# How can I increase the volume of breastmilk I produce/express? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125 "2011-11-16T15:05:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Normal\_Phase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Normal\_Phase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Normal_Phase)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/21 "2011-11-17T13:23:17Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > One for the mothers (and well educated others) of the board: > > My now 11 1/2 month old baby self-weaned last month, and won’t go back on the boob (she either screams hysterically at the sight of them, or points and laughs, depending on her mood). > > I’ve been expressing milk for her ever since, first with a manual pump, then with a Medela Swing. The first day I got 15oz in one go, but less than a month later, I’m struggling to get 3oz from both breasts in a session, despite taking Fenugreek and Milk Thistle. > > I pump three times a day, morning, after lunch and evening, and have had to give her the occasional bottle of formula as supply is not keeping up with demand ☹ > > Advice please? The issue is pretty obviously just lack of demand (15 ounces at one time to begin with? OMG.) Three times a day isn’t really enough to keep anyone’s supply up with pumping, unfortunately, as you’ve found out. You might recover some of your supply if you’re able to pump more often, but it would probably need to be at least twice as often to make any significant difference, and it might not work. You may yet be able to get your daughter to nurse again – google “nursing strike” and see if anything you find looks like it might be applicable to you. If she does, your supply could still rebound to the point where it’s sufficient for a one year old. This also may not work, but assuming you want your daughter to nurse/get breastmilk on an ongoing basis, as it seems you do, I believe it’s probably your best shot. Calling La Leche would probably be helpful for in-person help. If you have the money or good insurance you could also try looking for a lactation consultant. If you want me to help you get contact information for those, or more detailed help with finding information or anything, send me a PM. I went through the process of becoming a La Leche leader myself a few years ago (though never followed through with actually doing it), so I could probably help you out if you hit any snags. Don’t let people make you feel silly for wanting this. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/22 "2011-11-17T13:23:17Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > This means that those who do not breast feed until 12 months MUST use either formula OR start cows milk earlier than recommended (after checking with a paediatrician). What about goat’s milk? I realize it’s not universally available, but I’ve heard that it’s a reasonable alternative to cow’s milk. True or not? ---
**Author:** ![Normal\_Phase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Normal\_Phase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Normal_Phase)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/23 "2011-11-17T13:27:57Z")
Oh, and while the advice of several posters on teas and foods and such certainly won’t hurt, I don’t thikn it’s likely to make much of a difference by itself. It doesn’t touch the real issue. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/24 "2011-11-17T13:40:55Z")
I wouldn’t pump for an hour at a time. My understanding is that the hormone surge that increases production mostly occurs at the onset of pumping/nursing. You might do better to pump more often, but for much less time (like ten minutes) each time. And I’d call your pediatrician. They can give you guidance as far as switching to cow’s milk two weeks early. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/25 "2011-11-17T14:13:50Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > Ah, that’s interesting. I’ll step up the Swing to its full suction then, to see if that helps. I’ve not had it on full strength as my poor boobs are starting to look a bit like they’re covered in lovebites thanks to the pumping! Try it, but don’t hurt yourself. Putting yourself in pain is the LAST thing you want if you’re trying to maintain a supply. I had a Swing when my daughter was born, and the darn thing couldn’t extract a single drop from me during the two weeks I was trying to breastfeed her. We coughed up the cash to buy a PumpInStyle, and it magically began to extract whole ounces at a time–sometimes multiple ones. So, for whatever reason, the big pumps manage to extract milk without causing the nipple trauma that comes with just turning up suction. I later read that the Swing is designed for occasional pumping by women with well-established milk supplies. I guess that’s why it didn’t work for me. ---
**Author:** ![chinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@chinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chinky)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/26 "2011-11-17T14:15:03Z")
hi everyone i am newbie…i hope my hello will get some responses ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/27 "2011-11-17T14:31:48Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > … > > I’ve thought about hiring a hospital grade one, but as various people have pointed out, she can go onto cows milk in two weeks time, so I just need to struggle through till then. And yes, it is a struggle - I pumped for an hour this morning, got 4oz for her lunchtime bottle, but during that hour she ran riot round the living room, trailed a leaking pooey nappy across the rug, found the remote controls for _everything_, then plaintively tugged at my skirt for me to come and play with her ☹ > > And yes, she’s been on solids since 6 months, but she’s not hugely fond of plain water or fruit juice, so I’ve been worried about dehydration. > > I wonder if cutting back on coffee would help? Caffeine is a diuretic so that might make your body less willing to throw away fluids on breastmilk. Really, at this point I’d give up - you’re spending nonhappy time doing the pumping when you could be looking after / playing with your daughter, 2 weeks is not going to make a huge difference. If you keep water freely available (or juice if needed but dilute it, the stuff is really just empty calories) she won’t dehydrate especially since it’s not hot outdoors. The nutrition she might be getting from a few ounces of breastmilk a day can easily be met by other foods. One thing I did to try to encourage Moon Unit to nurse was as soon as she refused the breast, she didn’t get bottles at all (except for the few bottles of stored breastmilk). Water etc. was in a sippy cup. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/28 "2011-11-17T15:31:43Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Really, at this point I’d give up - you’re spending nonhappy time doing the pumping when you could be looking after / playing with your daughter, 2 weeks is not going to make a huge difference. If you keep water freely available (or juice if needed but dilute it, the stuff is really just empty calories) she won’t dehydrate especially since it’s not hot outdoors. The nutrition she might be getting from a few ounces of breastmilk a day can easily be met by other foods. I agree with this wholeheartedly. Two weeks shouldn’t make a difference; as stated earlier, call your pediatrician to allay any fears. If I were in the same situation, I’d start transitioning her now - offer her a cup of milk, then the breastmilk - otherwise, you’ll have to keep pumping for hours on end only to wind up frustrated. Also, one very important thing to remember: \*you can’t argue with a baby/toddler who’s decided she’s done. \*Same for your body. When it’s done, it’s done. That’s not to say that comfort nursing is out, but there’s no point in holding out for two more weeks just to say you’ve made it to a year. Just my two cents, of course. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/29 "2011-11-17T17:14:07Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > . . . > > And yes, it is a struggle - I pumped for an hour this morning, got 4oz for her lunchtime bottle, but during that hour she ran riot round the living room, trailed a leaking pooey nappy across the rug, found the remote controls for _everything_, then plaintively tugged at my skirt for me to come and play with her ☹ > > And yes, she’s been on solids since 6 months, but she’s not hugely fond of plain water or fruit juice, so I’ve been worried about dehydration. > > I wonder if cutting back on coffee would help? Honestly, I think you are torturing yourself for no real benefit. Your child needs you interacting with her, not sitting around causing yourself unecessary pain. It would be great if it was still working and she was still interested. But it’s not, and she’s not, and there are more important things you could be focusing that time and effort on. It’s OK to just give yourself a break and move on to toddlerhood. Try water at different temperatures in a sippy cup. Celtling needs her water freezing cold with lots of ice. One of nephews will only drink it warm. Just resist the urge to give her super-sweet juices, as thta sets her up with a sweet-tooth that can cause all kinds of feeding problems. Fruit juice is really just empty calories. Give her orange slices and a cup of water instead of orange juice. Children all have their own rhythms and rates of growth. She may go full speed ahead in one direction and be a bit behind in another. It’s OK. The key is to be in touch enough to adjust to her timetable. Don’t let some arbitrary list of “perfect” dates and milestones run your decisionmaking. She is her own little human with her own little brain and her own little preferences. Pick your battles verrrrryyyyy carefully. LOL! ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/30 "2011-11-17T17:34:25Z")
> [@chinky](#): > > hi everyone i am newbie…i hope my hello will get some responses Hi, and welcome to the Straight Dope. The best way to begin interacting here is to jump into threads that interest you and post your opinions and thoughts on the topic. If you have some advice for the person who started the thread (whom we call the OP, for Original Post), please share. I hope you’ll look around and feel comfortable enough to become a contributing member. Again, welcome! Ellen Cherry IMHO Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/31 "2011-11-17T19:29:09Z")
> [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > The issue is pretty obviously just lack of demand (15 ounces at one time to begin with? OMG.) She picked a weekend away to go on strike 🙂 By the time I made it back to a pump to express, my chest was rock solid with milk and spraying across the room if you looked at it hard enough! I filled three bottles without pausing… blessed relief… (yet I still couldn’t get the hang of manual expressing. weird body…) > [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > Three times a day isn’t really enough to keep anyone’s supply up with pumping, unfortunately, as you’ve found out. You might recover some of your supply if you’re able to pump more often, but it would probably need to be at least twice as often to make any significant difference, and it might not work. Ah, I’d hoped it might be working partly the other way - if I gave my body a few hours to produce more milk, I might have more luck filling a bottle. I certainly seem to get most in the mornings after it builds up over night. No such luck! > [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > You may yet be able to get your daughter to nurse again – google “nursing strike” and see if anything you find looks like it might be applicable to you. If she does, your supply could still rebound to the point where it’s sufficient for a one year old. This also may not work, but assuming you want your daughter to nurse/get breastmilk on an ongoing basis, as it seems you do, I believe it’s probably your best shot. The articles I found made it seem like if she wasn’t back on after a week, then it wasn’t going to happen. I still offer her a boob every so often just in case, which is why I know she points and laughs now. That’s cute in it’s own way 🙂 > [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > Calling La Leche would probably be helpful for in-person help. If you have the money or good insurance you could also try looking for a lactation consultant. If you want me to help you get contact information for those, or more detailed help with finding information or anything, send me a PM. I went through the process of becoming a La Leche leader myself a few years ago (though never followed through with actually doing it), so I could probably help you out if you hit any snags. I’m in Scotland, the La Leche lot aren’t big over here. Is it still worth sending you a PM? 🙂 > [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > Don’t let people make you feel silly for wanting this. Thank you! I was a bit thrown by the people who seemed to think I’m looking for advice on whether to express, rather than how to. Thankfully I’m secure in my decision. Of course, I was sure she wouldn’t get formula at all and I’d pump enough for her - right up until the words “free bar” on my all inclusive holiday last week, followed by her getting her first bottle of formula the morning after 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ProbablyProcrastinating](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@ProbablyProcrastinating](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ProbablyProcrastinating)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/32 "2011-11-18T07:22:23Z")
Some people can’t pump, others have trouble with manual expression. I could do the latter, not the former. No idea why. I know a lot of people that expressed/pumped out of guilt… that’s why I offered comfort if it didn’t work out. Sorry if that was insensitive. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/33 "2011-11-18T09:14:12Z")
No problem, you offered good advice too! I got 5oz in 50 mins this morning - a definite improvement on yesterday, woo! She still chose that 50 mins to fill her nappy, but it didn’t leak this morning, so things are looking better all round 😉 Thanks everyone! ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/34 "2011-11-18T16:08:26Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > 🙂 By the time I made it back to a pump to express, my \*\*chest was rock solid with milk \*\*and spraying across the room if you looked at it hard enough! > > **I’m in Scotland, the La Leche lot aren’t big over here.** Is it still worth sending you a PM? 🙂 > > **Thank you! I was a bit thrown by the people who seemed to think I’m looking for advice on whether to express, rather than how to.** Thankfully I’m secure in my decision. Ouch! Been there, it wasn’t pleasant. Sorry if I seem to be pressuring the other way. I’m in the US, where the breast-feeding Nazi’s will literally attack you in the supermarket if they see you with a can of formula and harass you all they way to the car about the horrendous disservice you are doing to your child by not breast feeding until Kindergarten. There are quite a few American Mothers who need someone to let them know it’s really OK to just let it go. The last thing I want to do is come across as the anti-Leche league. LOL! ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/35 "2011-11-18T16:29:11Z")
You should pat yourself on the back. You’ve nursed your daughter for nearly a year. That’s great. I am pumping because my baby never latched. She’s nearly seven months. I’d be delighted if I got her breast milk that long. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/36 "2011-11-18T17:04:27Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > There are quite a few American Mothers who need someone to let them know it’s really OK to just let it go. The last thing I want to do is come across as the anti-Leche league. LOL! This is true. My son quit nursing at 5 1/2 month because he was hospitalized with a sever respiratory virus. The same virus made me very sick, but not hospitalized. I can’t tell you how many people thought I should be pumping, but throwing out the milk (because of the virus) so I could keep up my supply and then start breast feeding again. I just couldn’t do it. I was too sick and too worried about my kid to worry about the correctness of breastfeeding. Even 13 yrs later during “how long did you breastfeed” discussions, I still get, “you could have pumped” lectures. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/37 "2011-11-18T18:32:04Z")
Go me. I had such a crummy time trying to breastfeed that when I decided to just go with formula, the breastfeeding consultant told me that was the right decision. ---
**Author:** ![ProbablyProcrastinating](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@ProbablyProcrastinating](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ProbablyProcrastinating)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125/38 "2011-11-19T04:36:07Z")
Glad it’s working out. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-increase-the-volume-of-breastmilk-i-produce-express/603125.md?page=1)