Looking at photos of babies is what helped me. For the first week I wasn't getting anything. When I added the baby photo album, I started increasing much faster. I know it is hard, but just try to relax. Imagine your baby crying for you. Drink lots of water and try eating oatmeal. I also did compression when pumping and stopped in the middle to jiggle and shake the breasts.

Jennifer

I started the regular protocols on January 7, 2012. I changed to Yasmin from Otho 1/35 because I wasn't having any symptoms nor breast changes since that change my breasts have gone up a cup size and I'm exhausted. All of which I expected and feel encouraged by. I'm on 30 mg tid of dom and just found out that our baby (who will be born via surrogacy) is measuring ahead of schedule. The doctor says this may mean an early delivery by as much as a week to two weeks depending on the progression of the baby. Which means mid to late May instead of June. Our surro has had three surro babies before and all were induced early bc of size. That being said I think I need to shorten up my protocol timeline to start pumping. Any advice? What's worked for you guys or not worked? Ive read tons of threads on the boards but I feel a bit concerned that I will only be on Protocols for 4 months and not the full 5 that I had originally planned on. Any advice is greatly appreciated!! I'm super excited that everything feels like it's working and I'm encouraged beyond belief that this will work!!!

I think that you will be fine to start pumping a little early. Are you planning to start pumping about 4-6 weeks before you think she will deliver? That is what I would recommend.
Good luck!
Jennifer

I did not get a drop of milk first 2 weeks after I stopped the protocols. As soon as the estrogen was out of my body I started making drops. It is possible for your body to respond better to one pump over another. What helped me was putting warm wash clothes on my breast before pumping. Then I wore the pumping bra and surfed the net. I would be so tense about wanting to make milk it wasn't happening. But when I surfed and pump I did not think a thing about it. I would look down and find 2 ounces in the bottles.

Quick update:). Last week I took a lovely, long hot shower and when I got out I had this weird super full sensation in my breasts (mostly my right). I looked down to see if my breasts were increasing in volume and much to my surprise I saw lots of white bumps on both of my nipples. Not being sure what they were I touched them, then scratched them lightly and then slightly squeezed just the right one and viola!!!!!! Much to my surprise several tiny drops of white fluid:)))))). So, I read through the threads here and saw that's common and not to touch them any more, and so I haven't but I am slightly encouraged by what happened. The white spots are still there and I'm due to start pumping this coming Friday. Any advice?!?!:))). I'm going in blindly but I feel good about that because I don't really have any expectations at this point. Just encouraged by last weeks event:)

Oh! One more question:

I have two options, stop bcp this Friday (which puts me at 3 months on protocol) and start herbs, oatmeal and pumping or start new pack of bcp for two more weeks and start pumping. The later would give me 6 weeks of pumping and starting this coming week would give me 8 weeks of pumping. Any thoughts?

Baker - It is totally up to you and how long you are willing to commit to pumping. I hated pumping, so I didn't start as early. If you think you can keep it up for 8 weeks, then start Friday.
Good luck!
Jennifer

Give it time and see what happens over the next few weeks. I never hand pumped so I don't know if that gets more out, but it was slow going at first.

Hi guys, I need some help quick! I'm super excited to say that I'm approaching the last few days before pumping starts but I woke up this morning with a strange pain in my left nipple. I thought it would go away but it hasn't. It's only the left and it's not red, swollen or anything weird. I called my lactation consultant and her advice was to go ahead and start pumping. My question is: is this the right things to do or is my nipple just getting more ready and that's whats causing the pain? I can pump tomorrow if I need to but wasn't sure I should start already. Please let me know your thoughts:).

As always I appreciate your help:)))
Henrys mom

Is the pain constant and intense? Could it be a clogged duct? I don't have advice, but if you are only a few days away, I might start pumping. Have you contacted Lenore to see what she says?
Jennifer

I did contact Lenore. I'm waiting to hear from her now. Good thought on clogged duct. I didn't realize they could clog prior to pumping. It's less intense today but I can still feel that it's sore. The pain was much like a punching feeling or a piercing pain and when it would calm down it felt tender. Today it just feels sore.

Great news! I started pumping yesterday and whilst it is slow going, it is going!! I was able to pump about 1 1/2 oz. yesterday and today I am already at an oz and ive only pumped twice this morning Im pumping every 2-3 hours and so far so good:)))) and my nipple pain is gone! Such a blessing! Ill keep yall posted. Best wishes to all!

That's great news. So happy with your results!

Great news!
Jennifer

4 days into pumping and yesterday I was able to pump just over 5 oz. I'm so very pleased with the way things are going! I've had very little nipple soreness and have actually not minded the pumping at all. I just always try to relax and enjoy the process. Just thought I'd pass on the good news. Best wishes.

Henrysmom

That's amazing. You are doing great!

Thanks! So, in the past 24 hours I was able to pump 8 oz total. Not bad:). I'm really happy with the way things are going. I'm trying to pump every 2 hours, sometimes it's 3 and today I had a doctors appointment and it was more like 4 but I'm trying to stick to every 2 hours. Also, I just wanted to share more about how things happened for me because I know when I was starting the protocol I was reading back through every thread I could. So, I did dom 80 mg a day plus Yasmin for a little over three months. Stopped pill started b.t. And fenugreek both three pills three times a day, and started pumping. My first day of pumping I was able to get an oz.. It never really was obvious to me whether it started as drops, sprays etc. It just seemed to be drops from the get go. Each day I've nearly or more then doubled and my most productive pumps are 12:30 am and 3:30 am. I suppose this is due to ocytocin surge. I'm praying that I'm able to keep doubling each day but I'll keep you posted. For now I'm just super thrilled with the results!! Happy pumping:)

That is great! When is the baby due?
Jennifer

Last week in May. He's measuring ahead of schedule so we aren't sure what day. Hoping today is another great day, although yesterday was much slower only about 3 oz. Did you have days that went up and down? I figured I may not have been as well hydrated as I need to be.

That sounds more normal. Doubling every day is great, but not typical. I would say I gained an ounce every day or two.
Jennifer

Oh good! Thank you. That's what I needed to hear.

Thanks as always for your help Jen:)

Did you keep pumping after baby was here just to keep your supply up or were the baby's needs enough to keep it up?

Thanks

The first time we had a stork drop, so I started pumping about an hour before she was placed in my arms. So I pumped for about 2 weeks to catch up to her need. I then continued pumping as much as possible to up my supply.

The second time we were matched, but I didn't want to pump for too long, so I started pumping about 10-12 days before the baby was due (via c-section). I was making about 5-6 oz a day when she arrived. I continued pumping after feeds and supplementing for a week or two after she arrived. Then I stopped supplementing and she just nursed. I didn't worry about pumping to increase as much this time and we did fine.

Jennifer