AHHH! How do people manage?

Star4221

I have returned to work full time and feel like all I do is pump all day long! I teach special education and if it weren't for my paraprofessionals I don't know how I could continue breastfeeding! I pump every 2 hours for 15-20 minutes while at work and pump after every feeding I am with Jackson and have now been getting 14 or more ounces total for the day. Thankfully while he is at daycare he is only eating 9 ounces or so. I just feel like my job is suffering but I don't want to pump less and affect my supply. I am still taking fenugreek and am looking into making lactation cookies to help productivity hopefully! How the heck do ladies do it?!?

Mijita

Are you snacking during pumping sessions, staying hydrating and eating well (not skimping on calories)?

Frantastic

I hated pumping at work. Eventually I stopped when my son was 4.5 months. It was just too much of a hassle.

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Star4221

@Mijita I try to snack and drink lots of water throughout the day. I don't think I am skimping at all. It is so frustrating not to be pumping more so I try to pump every time he eats to keep stimulating some supply and demand.

captivated

You can move to pumping every 3 hours and it won't have much, if any, effect on your supply

Star4221

@Homebirthadvocate that is how I feel too! I really don't want to have to supplement with any formula and I would love to breastfeed for at least a year. I just wish I could find a way to pump more efficiently at work and not have a negative effect on my already low supply! I will feed and pump one side at the same time in the morning to go faster but otherwise I feed from both sides and pump after for 20 minutes. At work I pump every 2 hours for 20 minutes and get 2 to 2 1/2 ounces each time.

Star4221

@Captivated for a normal person I would think that if they pumped every 3 hours instead of 2 then they would pump more volume at each session but it doesn't seem to make a difference with me. No matter what it always weeks I only get 2 to 2 1/2 ounces.each time so my theory is that I can get an extra 2 oz with the extra session at work. maybe I am wrong and doing more harm than good? I don't know...{sigh}

Star4221

@Captivated I would love if it doesn't affect supply though!

caroline8_p

Definitly every 3 hrs. I was the same when I first pumped at work, every 2 hrs on the dot for 15-20 min (but I could work and pump at the same time). I took 9 fenugreek pills a day, 3 at each meal.. I didnt pump after feedings though.

Star4221

@caroline8_p 9 pills a day...that seems like a ton! I wish I could pump and work at the same time! Would make it so much easier!

caroline8_p

Its to help inctease milk supple. It worked for me. I got 18oz one day.

Ourlittlenugget

Make sure you're also eating lactogenic foods. There's whole list ....

Star4221

I was able to pump 18 1/2 oz today...maybe that's okay.

Star4221

That was pumping after each feeding and 4 times at work. I also take fenugreek 3 times a day at 1500mg...could the dose be increased and still okay and safe?