This is a guest post by Jennafer of Growing the Tuckers. To learn more about Jennafer, check out her bio at the end of this post.
If you’re breastfeeding or pumping and your supply is decreasing, you could be making one of these huge mistakes.
Breastfeeding is a privilege and it takes sacrifice in many ways. One of those ways is by spending time attached to a breast pump.
I don’t think anyone enjoys pumping but it’s just part of the breastfeeding journey sometimes. I was not able to breastfeed my daughter so I chose to exclusively pump for several months.
I googled so many things during that time and there was a lot of trial and error but I sure did learn a lot about breastmilk and milk supply.
I want to share some of those things with you today. Let’s go over some pumping mistakes you might be making that are causing a supply decrease.
1. Using the wrong flange size
The flange is the piece of the breast pump that is placed on your nipple.
If this piece doesn’t fit correctly then you might not be getting good suction which could cause issues with your supply as well as pain.
To ensure that you have the right size flange you can check out this article from Medela explaining it in detail.
2. Not pumping often enough
In the beginning, it is suggested to pump or feed every 2-3 hours as this is what a newborns feeding schedule normally looks like.
This type of schedule allows your milk supply to fully come in and regulate to what your baby needs. As your baby gets older you can cut out some pumping sessions but you want to be careful.
If you notice that your breast milk supply is dropping you might want to try adding a pumping session back in.
You could also try power pumping to get your supply up if you notice a dip.
What is power pumping and how does it increase breast milk supply?
Power pumping is basically pumping on and off for an hour.
You pump for 20 minutes, rest for 20 minutes, and continue that cycle for an hour.
It is recommended to do this once a day to help increase breast milk supply. It’s one of the best milk boosters there is!
3. Not pumping long enough
Different people are going to tell you different things when it comes to how long you need to pump.
Rule of thumb is you need to pump at least 15-20 minutes.
Some people can get away with 10 and some have to go 30, it all really depends on your body.
That being said, if you notice a dip in your supply you could try upping your pumping time. This signals to the body that your baby needs more milk and that it needs to produce more.
4. Not drinking enough water
Water is crucial for breastmilk supply!
As a new mom I know it can be hard to remember to drink water during the day, but it’s important for keeping your milk supply up.
If you notice a supply try upping your water intake. I used to set alarms on my phone to remind me to drink water.
5. Not eating enough
It’s hard to remember to drink water but it’s also hard to remember to eat. You’re running around taking care of everyone but yourself so you don’t eat as much as you should.
This can cause your breastmilk supply to dip. Eating healthy can help you keep a healthy milk supply.
You can also try adding in some galactagogues to help increase your supply.
These are foods like oat, flaxseed, brewers yeast, and coconut milk. There are so many foods out there that can help you with your supply, you just have to look.
You can find some more suggestions for foods to boost your milk supply here.
6. Not using the right pump
Why are there so many breast pumps to choose from?!
It can be overwhelming and most people end up just going with whichever one their insurance covers but this might not be the best for your body.
Everyone is going to react differently to different pumps so you may have to try a few out first. Some people swear by Medela and you can rent them for a pretty decent price and try it out.
I loved my Spectra and the price point is amazing.
Breast pumps are an absolute essential! Make sure you have all of the breastfeeding essentials before the baby is born.
7. Not using the right settings on your pump
Google and YouTube are your friends here.
If you are a new mom, you are probably looking at your breast pump and wondering what in the world all those buttons are for.
Look up videos with your specific pump and learn how to use it correctly. Different settings are going to help you get a better output than others.
You typically want to go faster, in the beginning, to get a letdown and then slow down to a steady pace after that.
8. Stress and your breastmilk supply when pumping
You know when someone tells you not to stress but it just makes you stress more? I feel like with being a new mom there is a lot of that.
However, stress can wreak havoc on your milk supply.
Stress can cause your breastmilk supply to drop significantly, so you want to find a way to calm your nerves and relax. I know it’s easier said than done but just try.
Here are some self care ideas that are perfect for moms!
9. Medications can cause a drop in breastmilk supply
Cold medicines and decongestants can make your supply drop so it’s best to talk to your doctor before you take any medications while breastfeeding.
10. Hormones
We all know that after giving birth your hormones are everywhere.
These hormones should settle down after a while but sometimes they can cause problems with your milk supply.
If you’ve tried all the tips above and still can’t seem to get a decent supply then it might be time to talk to your doctor. They may suggest doing some blood work to check your hormone levels and they can help you come up with a plan for moving forward.
I would like to mention that some women’s body’s just don’t produce enough milk and that’s okay!
There is no shame in feeding your little one formula. You are doing the best you can, mama, and that’s what really matters!
What are some other pumping mistakes that might help someone else out?
About the Author
Hi! My name is Jennafer Tucker of Growing the Tuckers. I’m a wife, mom, student and I work from home. My passion is to help other moms as they go on this journey that is motherhood. I write about pregnancy, birth, babies, self-care and so much more! I would love to have you come visit!