Expert: ruth kraft - 4/6/2009

Question
I used to pump and feed expressed milk by bottle for the first few months because of trouble with my DD latching. I now exclusively breastfeed. I would like to express some milk for occassional bottles for a babysitter to be able to watch my child but I don't get enough milk out to fill a bottle anymore when I pump. My DD seems to be gaining weight well. She is 7 mos and 17lbs. She was 5.8 lbs when born (6 weeks premature). Should I consider taking herbal supplements to increase my supply? Also, I don't know how much she eats since I only breastfeed her. She seems to nurse quite frequently. Every 2-3 hrs but is never fussy after she eats. I have just recently started her on oatmeal cereal mixed with breastmilk (about 1 Tbs dry) once daily and she will still feed before and after this.


Answer
Your daughter nurses a whole lot more efficiently than the pump will. so don't gauge what she is getting by what the pump gets.

try pumping in the morning as that is when your milk supply is at its highest. if you pump a couple times, you should get although milk for a feeding . maybe even too. depending on how often you are going out, you can pump more than once on a regular basis and this will increase your supply at that time for pumping alone. just keep up the routine and the milk will come in at that time every day.

Good luck! congrats on nursing the preemie :)