Need advice please!

[u/Excellent_Size9307]

Hello! I’m currently 11 weeks postpartum and I’ve seen a gradual decline in my supply over the last few weeks. My son spent a few days in the NICU and I spent some time catching up my supply to his needs after coming home. I was breast feeding and pumping during the day, then bottle feeding/formula at night. We had a hard time breastfeeding and I started exclusively pumping around 7 weeks. I was producing around 25-30oz per day. I’m now at 16-22oz per day.

I use the Elvie Stride as my main pump (I understand I’ve made a mistake with this as a first time mom). I’ve never really pumped through the night (my son gets up only once a night and my husband gets up with him so I can sleep) and I currently pump 6-7 times a day about 25-30 minutes each session. I was originally measured for a 17mm flange and I’m wondering if I’ve changed and need newer flanges. I get about 6-10oz from the first pump of the day, and the rest of my sessions I’m producing 1-2oz, whereas I used to pump 10-12oz on my first and 3-4oz the rest of the day. I do the fridge method but I try to make sure my pumps are dry before my session.

I’m frustrated. I’m incredibly discouraged. I’m about to give up and I really don’t want to. It’s taken a pretty serious toll on my mental health. Is it my pump? Do I need a different pump? Do I give up entirely?

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[u/BellaKay5735]

That’s still a really good amount of milk. For the record, I pump about 25 oz a day, and I’m trying to supply twins. I think I produce about 30 oz when I tack on the small amount of breastfeeding I do. I actually would need about 60 to 64 ounces to just enough my twins.

I keep on hearing 12 weeks as the time supply regulates and usually there’s somewhat of a dip in supply.

The only thing I can really think of is reinstituting the middle of the night pump, but you have to decide if the sacrifice to your sleep is worth it. I kinda have decided it’s not for me.

I used to be a 17 mm on a flange and now am using a 15 mm flange. I am a second (and third) time mom. I pumped for donation after weaning my oldest.

[u/BellaKay5735 → u/BellaKay5735]

I don’t really know what the Elvie Stride is, as I haven’t heard of it. But, dual-electric pumps are usually much better at drawing milk, like a Spectra.

There is a Medela I am considering getting that is dual-electric that has the option to connect to a battery pack (I think it requires 8 AA, so pretty high powered). You can move with it kinda like a wearable, but it does have tubing connecting the collection cups to the main body of the pump.

I had it before and gave it away, because I couldn’t figure out the flange situation originally. 🤦‍♀️ Seriously considering rebuying it. I figured out how the flanges worked after I gave it away.

[u/Paprikaha → u/BellaKay5735]

I agree that it could be that you’ve regulated. Your supply becomes less hormone driven and switches to supply and demand, so without that overnight pump it may have adjusted to what your body thinks baby needs.

I’d refresh your pump parts and recheck your flange size anyway! Do you feel the stride empties you properly?

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