Keeping up Milk Supply while Expressing
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21114
Printed Date: 12 September 2025 at 7:34am
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Topic: Keeping up Milk Supply while Expressing
Posted By: EmDee
Subject: Keeping up Milk Supply while Expressing
Date Posted: 22 September 2008 at 3:37pm
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I returned to work full-time 4 weeks ago. I am still breastfeeding and am currently expressing during the day for the next days feeds. Up until now, its been going OK, but my supply is starting to drop off a bit when I am expressing and I'm having trouble expressing enough.
Thankfully I have quite a bit of milk in the freezer so can supplement what I am getting out for maybe 2 weeks. I am breastfeeding Lilia mornings, nights and weekends (so Monday morning my supply is usually OK). I am taking a herbal supplement called Lactation AOK and trying to keep as healthy as I can, although our whole house has been sick this past week which probably isn't helping. So my question is, do you have any tips or advice for me to help keep my milk supply up while expressing? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, Thanks! ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Replies:
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 22 September 2008 at 3:50pm
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I took Milk Flow spray by Naturopharm, not sure if it helped as I seem to naturally have a super supply but it certainly didn't do any harm and I was too scared to stop taking it in case it was helping! I also found that I needed to express every 2-3 hours even tho the gremlins were only feeding 4 hourly and that I could get the most first thing in the morning - some mornings I could express 300ml off each side. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 22 September 2008 at 4:06pm
 300ml off each side! I think I'm doing well to get 200ml combined! You have got a super supply!
------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 22 September 2008 at 5:45pm
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I suck at expressing my girl is still fully BF and I can hardly get anything out lol. I am lucky if I get 60mls all up ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 22 September 2008 at 7:48pm
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http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html - Fenugreek capsules are another good herbal remedy to try, but they may interfere with birth control pills so discuss this with your pharmacist before taking them. |
Posted By: aussiegirl
Date Posted: 23 September 2008 at 9:00am
I took Chris Rhodes naturopathic lactation drops. In Hamilton off Vardon Rd, the Family centre recommended them and they were great.  ------------- Mum to Hayley **30.6.08
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 23 September 2008 at 2:54pm
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Daph, I have some leftover Milk-Flow tablets and Fenugreek tablets if you want me to post them to you.
I can even throw in an unopened box of BF'ding tea too 
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 23 September 2008 at 3:31pm
Trish, have I ever told you how awesome I think you are? Because I do! I'll PM you shortly. Thank you!
Tammy - thanks for that! I've also called my mw as she is a LC too. Duh, should have thought of her earlier! Thank you ladies ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: Alianasmummy
Date Posted: 23 September 2008 at 4:51pm
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Gingerbeer works wonders on my supply! maybe do an extra express too to simulate feeding more so you produce more. Good on you for the effort your making ------------- http://lilypie.com">  tickers" /></a>
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 23 September 2008 at 7:26pm
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Lots of protein in your diet should help too I think.
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Posted By: KiwiWonder
Date Posted: 26 September 2008 at 8:37am
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Lactation cookies! They really do help the supply, and can be made low-gluten or dairy free if either are a concern. Not wonderful for the waistline though.... but you've got a good excuse ;-)
Also, general pumping tips... to stimulate supply, if you can, pump for 3 - 5 minutes after the milk has stopped flowing... as this sends signals to your body to produce more (similar to a baby stimulating supply during growth spurts). Also if you can, pump more frequently - roughly as frequently as your baby feeds, rather than just once a day at work, so ideally every 3 - 4 hours. It helps to have an electric pump - not sure if you do? and double pumps are great if you can afford them, certain chemists or hospitals will hire them out on a monthly basis, too. Good luck with it! ------------- Margo |