Melanie, if it makes you feel any better, I am on day 15 of pumping every 2-3 hours and once at night, and I still am only getting drops. If I collect it, it is about 1/4 of an ounce per day. When I hand-express, the drops drip steadily, but the pump just isn't getting it out.

I have actually had more success with a hand-pump than with my rented Lactina. Go figure. I am visiting my sister, and am anxious to get home to my Pump-in-Style Advanced as some friends have told me that it worked better for them than the hospital grade pump.

I have been on the long protocol since last Sept.

To top it all off, the baby is coming early (damn OB's want to early-induce the birthmom), so I won't have the full 6 weeks of pumping. But I am still not discouraged. I strongly believe that this is going to work. I believe that when I am holding that baby, I will be affected chemically and make more milk and that the baby will get more milk out of me than the pump.

I *am* concerned because I haven't had any withdrawal bleeding, but perhaps that is because I was on the protocol for so long.

Do you have a SNS just in case? I got the Medela SNS for this baby. I tried the Lactaid with my son (with no meds) but it was so complicated with all of the tiny plastic bags that I quickly became overwhelmed and gave it up.

Can you get any friends to pump some breastmilk for you? My sister is part of a Lactivist network and she is having all these women pump and donate for me. They are donating because they admire me for doing what I'm doing.

What we are doing is worthy of admiration. It isn't easy, but I feel it will be worth it in the end, even if I have to supplement.

I suspect that being stressed and frustrated doesn't help with milk production either. I was so freaked out last week when I found out that the baby was coming early. I feel much better this week and am getting a tiny bit more milk too.

Lots of hugs to you. You are my sister in this.

Love,
Elena

Thank you Elena and Laurie. I do have a friend who is donating some breastmilk that I am very grateful for though I want to make my own!!! I am bringing a SNS with me to Ethiopia as Tessie will be 5 months old and will need instant gratification I am assuming to stay on breast. I will also bring a shield.
I actually had email contact with Lenore today. I currently have a mirena IUD in place and she and Dr Newman suspect that might be a problem. I will be getting it out asap. Hopefully by next tuesday if not sooner...my hubby is so supportive in all of this and I have renewed hope that getting the IUD out might make a significant difference. Until then I will continue the protocol with the drippy drops and occasional exciting spray!!
Thanks all. I will update about a week after the IUD comes out and hopefully will have great news.

Melanie,

Have you pumped before with your bio kids? I can't remember.
I'm glad you got some insight on the IUD. Don't be so discouraged. The pump is nothing like a sweet, soft, cuddly baby. My milk is still increasing after 5 months of our son being home. It is not a quick, easy process like it was with our bio kids and since our babies are older when we get them, it takes some time to work up to their demand. My son still uses the lact-aid and I've just had to adjust my expectations. He needs it less and less as my milk increases and the solid foods increase. But he still nurses all night long (except one feeding) without it and wants me for comfort. It's precious even though I don't meet all of his needs for food. We are incredibly bonded and this wouldn't have happened if I gave up because of worry about supply. (I never made much prior to his coming home either.) I hope I'm not sounding too preachy...things WILL get better for you, but they may never be exactly what you want so try to relax about it and be patient, ok? You don't want your worrying to get in the way of bonding (with or without nursing).
Hope this helps.

thanks...I don't think that is too preachy at all. I appreciate your opinion and really hope I have similar sucess as you have. Tess will be about 5 months old when we meet her. I think that is about how old your son was right?
You give me hope all will be fine! melanie

hon don't get discouraged. I know its easier said than done. I pumped for months.. I mean months to get to 10 ounces a day. And then it dropped to 8. And never came back up. So your doing good to me.

Yup, he was 4.5 months.