u/AnnieBananie2323

I got some of the best advice from an IBCLC when I was struggling with low milk supply and I thought I'd share it for anyone who could use it!

So it does require a pump. I have a lansinoh double electric. She told me to turn it on, let it run for the preliminary 2 minute letdown stimulation phase, and then let it run for at least 15-20 minutes of the expression phase. Once that's done, do the whole process a second time, making sure to allow the 2 minute stimulation phase again. It signals to the body that an additional letdown is needed and over time starts producing more milk automatically. Try to do this every 3 hours for several days straight. I went from 3-4 oz at a time to eventually getting up to 10-11 oz at once. It definitely takes a lot of time and effort but it was so worth it for me.

If this is common knowledge, please disregard. I just had no idea this could work and was pleasantly surprised! I hope this helps someone! 🤍

I posted on reddit once, about 3 weeks ago, and haven't done so since, until now. I'm a brand new mom to a sweet 9 week old boy. The last time I posted I got absolutely torn into for asking for advice. I had asked for help on getting my then 1.5 month old to take a nap by himself during the day because up until then I had been wearing him in a baby carrier wrap for 4-6 hours a day and was absolutely wrecking my back (he was sleeping terribly during the day, carrier or no). For context, I am a very small mama who gave birth to a very big baby, so the back pain was on top of other postpartum health issues I was dealing with (many of which have since cleared up, thankfully).

There were some really sweet and helpful comments that I got, but also some nasty and hurtful ones from moms who couldn't believe I would dare to try to put my baby down. I realized just how nasty and judgmental moms can be, not to mention there's an element of competitiveness that I didn't expect either. For instance, some moms are proud of neglecting their health and even injuring their own bodies for the sake of motherhood. Sometimes our own health needs to take a back seat for the sake of our child, but to be proud of that and use it against other moms who are struggling is such a strange way of making oneself feel better.

Anyway, I've learned my lesson. Don't post questions when I'm already dealing with a lot emotionally. I deleted the post at the time because it put me in a bad headspace on top of everything else when I just wanted advice. I'm back now and I've decided for the time being I won't be looking for advice but only sharing encouragement and things that have helped me thus far as a new mom. Not that I'm an expert by any means, I've only been at this 2 months. But kindness and encouragement starts with me, and that's the kind of mom I want to be, not only to my child but also to other moms who can use it because it is HARD sometimes and we need to support each other.

I did find a solution (at least for now) to the sleep issue I had previously. In fact he's been sleeping better and waking up happier than ever. He just woke up from a nearly 1.5 hour nap as I write. I may post separately about that in the hopes that it might help someone else struggling.