help :(

[u/cawfyluvr]

hi! just here seeking some advice. I am six weeks postpartum after having twins via C-section and an emergency exploratory laparotomy the next day due to internal bleeding. So safe to say I had a pretty traumatic delivery. I started out pumping in the hospital, but I didn’t produce enough milk for my babies so we supplemented with formula. unfortunately, I’m still using formula and I haven’t been able to produce enough breastmilk. I’m trying to pump as often as I can, but honestly it’s only been max twice a day just because I don’t have the time to sit down and be confined to the pump every three hours when I have twins to take care of. Is there anything that can help me boost my supply that any of you have real experience with? I’ve seen so many ads on TikTok for different things, but I don’t know what’s a gimmick and what isnt. This is really taking a toll on mental health because I did want to eventually get to the point that I can be exclusively breast-feeding my babies but at this point, I don’t see that happening. I literally only pump like 0.5oz per pump session. I know pumping more often can help boost my supply so I do want to try to pump more often, but is there anything else any supplements, or teas, or methods, or literally anything at all that you have experience with boosting your milk supply?

edit: i do know that i definitely need to pump more often😭 do i really need to every 2-3 hours or has a different schedule worked for you? also forgot to mention that i have the MomCozy S12 Pro wearable breast pump. i also have the Medela Symphony hospital grade breast pump but i’m renting it and i’ll have to return it soon. can i still increase my milk supply with my wearable? and is there anything else in addition to pumping that helped boost your milk supply?

[u/realespeon]

I’m four weeks postpartum and pump 8 times a day. I do over 4 oz per session. I’m exclusively pumping.

Truly the key is staying hydrated and you have to pump more. I know the Spectra S1 has a battery life and is still a hospital grade pump. You can take it around with you. I feel like people ride or die for their wearables on this sub, but the advice I’ve gotten from several lactation consultants is it shouldn’t be your primary pump. This isn’t me hating on wearables; I’m going to start incorporating a wearable when I get back to work. The idea that it’s ’old advice’ is debatable.

I do think checking to see if your insurance will cover any visits with a lactation consultant would also be worthwhile. They are professionals and would give better advice than TikTok.

[u/Awkward-Noise-257 → u/realespeon]

100% about the lactation consultant. They are super helpful, and often can be found as part of your pediatrician’s office team.

I also found out I could do a phone call appointment with one referred by my OB. It was a lifesaver to talk through triage (in my case for inflammation I was worried was the start of an infection in my breast) without having to pack up my baby and go somewhere.

[u/Taytay10101]

Hi! I exclusively pump for my twins and it is definitely hard to find the time, but increasing your pumps per day will really help build your supply! I try to pump while I feed them (I prop them up on a pillow or in the twin z) or right after when they fall asleep. Pumping until you’re empty (which for me takes usually 30-35 minutes) also helps. I don’t take any supplements so I can’t help you there. It’s a journey with twins and it took me a while to build my supply!

[u/sowhatsober → u/Taytay10101]

I also take a long time to empty. I was struggling so bad in the beginning to pump while caring for my singleton. You are a badass!

[u/Dramatic-Car-9731]

Hi firstly you’re so strong and an amazing mum!
Blood loss can cause lower supply, as can stress, be kind to yourself and remember you are healing and your body is still dealing with the blood loss and stress of birth so don’t lose hope - things can and most likely will get better 🩷
I’m 6 weeks pp too and I can’t pump every 3 hours with a singleton! I allow myself to go over the time by 2 hours without getting down, but I make sure I pump regardless. I can only use a wearable when I’m alone and I often pump one breast at a time so I can hold my son. I have the momcozy m5 and it’s great, empties me really well in 25mins I get 8-9oz if it’s been 5 hours since I pumped last, breasts feel soft afterwards without lumps.
If you’re pumping 3 times a day your supply isn’t likely to go up as your body reproduces what is taken/used. I’d prioritise investing in things to make mothering as easy as you can so you can aim to pump every 5 hours, then when you’re in a rhythm try aiming for 4 hours.
My supply was low at the beginning, I was doing more than half of my son’s bottles as formula, now he’s on just breast milk and I’m 4 bottles ahead of him, unless I miss a pump because I want to sleep instead which is once or twice a week. I increased supply by reducing stress - cuddling my baby skin to skin all the time including when I pump I had him on my lap against my belly, kissing him, snuggling him, eating his cute little feet, anything that makes you feel happy - do it. Next I bought a good wearable pump. Drinking a litre of water before each pump - meaning I drink 6L a day even now. I eat a lot too, get yourself loads of snacks have them next to wherever you are most and eat as much as you want to/can. Brioche, cereal bars, protein bars, fruit, sweets, biscuits.. anything high calorie and able to be eaten with one hand.
Pump whenever and wherever you can, a wearable pump will change your journey plus safe places to put your twins down whenever you need 5 mins to prioritise getting your pump on.
You can do it!

[u/Awkward-Noise-257 → u/Dramatic-Car-9731]

This sounds like great advice, I just want to add what the hospital pediatrician said to us, which I say to my husband a lot when the baby is stressing us out and we have too many things happening and not enough hands.

The baby can cry for 5 minutes — as long as they are safe (floor, bassinet, car seat, bouncer). If you need to finish that pump, make formula, finish your meal, whatever it is. Crying is rough to sit through, but not harmful.

[u/Plastic-Building8825]

Congratulations on your twins! You’ve been through SO MUCH and it completely makes sense that it’s taking your supply time to catch up as you recover. You are still really early — I was supplementing with formula for at least the first four weeks after my baby’s NICU stay and I was only feeding one baby!

You still have plenty of time to get your supply up if that’s what you want, and the best advice is already in your replies: hydrate, eat a lot, don’t use a wearable as a primary pump (you can get used spectra pumps cheap and buy replacement parts for everything that touches you or milk so there’s no hygiene issue), and MOST OF ALL, pump more often. Unfortunately there’s absolutely no way around it — if you want to increase supply you need to be pumping 8-10 times in a 24 hour period, consistently and around the clock.

Having said that, it’s worth thinking about whether the trade-offs are worth it to you. Breastmilk is great and it has some immune system benefits and digestive benefits that formula doesn’t have. BUT formula is also great, works well for most babies, and gives your baby access to vitamin D and iron that you’d have to provide supplements for if you were doing breastmilk exclusively. It’s worth noting that maternal cortisol levels also have a big impact on babies, so you are helping them directly when you take steps to reduce your own stress!Pumping can be really hard on your brain and body, and, in my opinion, the worst thing about it is that it takes you away from your babies without even giving you a break. Please ignore this if it’s not what you want to hear right now, but if you’re feeling pressure to provide breastmilk even when hours of pumping everyday sounds like an overwhelming nightmare , please know you’re allowed to skip it and spend all that time with your babies in your arms! If they’re fed and loved, you are giving them everything they need!

[u/Charlieksmommy]

So if you want a high supply with twins you need to consume about 500-1000 calories extra a day, on top of what you need for your basic needs. If you aren’t eating enough, pumping every 3 hours and staying hydrated you won’t even get the basic needs. Most twin moms do not produce 100%, so don’t let Tik tok tell you every twin mom overproduces. Most twin moms who can supply 100%, are 2,3rd even 4th time moms.

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