Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Natural Methods to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply pumping, let down, and other Q's

I just came of the accelerated protocol and am on day 6 of pumping. I am getting drops while using the pump, sometimes enough to go into the bottles (though not remotely measurable at this point). I can get sprays if I hand express. Should I be concerned that I get more through hand expression than pumping, or is that a typical progression?

As my milk increases I am starting to think about let down. I have heard some women say that they have a hard time with let down while pumping. Anyone have any helpful hints about helping let down occur? I am using a Pump in Style Advanced if it makes a difference.

And one last Q about pumping- is it the stimulation that encourages milk production, or the emptying of the breasts or both?

Tips for let down are to have a picture of a baby (preferably yours if you have a picture) and look at it. Hearing a baby cry always helped me. Before you start pumping, take some deep cleansing breaths. Try not to look at the bottles to see what is collecting.

I believe it is the stimulation combined with the emptying of breasts that encourages production.

Good luck.
Jennifer

It is a combination yes. You can hand express after pumping to help empty. I smelled baby lotion to encourage let down and visualized our baby.
Stopping after 10 minutes and doing the massage jiggle then pumping for 10 more helped me.

So I guess no more doing taxes on Turbotax while pumping! This morning I did some mindfulness meditation and that seemed to help a lot, much more milk in the bottles (though still not measurable), and much less in the breasts.

Has anyone noticed whether any herbs or essential oils helped? I've read that several years ago people used an oxytocin spray, but since that's not talked about any more I am guessing it didn't help or had side effects.

I had a coworker bring me a onsie that her two month old had worn. I found that smelling it while looking at ultrasound pics of our babies really helped with milk production. As a matter of fact, I'm only 7 days into pumping and I can collect a total of 1.5 oz in a day (that's with 7-8 pumping sessions a day).

I've also found that massaging my breasts while I pump helps. I got a hands free pumping bra and that helps free my hands to massage each breast (and yes, sometimes get some work done too).

I'm not sure if they are helping or not, since I've been taking them the whole time, but I've been taking goat's rue and More Milk Plus every day. I also got some Mother's Milk Tea. Like I said, I have no idea of it is contributing to the success I've been having, but I plan to continue!

Good luck!!