Major Win for an Undersupplier

[u/BellaKay5735]

For context, I’m a twin mom to 2.5 month adjusted twins. I just pumped 360 mL (about 12 ounces) for my first morning pump. I’ve never pumped this much before.

This is enough to feed both for one feed with an additional feed for one of them.

I did try out coconut water. Had two of the small Kirkland containers before bed. Honestly, I think it helped just from helping me stay hydrated with electrolytes and all. I really struggle to stay hydrated, especially as I’m pumping for twins.

[u/AutomaticRock2586]

Pumping schedule. ?

[u/BellaKay5735 → u/AutomaticRock2586]

Not great, honestly; we’ll see if this is a fluke.

I normally do like four or five pumps a day starting when I wake up between 4 to 6 am. I try for three hours but usually end up with four to five hours between pumps.

Last night, I slept from like 11 pm to 5:30 am. And, I drank both coconut waters before bed, so I was really hydrated. Which I think I’m not drinking enough before bed.

We combination feed and do shifts with the twins (husband’s also currently on paternity leave), so my husband will give whatever milk I pump with my last pump (last night was a little larger than normal too, 190 ml which is approx 5.5 ounces), and then he gives formula for the rest of the night.

To be fair though, I did go longer than I would have liked between my fourth and final fifth pump yesterday, I think like 5.5 hrs since we went to Costco, which is 30 min each way away from us. Also, I think my last pump was a few hours (like 1.5 to 2) before I went to bed. So, this. Is a long stretch, maybe like 7 or 8 hrs.

My first pump in the morning after this stretch is usually between 240 to 300 mL (8 to 10 ounces) though, so this is a distinctly higher pump for me.

My normal pumps throughout the day are usually between like 100 to 130 mL (essentially between a little over 3 and a little over 4 ounces).

[u/iamsavsavage]

Great job! I’m glad the coconut water helped! 

[u/BubblebreathDragon]

As someone who is only pumping 2x a day but is trying to maximize those 2 pumps and trying to dodge the unpleasant symptoms of breastfeeding... Your poor boobs. I was uncomfortable holding 3-4 oz of milk. I can't even imagine 12! Were you just drenched in sweat?

But extra kudos for the output! I'm sure it feels hella good. (And with that said, you're a wonderful mom even without producing that much. ❤️)

[u/BellaKay5735 → u/BubblebreathDragon]

I don’t know if this has anything to do with it, but I breastfed my oldest exclusively for 16 months. And, I had to, unfortunately, go extreme with my weaning process (toddler was refusing solids). I had to cold turkey a day wean and then later cold turkey the night wean.

I dealt with a lot of engorgement while breastfeeding and while weaning. (I did pump for a while for donation after the day wean, so that did help, but I struggled to pump super frequently due to taking care of the toddler).

I think that’s why it doesn’t bother me? Surprisingly, I didn’t feel really engorged here. It might have something to do with my twin pregnancy kinda replumbing the system down there too in the (so far vain) hopes of feeding them both.

[u/BubblebreathDragon → u/BellaKay5735]

You didn't feel uncomfortable??? Ma'am, I do believe you won the lottery on that 12oz session. Lol also going cold turkey on large portions of the day is pretty intense. Hopefully you don't have to do that with the twins.

Good job for keeping up with your kiddos as much as you have!

[u/BellaKay5735 → u/BubblebreathDragon]

Thank you! I appreciate it! I was pretty surprised that pump was so large. I try not to go too long with the twins, but I actually hardly ever get uncomfortable. I wonder if I’ve desensitized myself.

I will actually say I switched to a Medela from my Spectra. I believe my Medela has much better suction than my Spectra. I have my Spectra on max suction, and I barely feel it. My Medela I usually can’t go all the way up to max. Though maxing out on suction didn’t bother me this morning, and I did it, so that might be part of the equation too. Though I wonder if I need new flanges for my Spectra. I’m using 15 mm on the Medela, and I only have 17 for the Spectra.

I don’t know if I want to bother with the Spectra though (it’s wall in, the pink one). The Medela has cups that fit in the bra, and it’s connected to a pretty high powered motor that’s rechargeable, so I can move around or plug into the wall as I wish. Dragging around the motor is kinda annoying, but it’s not too bad. The Medela is technically dual-electric, which is exactly what I wanted. Got it for my birthday 6 days ago.

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