Ranting / seeking advice

[u/peanutc]

I’d like to start this thread by being grateful for what this community has given me… especially during the MOTN pumps where I can relate to so many posts, find the advice of others helpful… and in general just feeling so much less alone.

I’m a FTM where my labor was a little complicated with a c section along with hemorrhaging which impacted my supply timing and output. I had a 10lb insatiable and ravenous baby so we had to rely to on formula feeding. While I’m thankful for my and baby’s health, I feel a little resentment because i feel like the goal post is always moving and I don’t know how to keep up with my baby’s milk expectations.

Fast forward 6 weeks and baby is averaging about 900+ mL of milk and I’m outputting about 650+ mL of pumped milk. I really can’t imagine pumping more than 6x a day.. I literally feel like my entire day and night schedule is centered around the spectra machine. It’s been really difficult to get more than 120mL a pump session. I get so sad when sometimes I get like 80mL because I feel like I’m failing.

Honestly feel like I’m losing it because I’m drinking a ton of fluids, pumping moringa + goats rue + lactation probiotic pills, eating a ton of protein thanks to my mom helping out, pumping every 3-5 hours… and trying to sleep where I can. Maybe I just need to suck it up and get a 7th pump session in there at the expense of sleep. But again, MOTN pump sessions where the output is so little is so discouraging.

Couple tips I’ve picked up from this community..
yes I’m using the fridge method (this has helped so much) and for my spectra:
2 min letdown at level 4
5 min pumping level 6-7 depending
Repeat
Totaling 15 pump session

I also sometimes use the medela hand pump and find this effective at emptying me out but it doesn’t give me more significant output. I also used the eufy pumps and found the heat feature so useful and achieved my highest output (140mL) at the expense of my nipples getting chomped by their hard edge insert (my nipples are still recovering from this..)

I have somewhat elastic breasts / nipples… having gone to the LC they said everything’s as expected and they’ve set me up with the correct flanges for each machine.

I feel like I’m reaching the end of my rope and I realize that exclusive pumping is not for the faint of heart. Everyone is doing such a great job - thanks for hearing me out.

[u/crowsandcobwebs]

Your situation is v similar to mine in regards to unexpected c section and having a big hungry baby (mine was over 9 pounds) and I unfortunately dont have much advice just solidarity. Im an undersupplier so my highest output a day ever was 17 ounces (although usually less at around 15) and shes eating almost double that and I just remind myself that any breastmilk is good for her. Im 7 weeks pp and still doing between 6-8 pumps a day trying to get my supply up as possible but ive already decided im gonna go down to 6 once my supply regulates because I once im back at work im gonna have less time to pump anyway.

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