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This one is about: Increasing Milk Supply When Pumping

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Increasing Milk Supply When Pumping
     Tips from Michelle Telling

My tips on increasing milk supply (and keeping it going - 7.5 months so far for me, still going strong)

1. Use a double pump - ie both sides at once to make the most of the let downs.

2. Do something relaxing/fun while pumping, don't focus on it so much that you stress out about it. Read a good book, watch tv, chat on widesmiles...

3. Best way to increase supply is the old rule of the more often you do it, the more you will get. I generally pump every 3 hours during the day (7am,10,1,4,7,10pm) but to increase supply would go to 2 or 2.5 hours. This is a drag but I have found the most effective way to do.

4. The only other thing which I really found to increase supply is a drug called Maxalon. It is an anti-nausea drug given to pregnant women so has no (apparent) side effects. I was very against using it, but tried it in desperation at about 4 months - worked a wonder in increasing supply within a couple of days. I haven't had much success with herbal stuff - there seems to be so many different remedies and would be expensive to find the one which works for me.

5. I also find lots of caffeine decreases my supply - I think when pumping rather than proper breastfeeding, the body is very sensitive to stimuli like this. My theory anyway, I never had a problem with Chrissie when bf but try to minimize coffee & coke with Rebecca.

6. Lots of rest (haha) and water of course all help - I usually drink a glass when pumping.

So there's my 2c worth. I have found it got easier over time, I had a tough time around 3-4 months but now it is just second nature, part of my life. I wish you all the best with it, try not to get too stressed about it. I did at the beginning, and even now I don't really like giving her formula, but it is still good stuff and they will thrive on it too.