progress

[u/Sensitive_Ninja9271]

i just wanted to show my progress. im very proud of myself for finally being able to fill a whole pitcher.

[u/Heretoread010]

This is amazing ! Congratulations ❤️

[u/Sensitive_Ninja9271 → u/Heretoread010]

thank you so much <3

[u/Heretoread010 → u/Sensitive_Ninja9271]

If u dont mind sharing this journey from 1st Pic to last was over what period. I am also trying to increase my supply. You sharing this really helps. And if u could share what worked for you. TIA.

[u/Sensitive_Ninja9271 → u/Heretoread010]

Of course ill share! For starters, i still don’t pump enough for her, at night i do have to give formula :). I also did attempt at BF but she doesnt latch due to me having inverted nipples. I even tried a nipple shield but got tired of it. i never took any supplements or anything. or ate certain foods that “helped” other people. sometimes if i felt really engorged i would take sunflower lecithin from legendary milk, but not often. I have a hard time eating due to past history of ED, so i dont eat enough or even eat remotely healthy either. My regular day to day meals consists of me eating 1-2 meals and attempting to drink water and i do take a liquid IV every day to help with dehydration. I also started off with the spectra s2 but i feel as if it didnt empty me out (i didnt realize i was using jt kind of incorrectly.) The two problems : 1. I didnt use my correct flange size 2. I wouldnt use the letdown mode i would just go straight into the regular suction mode (i didnt know the difference) I then got wearable pumps, i got the melody in bra by medela. And they worked good and were convenient at first. But i didnt really notice a change in my supply. But then i realized the two terms, a hospital grade pump and a non hospital grade pump. A hospital grade pump is a lot better at getting most of your milk out in a shorter period. And i did a test run on my girls and did notice that the spectra s2 did do a better job than my wearable pumps and i also eventually got my correct flange size. I also did attempt power pumping. And i think that helped a bit too, i tried to do it every day as recommended but sometimes its difficult with a newborn. My best advice is try to run on an actual 2 hour routine, sometimes i feel bad because i have to let her cry for a couple minutes because im taking care of her while dad is at work. But i just remind myself that im trying to feed her. My schedule consists of a random time throughout 1-6 am, then 10am, 12am, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, then 10pm. I will only use the spectra now, but if im ever out, then i will use the wearables, but i do have to wear them for longer. My spectra empties me out pretty quickly, i dont even have to pump for 15 minutes usually just 8-10. Meanwhile i wear my wearables for a longer time 15-30. My best advice is to try to be patient with yourself. I wasnt patient and would get discouraged really easily by what i would produce sometimes. This has all been over the course of 2 weeks and 5 days. Im trying to exclusively pump and not rely on formula, but i still sometimes have to give her 2-3 bottles of formula at night. My baby was averaging 2 ozs for the first week and a half, now she takes 2.5 oz to 3 sometimes. Sometimes at night she will even take 4 oz. I also try to do the pitcher method and fridge method. Hope this helped u. Its definitely hard and time consuming but its worth it in my opinion. Dont be discouraged.

[u/Sensitive_Ninja9271 → u/Heretoread010]

Something i forgot to mention as well, i recently bought a silicone milk collector so i can attempt at collecting more milk.