Conference moira::parenting_v3

    See the note entitled "pumping at work" in the _v2 file
    
    It can be done, although it takes time and commitment.

    By the way, the theory on breastfeeding is that your body makes as much
    milk as you (the baby) needs.  That's how you manage to make more as
    the baby grows and drinks more.  If you are nursing full-time now, and
    plan to cut back to half-time (by bringing formula to daycare), you
    don't want to pump at work.  If you try and pump as much as the baby
    had been drinking, all you will be doing is encouraging your body to
    keep making more milk, requiring more pumping to relieve the lumpiness,
    etc.  If you only want to nurse in the morning and at night, DON'T pump
    during the day (except maybe for a day or two until your body adjusts). 
    You will soon magically start having milk only in the morning and at
    night.
    
    The note I put in the _V2 file asked about how to pump enough to keep
    my son on 100% breastmilk after I came back to work (it was hard,
    although lots of people replied that they were able to do it).  I
    pumped full-time for 3 weeks, then converted to formula at daycare,
    nursing at home.  This worked fine (with no supplemental pumping,
    unless I was going to miss an evening feeding for some reason), until
    I voluntarily gave up nursing completely when Marc was 6 months old.

    First of all, I'd recommend calling your local chapter of La Leche
    League, or another nursing support group, for tips and support.  
    
    >MY pediatrician tells me that even if the day-care provider
    >feeds our daughter formula, I will have to pump at work just to
    >keep up my milk supply so that I can nurse our daughter when I am
    >home.

    This is not necessarily the case.  Many women find that their milk
    supply adjusts itself nicely to two or three feedings a day.  
    
>    I have have had only slightly better success expressing manually 
>    - getting 1/2 oz of milk and a sore back in 10 minutes.

    I found that it worked a lot better to stand fairly straight and
    tip the bottle than to hold the bottle upright and tip me.  It
    took at least a couple of weeks of practice before I could express
    more than an ounce or so at one time.  But I did find that if I
    expressed some milk, refrigerated it, and then came back half an
    hour or so later, I could get a lot more milk than if I just kept
    trying for the whole time.
    
    I weaned David before I came back to work, and now I kind of wish
    I hadn't. . . 
    
    --bonnie

My experience:

I pumped at work until Kati was 6 months old, then put her on milk during
the day (cheaper than formula, and provided by the daycare!) and continued
to breast feed her morning and night (and weekends) until she weaned herself
at 15 months.

I used a battery-operated pump at work twice per day, and stored the milk
in a freezer with date on a label.  I tried to stay about 2 days supply ahead
in case I ever had a bad day or something.  It was really no problem but I had
a private place to pump, and could not imagine doing it in a public place like
a bathroom, etc....  (sometimes I had to take a picture of Kati in the room
with me if I couldn't "let down"!)...

I agree with the theory that your body adjusts production according to demand.
Once I quit sending breast milk to daycare, and quit pumping at work, I had
about 1-2 days of sore breasts before they adjusted.  Then they produced just
about any time Kati wanted to nurse, for the next 9 months.

If you use a battery-operated pump, buy rechargeable batteries!!!  Also, find
a private place to pump if you plan to pump at work.  I don't think you HAVE
to pump at work to keep your supply going for other times, nobody I know has
done that and I sure didn't have to.  Good Luck in any case!

Kristen

    Please read the note (referred to earlier) in the old (v2) parenting
    file.  It has good info for you.
    
    I was very successful at doing this for 6 months, but it was alot of
    work.  Please call me or send mail if I can help.  The support meant
    everything to me - I would not have done it without it.  My support
    came from my health plan's (Matthew Thornton) newborn nurse, my family,
    mothers in my group at work, and this conference.
    
    Your body will adapt as you drop feedings - for example, you can go to
    formula in the day and still nurse morning, evening and night with no
    problem!  What can be a problem is if you want to nurse in the day on
    weekends, if you don't nurse/express in the day during the week.  I do
    know moms who could do this, but most of the time your body will go for
    a pattern and adapt.  That's why I did it for so long - so I could
    nurse for all feedings at home.
    
    Good luck!
    Jane Brzozowski  DTN 264-4073

    I also pumped at work in order for my son to be 100% breast-milk fed. 
    It was hard work but if you are committed to it, you can make it work
    with the right support.  I used a manual pump and sometimes could only
    get as much as 2-3 oz. at a time (never more than 4oz).  When I finally
    did stop pumping at work (when Erik was almost 6 mos. old), it was
    because I felt guilty that he was only getting 6 oz. of breast milk
    between the 2 bottles I sent to him.  I then continued to breastfeed
    morning, lunch-time, and twice at night, and my Mom fed him formula
    twice a day.  
    
    I agree with the fact that your body will produce as much milk as you
    need, but I that doesn't mean that you'll be able to pump all that you
    produce, believe me I found out the hard way!!
    
    Stick to it as long as you can and keep a positive attitude, it really
    helps!
    
    Good Luck!!

    I have nursed three children and with each one I learned more and 
    became more adept at pumping milk.
    
    With the first I tried an electric pump while in the hospital but I 
    was already so engorged from the milk that my daughter would not
    drink that it was VERY painful and I did not get near any pump
    til I was nursing my 2nd child (7 years later). I was encouraged
    to try a hand pump because I could control the amount of pressure and
    therefor stop when it became painful. I became very expert at this and
    even thought I would try a battery operated one but it did not work
    well enough to express the amount that I could when I used the
    handpump. With this second child I had a little pigglet. The night
    my milk came in he nursed for 1 1/2 hours(split between sides) and 
    drained me of all the milk(bless his heart). When I would become
    engorged I would go get him and see if he wanted to nurse. He
    was a 9 lber at birth and alway thirsty.
    
    With the third I had to pump milk from the time my milk came in til
    he could injest more than four ounzes a feeding.For 6 weeks I pumped
    6 to 8 oz aday just to stay comfortable. When he had finished nursing I 
    had to pump milk because thier was lots of milk left(often too much
    to be comfortable with). Then he was a much smaller baby to start with.
    When I went to work I believed that I could provide him with 100%
    mamas milk. I went to the nurses office and I used battery operated on
    one side with hand pump on the other. For 8 months he recieved only
    mama's milk. The nurses let me use a room and very seldom disterbed me 
    and always knocked before coming in. I would freeze it in the break 
    room freezer and things where fine til my little packages of milk 
    would dissapear. I finally left a note inside the freezer taped 
    to the door explaining that this is 'Natural baby formula' and 
    baby's mom has to work hard to express it so please leave it for 
    her to pick up and bring home to me. Baby (John)
    
    Nursing is one of the best experiances I have shared with my children.
    It is so much easier to keep nursing if you have a support group or
    supportive people around you. It is extreamly important to have 
    someone who has nursed help you through the first few weeks(available
    for questions or to comeover and show you one-more-time how to 
    get baby to latch on right). In times past there were always
    women experianced in childbirthing and nursing assisting those who
    have just had thier first child. A woman was expected to attend
    the young mother to help her with these matters. I do believe some
    things must be expeianced first before you can share information
    with others. I did get to a point where I would ask the nurse who
    was coming to answer a question if she had any children and if she 
    had nursed them before I would listen to her advise.(about nursing
    infants). 
    
    janet
    

If you don't have it I'd recommend a copy of Kathleen Huggins' "The
Breastfeeding Woman's Companion" (or close to that title).  It's quite
an excellent resource.  Although I was not a successful breastfeeding
mother, I did find her information very useful.

    I was able to keep up nursing my son for seven months. He got one
    formula bottle per day (recommended so that it is easier to move him
    to formula when you are ready to give up breast feeding), one serving
    of "expressed milk", and the rest of the feedings I nursed him.
    
    I was able to use a hand pump very easily once I got used to it. So
    start a week or so before you really need it. And the stuff freezes
    well in a plastic baggie. As for location, it didn't matter to me as
    much as time of day. If you are consistent, your body will react no
    matter where you are! Once I was at a meeting at a hotel (all day)
    so after I expressed I went down to the kitchen and asked if they
    would stick the baggie in the refrigerator for me til I left!
    
    Deb

    
    Hi!  I'm so glad to see other women are / have chose as I have.  
    
    I'm currently breastfeeding.  My daughter is just shy of 5 months old
    and I've been back to work since she was 3 months old.  
    
    I'm not having any trouble at all.  I've bought one pump, an electric
    Gerber Precious Care, and borrowed a manual Keneson/Marshall.  I
    express twice a day...almost time to go...and use a different pump at
    each session. I bought a LACTOTE, neat invention.  It has 3 bottles and
    2 ice packs in a cooler which keep the milk very cold until I get home.
    It has an additional section where I can store 2 pumps, a towel
    (necessary!), an extra bra and extra breast pads.  I found the LACTOTE
    through 'The Right Start' and 'Mother Wear' catalogues.
    
    I express at the nurses station and have a very nice private room to 
    use.  It is really a pleasant experience.  
    
    I express anywhere from 10 to 15 ounces from the two pumpings.  I nurse
    Courtenay 3 additional times and only nurse on weekends.  You really
    have to want to do this because it is demanding.  I never miss a
    feeding when I'm home, NEVER!  
    
    It can be done.  Oh, I forgot, I got a head start on daycare by
    expressing my milk after each feeding.  I ended up with 116 ounces in 
    the freezer.  She caught up really quick especially when she gets those
    growth spurts.  I've now have 60-70 ounces in the freezer.
    
    Call me if you need any support.  I'm off to my first visit.....
    
    Good luck!
    
    Rose Marie
    234-4160

Rose Marie,

I'm just curious why you use a different pump at each session.
Is there some advantage to this?

Thanks,
-Amy

    
    Amy,
    
    My pediatrician suggested that I sterilize my pump after each use.
    I don't have a way to do that at work, and asked if it would be ok
    to use a pump that had been sterilized the night before.  He would 
    rather I use the pump within 20 minutes of sterilizing it, he is 
    very cautious, but said it would be ok.  
    
    After a couple of weeks I decided that the two pumps had other 
    benefits.  The electric can handle the large quantities of the 
    morning supply, while the manual is much gentler on me.  While I was
    still at home I tried using only the electric through out the day, 
    but found that to make me a bit sore, so the manual one works out well.
    It just doesn't hold as much and I have to empty it more often.
    
    Rose Marie
    

    The one main reason I had to stop pumping at work was because of the
    inability to find a private place to pump. The nurse was only in after
    1:00pm so that meant I went from about 7:00am until then. I used to be
    dying. She often had health checks, blood clinics, etc so I couldn't
    even really count on the privacy or know her schedule. I too used the 
    Mag-Mag and many rumors started to fly about the woman using a vibrator 
    in the bathroom stalls. 
    
    Do check what facilities are available to you before you get your heart
    set on continuing. Remember you also need a refrigerator or cooler to
    store it. 
    
    Andrea

    I expressed using an electric pump, Gentle Expressions, for 6 weeks 
    after returning to work.  I had been able to get only an ounce or two
    at home, but as soon as I got here, and was unable to feed Nathan at
    the regualr time, my milk came in with a vengance.  I pumped 12 to 14
    ounces at one sitting, in 45 minutes!  We then partially weaned him,
    and at this point, I breast feed him once at night, the rest is formula
    and  cereal ( and spaghetti, as of last night!).  Nathan is 6 1/2 months
    old...
    
    It has worked fine, in both ways.  Neither of us were ready to stop
    completely, and this works great.  I am starting to have to feed him
    before I breast-feed, as he is starting to wake up in the night
    otherwise; it looks like he is getting ready to wean himself.  We'll go
    on as long as possible, though!
    
    ADrienne
    

    I nursed Eric until he was 8 months old.  I pumped at work first
    twice a day and then just at lunch, as twice a day was just getting
    to be too much for me.  I pumped for about 4 months and rarely
    got more than 4 ozs in 1/2 hr, so don't feel bad about the amount
    you get.  I was feeling bad when I read how many people got 6-8
    ozs in 15 minutes, but I had to make myself realize it is different
    for everyone.  Towards the end I was really getting tired of
    pumping, so I borrowed another noters pump (thanks Jane), and got
    the job done in half the time.  That was great.
    
    The support of my manager and fellow secretaries (who had to cover 
    my phones) helped me continue.  I also felt really strongly that
    I wanted to do this and so I did.  If this is how you feel, then
    you can do it.  If you get tired of it as I eventually did, you can 
    stop then.
    
    Whatever you decide, good luck!
    
    Donna
    
    

I'm currently pumping at work for my second daughter (5 1/2 months old). 
There is unfortunately, no private place to pump at work, so I make do with
the women's room. I spoke with personnel to see if they might have a private
place for me, but it was basically a waste of my time.
Because I'm often on the road, I've had to pump milk in various restrooms. I
have a case that holds a thermos for storing milk on ice, extra breast shields,
batteries, and, of course, the pump, (Gentle Expressions).

I pump about 10 - 12 oz. a day at work and about 2-4 oz. at baby's first
feeding in the a.m. It's getting harder now, because she grabs at the pump! 

I've also had to put up with other people's ignorance, i.e., the woman with
the vibrator, the woman shaving her legs,... Doesn't bother me though, it's
worth it for the baby.

Don't feel bad if you aren't getting the quantities you want at first. The
more stressed out you are, the more difficult it is to pump the milk. I've
learned I can never pump milk say, right before a presentation. 

Your body will adjust to whatever milk you need, with my first daughter, 
gradually I only nursed her morning and evening without pumping at all at
work.  I nursed her till she was 14 mos. and I plan on nursing my second till
she's 12 - 14 mos, or until she weans herself.

Good luck! You're giving your baby a wonderful gift!
Feel free to call me for support, the other noters to this topic are right in
that support is crucial.

--Ginger DTN 471-5132

    Ginger,
    
    I think it's great that you're doing such a wonderful thing for your
    baby.  I think it's TERRIBLE that you're getting NO SUPPORT AT WORK!!!!
    
    There isn't ONE private place that personnel can help you find for such
    a short time????  These people need to be educated!  
    
    It makes me mad that you are working so hard to do something that is so
    good for you and the baby and the baby's health and your life balance
    and peace of mind, and you aren't getting any support!  I mean, what
    would it take to find you an office with a door for a few minutes a
    day??????
    
    Is this happening all over?  (I'll have to reread the notes)  
    
    What can we do?

    RE: .17 (and .16)   Yes, there is minimal awareness of the needs of the
    breastfeeding mother. There was no place for me to pump except the
    nurse's office and her schedule was unpredictable because she covered 2
    buildings and was also very active in the health programs DEC offers. 
    I did check with Facilities (try to explain this situation to an older
    man) and Personnel. The solution was that I could book a confernce room
    everyday. Many conference rooms or un-used offices have windows in
    them so that wasn't a good solution.  
    
    I think it is just a "universal" problem with understanding the special
    needs for a pregnant woman or a new mother. I'm pregnant with my second
    now and have been extremely tired. I was told that the nurse here
    believes that if you need to take a quick nap in the afternoons (I want
    to lay down for about 20 minutes at around 3:00pm) that you shouldn't
    be in working. This is completely crazy. As a result, I'll cat-nap at
    my desk - luckily no customers walk through my area and I would never
    do it on the odd chance that they might. Too bad this nurse doesn't
    have the authority to start my leave now!!! 
                                         
    Andrea

    Getting off the subject just a little.  I have got a video at home
    called Having a Baby which covers breastfeeding, expressing milk
    etc.  I thought I would share this little fact with you (especially
    easy for husbands/partners).
    
    After expressing milk, if you put the milk into an ice cube tray
    and freeze it, then when you are not around, or it you would like
    your partner to do night feeds for a change, then all they have
    to do is put 2 cubes of milk into a bottle and defrost in Fridge.
    This is equivalent to a feed for a newborn baby, and doesn't need
    a lot of working out for men (eg.  No ounces etc).  The other good
    thing about it is you can create a milk mountain and there is no
    need to panic if you have trouble expressing one day as you have
    your stock in the freezer.
    
    Barbara
    

Re:<<< Note 168.17 by CIVIC::JANEB "NHAS-IS Project Management" >>>
   
JaneB:
I don't want to create a rat-hole about proper places to pump.  I think it's
great that some facilities have nurses stations (even part-time) available.
However, I meant it when I said "roughing it in the field". There are 
clearly many more remote field offices than large HQ-type offices.

Anyway, this is the *second* baby where I am succeeding in gathering pumped 
milk at work. The point of my note was to let other nursing mothers know
it can be done, even when you don't have ideal conditions.

Thanks for your support!

--Ginger    

    I'd like to add a brief comment.  In my experience most facilities have
    handicapped bathroom, most of which are single rooms, with locked
    doors.  Are there that many facilities out there not equiped with
    private handicapped facilities.  As for borrowing a closed office, do
    so, but just put paper over the small glass window.  I've seen many
    managers do this routinely, or even hang your coat over the window.  
    Second, this may start some kind of outrage, but if you've got to pump..it 
    IS uncomfortable...the DO It in the ladies room.  If you can nurse your
    baby discretely in a public place, keeping yourself discretely covered,
    why not go ahead and do it in the ladies's room.  After all it is only 
    women who would be using it.  There seems to be nothing unnatural or 
    disgusting about expressing mother's love. And finally, if you seem to 
    find yourself with excess breast milk, (someone had 90something ounces
    in reserve) how about donating it to your area milk bank. This is used for
    premies, or formula intollerant infants and children.  (There's one in 
    Worcester for those in MA, I can give anyone interested information)  I 
    donated briefly after we lost our first child, it helped the grieving 
    process, but that's another story.
    
    Lyn
    

 > Second, this may start some kind of outrage, but if you've got to pump..it 
 >   IS uncomfortable...the DO It in the ladies room.  If you can nurse your
 >   baby discretely in a public place, keeping yourself discretely covered,
 >   why not go ahead and do it in the ladies's room.  After all it is only 
  
Nice thought, but it would have never worked for me.  If I had my baby in
my arms I rarely had a problem with "let down" but sometimes it was very
difficult when pumping (I had to think about her, take pictures of her,
relax, etc.).  I had to use the ladies room once while travelling, and I just
couldn't get as much milk out - especially after I heard the rumors that many
people thought "the girl from Texas brought a vibrator with her!"  (then when
anyone walked in the bathroom the fountain just ran dry)

Maybe others will be more successful - who knows?

Kristen

    How about making a tape of your baby crying when she is hungry and
    listening to it on a Sony walkman.  Although it sounds like there
    is enough equipment to lug around already.
    	Linda

    I just started back to work today after having a baby 5 1/2 weeks ago. 
    In the beginning I decided that I was going to breast feed and use no
    supplements.  Well, when my son was 5 days old, he decided that he
    wanted to nurse every hour, this got to be too much, so I decided that
    I would supplement with formula.  I only gave him formula twice a day
    and breast fed him the other times.  I'm now only breast feeding him
    twice a day and giving him formula at the other feedings.  He sleeps a
    good three hours between feedings during the day and 4 - 6 hours at
    night.  I tried pumping, but it just didn't work for me.  I had trouble
    with spilling it or not pumping enough.  I have basically weened my son
    where he only wants to nurse in the middle of the night and first thing
    in the morning.  That's fine with me.  I don't need to pump during the
    day and I'm not in any pain.  Now I have a question.  I would like to
    go back on the pill and was told that I can not breast feed being on
    the pill.  Will I be able to just stop breast feeding automatically?  
    
    Lori B.

    I remember hearing that the low-dosage pills did not affect
    breastfeeding.  Ask your doctor and/or pediatrician about that if you
    want to keep going.

PLEASE SEE NOTE NUMBER 826.0 FOR IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING A FACILITY FOR
NURSING MOTHERS AT ZKO.

BREAST FEEDING IS A PARENTING ISSUE.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SPEAK OUT WHETHER OR
NOT YOU ARE A NURSING MOTHER!

    I am a new mother and I do not know how many of you feel the same way
    as I do!!!!  At this stage I do not know what to do - I am at a
    loss.... I am desperately seeking advise.  Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    I had decided to nurse my daughter for as long as I could and have done
    so far. ( My daughter is 15 weeks old, today).  I have been drinking
    plenty of liquids and am taking rest.  I was one of the few who came
    back to work after 6 weeks (but I was lucky,  I was allowed to come
    half days for the first 8 weeks).  My point is, I am not getting as
    much milk as I used to do and DEFINITELY NOT ENOUGH for my daughter
    now.  I don't know what happened but my supply is dwindling rapidly and
    I am afraid that pretty soon I might have to switch to formula full
    time.  I have heard that the supply always meets demand but in my case
    it has not been so.  I have regularly pumped milk during times when I
    missed a feed.  In fact, I have woken up in the middle of night just to
    pump so that I could keep up my milk supply.  Nothing seems to work.  
    
    Has anyone out there have had experience similar to mine.  I would
    still love to nurse her but it looks like I would not be able to for
    more than a week (the way it is going now!!!)  From the notes file I
    have seen so many mothers saying that they are still nursing for over 2
    years ( and I feel really happy for them) but have not seen any
    reference to situation that I am experiencing now.  Could anyone
    suggest anything at all ?????!!!!!!!
    
    Thanks in advance, 
    
     
    A-frustrated-mother-of-a-really-adorable-15-week-old.

    
    
    
    
    I had a similar problem; but I must admit that I didn't pump
    religiously, so my situation is not identical.   I attributed the
    reduction in milk production to the added stress of working and
    caring for a new born.   I had to quit completely after about 
    8 weeks back at work.
    
    One thing though, you said that you were getting plenty of liquids
    and resting well....are you eating enough too?
    
    Not much help but alot of sympathy!
    Carol

    to .27
    
    I feel badly for you... Is there a chapter of La Leche League in
    your area? They are usually listed in the phone book. They can be
    really helpful in situations like this. All you have to do is call
    them, and they will get someone to help you over the phone. Sometimes
    it may take a few conferences to figure out what may work for you,
    but I've found it's well worth it to call them.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Lucy

    800.LALECHE, to get a local referral.
    
    Try: (not commandments, just ideas!) 
    
    Drink more water, even if you think it's a lot now.  There are
    many times we ignore thirst almost unconsiously.  Your mileage may vary
    but I drink over a gallon of liquid most days (nursing a 15 month old).
    
    Nurse frequently when you are home evening, weekends, days off.  Feel
    free to offer the breast for food, comfort, a bit of thirst.  Be
    relaxed and nurse as long as the baby wants.  The baby's sucking is
    much more effective than a pump for stimulating production.  
    
    Take the baby into your bed for a relaxed night nursing instead of the
    pumping.  Especially if the baby doesn't suck strongly, you need more
    frequency to stimulate production (not unusual or a problem, they just
    all nurse differently.  My son is very physically strong, walked real
    early, but isn't a particularly strong suckler).
    
    Take a vacation day here and there and be lazy.  Play and nurse all day
    long.
    
    Visualize a plentiful supply, especially while you are nursing.
    
    Nurse your baby as soon as you pick him/her up.  If your caregiver
    doesn't have a place, nurse in the car.
    
    Your baby may be going through a growth spurt and demanding much more
    so you can catch up with her new needs.  You can get through it with a
    bit of attention.  I promise, it gets very easy and doesn't require
    much extra thought in a few more months (that is, the supply issue -
    other interesting parenting challenges can pop up!).
    
    The latest research indicates that caloric intake for nursing may be
    overestimated for *most* individuals (that may not be you).
    
    I found it worthwhile to work on the nursing/working balance.  It is
    very satisfying to nurse as long as your baby wants.
    
    Good luck, I know how this can frazzle a new parent.
    
    =ss

    Hang in there.  I went through a lot of times when I thought I would
    never manage my job and nursing too.  I nursed Carrie for two years and
    managed the first year most of the way without supplemtal formula.  
    
    Couple of hints for you.  If you are working in a job where you can
    keep a glass of water handy, keep a full one at all times and sip it
    through the day.  You should need to fill once or twice during the day. 
    If not hit the drinking fountain every hour.  Make sure you are eating
    enough.  For the next month or so, don't diet if you are trying to lose
    extra baby pounds.  It takes time to get things established after going
    back to work.  The recommendations that you take the baby to bed and
    nurse her as often as possible when you are home are great ideas.  I
    did that. 
    
    another thing you might try is to pump one breast while your baby
    nurses on the other right after work.  This used to work for me.  If
    you can find another nursing mother at your site who is open to pumping
    at the same time.  Then you at least have someone to share the
    challenges with.  I didn't find anyone else while I was nursing but I
    sat in a fairly busy restroom that had a couch and talked to other
    people who came through and had been there.  
    
    You may need to try a different pump.  The Gentle expressions electric
    did nothing but make me sore, but a kenison style tube pump worked
    wonders.  Try the different nipple adapters with it till you find one
    for you.  Or try hand expressing.  That works better for a friend than
    any of the pumps.  
    
    And don't be too hard on yourself.  Stressing over making enough milk
    slows it down.  Relax and take the time to enjoy nursing and expressing
    milk.  It is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your
    child, but if it doesn't work for you both of you will survive.
    
    Meg

I can't add a whole lot to the suggestions given, but also try taking a
picture of your baby with you when you nurse.

I nursed Kati for 15 months, and pumped until she was 6 months old - never
had a problem with supply.

With my second one, I recently quit pumping (she is 5 months old).  I never got
as much milk out, often forgot to pump until I was in severe pain, and had too
much stress at work to worry about that too.

Nursing and pumping are very EMOTIONAL things.  Let down is psychological as
much as it is physical.  If you can think of your baby, picture it nursing,
look at a picture, etc.... your milk will come more easily.

I also found that I didn't get much milk early in the week.  Kimmi Jo would
nurse (small meals) on demand all weekend, so my breasts didn't have large
stores by Monday.  After pumping during the day for a couple of days, I could
get 14-16 oz. at a sitting by Wednesday.

Good Luck!
Kristen

    I just thought of something else.  How do you know your baby isn't
    getting enough milk?  Is the sitter reporting excessive hunger? Is the
    baby really fussy or listless?  Is she not gaining weight?  When you
    are putting breast milk in a bottle it doesn't look like as much as the
    formula measurements.  I couln't imagine dropping off two 8oz bottles a
    day with the sitter.  We were often doing well to get two 4 oz bottles
    most of the way full.  However, those two "little bottles" and a small
    bottle of diluted apple juice worked fine for Carrie.  In fact, if I
    went over that amount, she would either not finish the bottle, or
    fountain all over my sitter, wasting the excess milk that costs so
    dearly to deliver.  Another thing I did, was to give my sitter a box of
    dry formula to use if for some reason Carrie was hungrier than usual. 
    It eased my conscience on the days that I couldn't let down, or that I
    spilled the milk, or someone new to the lab thought the milk bottle in
    the fridge was for coffee ;-)  These things do happen.  
    
    Meg  

    First of all, I would like to thank each and everyone of you for having
    taken the time to encourage me.  I really appreciate it and it really
    boosts my confidence.
    
    Re: .-1 
    
    The very reason I found out that I was not making enough was when my
    baby became very fussy an hour after her full feed.  This continued on
    for a week.  [Right now, she is being taken care of by my mother. (I am
    one of the few lucky ones..)].  So, I decided to supplement one feed
    with powdered formula and surpisingly her fussiness just disappeared.
    That is when I figured that she was not getting enough from me.  One
    other thing I found out was, I had a lot when I was at home soon after
    delivery (when I had complete rest); just about enough and maybe a
    little in excess when I started going half-time (when I had little rest
    in the afternoon) and now when I am going full-time (and cannot take
    any rest at all) it looks like that I am not making any at all.  So, I
    figure that it has to do with rest (which I am not able to take).
    I don't know what I can do to help other than quitting my job which I
    am trying desperately not to.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jay.

    Jay,
    
    I don't know your domestic situation, but would it be possible for you
    and/or the baby to take a 30 - 45 minute rest when you get home?  Or
    even better get one before you pick her up from mom's?  Can you get
    someone else to fix dinner so you can just cuddle with the little one
    for awhile?  Our house was and usually is a disaster area (6 years of
    remodeling while inhabiting a house isn't conducive to neatness.) 
    Since the mess bothered Frank more than me, he took on cleaning it that
    first year, and he or Lolita would get the prep work for dinner started
    while I collapsed.  This is an old tale myu mother told me, but it
    helped and might be worth a shot.  Eat food with more Basil in it. 
    There is also a nice tea by traditional herbs called, Mother milk, that
    friends have used.  Are you still taking your prenatal vitamins?  If
    not, more B-complex type stuff might be in order.
    
    Long distance hugs and support,
    
    Meg

    This is kind of late and the crisis might have passed. I don't have
    much to add to the previous ideas but in retrospect there were a
    couple hurdles that Justine and I went through nursing. One of those
    hurdles was recently returning work as Justine was starting a growth
    spurt. It took a couple of days and a nice long weekend of nursing
    and we were back on track.
    
    Good Luck I hope everything works out for you the way you want it to.
    Being the working mother of an infant I really enjoyed the nursing and
    I really wanted to do it so I may have worked harder at it than others
    would have but for me it was worth it.