it was very difficult.
Now, they are still on formula. I have rented a hospital twin grade pump – Ameda egnell @ elite and have been using it consistently every 2-3 hours for 10 days now and I only get  2 ounces from both breasts a day!!!!!!!!!!!!! On a single session I could get 10ml from both breasts. This hasn’t increased in 10 days….. in the morning I could get 20ml. it is quite frustrating.
I drink quaker oats twice a day, drink loads of water, taking fergreek tablets 610mg 2 tablets 3 times a day ( 4 days since I started), I drink milk.. not sure what else to do!
I notice that with the pump after 20 minutes session, when I hand express I still have a few drops of milk. Is it the case that the pump doesn’t empty my breast hence the milk supply is constant? Do I try pumping over 20 minutes until breast is emptied… Not sure how I can increase the milk supply. Please help. Thanks


Answer
Good for you for trying so hard right now! you have come a long way! 2 ounces of breastmilk is better than alot of babies get !  

A few other things you can try if you havent already,

First hire a lactation consultant or doula who is expert in breastfeeding to get the babies to latch on to you ! La leche league does free counceling if you are in a tight place for money.  that is THE BEST and most efficient way to get more milk by far.  It is possible, but will take some work. But if you put half the work you have into pumping, you will have success much quicker :)

second, you can try mothers milk tea , by traditional medicinals. it is an herbal tea that often increases milk supply like fenugreek. Maybe your body isnt reacting well enough to the fenugreek. So switching it up it might help some.  You also may take both because its only been a few days on the fenugreek , and the two together might help a great deal. Sometimes it takes longer for someones body to react also.

As far as emptying the breast, it seems like its possible, but breastmilk is a supply and demand type thing. So if you leave those pumps on your breasts for 5 hours, you will continually get milk for 5 hours. but the let downs will get farther inbetween as you are waiting for your body to literally MAKE the milk. you don't need to do that. Every 2 hours is fine, continue on, as you are for a while. Your babies are 6 weeks old, so I know your frustrated, but your body doesnt know you are trying to nurse 2, and it has has a very hard start so your actually doing quite well :)

If youhave more questions please let me know. I hope that helped :)