Expert: ruth kraft - 8/4/2009

Question
Hello Ruth,
My son is 2 1/2 months old I breastfed him exclusively for 3 weeks then due to educational requirements and having older children with extracurricular activities I started supplementing with formula, this gradually started becoming more frequent until my milk supply decreased I was able to re-establish my milk then but I have recently returned to work I have noticed that when I pump I only get 2 oz with both breasts where as before I was getting 4 oz with both breasts.  Since my son was about 1 1/2 month old I have used bottles and pumped to feed him except for feedings with formula at night.  I really have been on an up and down roller coaster with the breastfeeding but I am not happy with where I am right now.  I want to increase my milk supply but have not been able to do that with pumping as I am getting only 2 oz from both breasts and I pump every 2 1/2 - 3 hours.  My dream situation is to get my son to nurse when I am present but to pump and have enough milk to do away with formula.  Is this possible even though I have gone back to work and I am not able to pump or nurse every hour or so to try to increase my milk and get my son to start nursing again?  Please help I am upset that i can't have that closing with breastfeeding as I once had this is my first time breastfeeding and he is my 3rd child and i enjoyed breastfeeding.  please help!!

Answer
Hello, my suggestion would be to pump every 2 hours while you are with him and as often as you can at work for the next 2-3 weeks. You can also take mothers milk tea , and fenugreek pills to help build supply. you can get those at a health food place like whole foods. Also continue to nurse as much as possible. These are the top things I would start with. you should see an increase if these three things are done... and of course, not to stress too much... easier said than done I know :0

Try that and see what happens. Yes its possible to reestablish milk. esp since you already have it in !

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