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Nurses General Nursing

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So I have a 5 month old baby boy who is breastfed and i am trying to maintain my supply. I have been back at work for a little over a month now. I work night shift on a busy cardiac floor and typically have 6-8 patients every night. This means my nights are crazy busy and I'm lucky if I get to pump one time. My lactation consultant here at work said I should be pumping every 2 hours but that really isn't an option. Can I get any advice on what I should do? I'm on fenugreek and mothers milk tea. But these are only holding my supply at about half of what my baby wants. He was exclusively breastfeeding before returning to work and now he is almost 1:1 between formula and breastmilk. I'm at such a loss but I dot want to quit. Please help!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Have you tried contacting a lactation consultant in your area or your local La Leche League?

http://www.llli.org

http://www.lalecheleague.org/nb.html

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So I have a 5 month old baby boy who is breastfed and i am trying to maintain my supply. I have been back at work for a little over a month now. I work night shift on a busy cardiac floor and typically have 6-8 patients every night. This means my nights are crazy busy and I'm lucky if I get to pump one time. My lactation consultant here at work said I should be pumping every 2 hours but that really isn't an option. Can I get any advice on what I should do? I'm on fenugreek and mothers milk tea. But these are only holding my supply at about half of what my baby wants. He was exclusively breastfeeding before returning to work and now he is almost 1:1 between formula and breastmilk. I'm at such a loss but I dot want to quit. Please help!

I have a 6 mo daughter and I will be looking for my first RN job in 2013. I too bf my baby and I'm worried about my supply...

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Are you hand pumping (idk squeezing your breast with your hand) to get the last bit out after you pump.

Maybe squeeze in extra pumps before and after you shift too.

Pump 20 minutes after feedings.

And squeeze in pumps any time your baby isn't around.

You want to get as much as possible out when you pump and a machine just isn't as effective as a baby (I found that I could get a little more out with my hand). Leaving milk in there is a signal to your body that your supply is too high.

I breastfed my son until he was 13 months despite returning full time to school when he was two weeks old. He was exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. Boy that was some tough months since pumping was one of my less favorite things to do.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

After staff review, please seek assistance from your health care provider, lactation consultant or other professional who can offer individualized and personal support. We cannot offer the medical advice you seek as per site termsof service. Best of luck with your new baby. Thread closed.

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