Daycare Pushing For More Bottles / Low Pumping Production

[DeirdreLLogan]

Hi ladies!

I returned to work this week after 16 weeks of maternity leave. My son has been EBF on demand since day one. We've survived nasty reflux (that cause latching and production issues), horrible sleeping issues (never slept for more than 30 minutes) and through it all, I have kept up BFing.

I am now practically in tears because it seems like it may be coming to an end.

Aside from pumping to increase/maintain production during the worst of baby boys reflux, I have not pumped much since I came home from the hospital. But I NEVER had a problem. I even posted on here that I was EBFing nine to eleven times a day, and was pumping about 9oz "extra".

However, my return to work has been disastrous. I *barely* pump 12 oz... and that's if I'm lucky. And it's with the same pump I've had all along (Medela PISA). We have dedicated lactation rooms at work, though I am restricted to a tight 30 minute window. But I am able to pump 4 times a day, so my day goes like this.

around 6 or 6:30 - nurse baby
7:30 - drop to daycare
8:00 or so - pump
(9am - baby gets 6oz bottle at DC)
10:30 - pump
(12noon - baby gets 6oz bottle at DC)
1:00 - pump
(3:00 - baby gets 6oz bottle at DC)
3:30 - pump
5:00 - home and nurse baby
7:00ish - nurse / bath / nurse again
usually sleeps for 3 to 4 hours in an arms reach co sleeper
I go up to bed around 10 and once he awakes (around 11 or 12) I nurse him and we bedshare the rest of the night, nursing on demand... usually every 2 hours or so (i rarely bother to look at the clock, but I have been this week).

*** it does not matter if I spread the pumping out more than every 2.5 hours... I get 10oz at work regardless of if I pump 3 times or 4... then another oz or two when pumping in the evening after his two nursing sessions ***

So, by my numbers, he's nursing like... 8times a day with me AND getting three 6oz bottles.

Today, daycare told my husband that we need to send a 4th bottle. I think that sounds ridiculous. My son is 13lbs 8oz, so he's not exactly a huge baby. He's nursing A LOT... does he really need 24oz of milk at daycare??

I am also wondering if he's spitting up a lot. We would give him a bottle occassionally during my mat leave... just to make sure he'd take it... and while, yes, he WOULD **** down 6oz... he'd often times spit up. And even if he didn't... well... he was never getting three bottles back to back.

Anyway, there IS a question in here.

I have been pumping 4x a day at work and 2x at home (after nursing sessions) for 4 days now and I'm getting 12oz.

1. How can I increase my supply? (I have a hospital grade pump I've rented... should I try using that? It's not as convenient to drag to work, but I don't care. I'll do what it takes. I'm eating oatmeal and made lactation cookies. I'm trying to get as much water as is humanly possible. I have fenugreek but have not started taking it b/c I don't know how much too take.)

2. What do I do about daycare? I was considering sending four 4oz bottles tomorrow. They have 24oz of frozen milk in their freezer as well, so I do worry a little that they will just defrost and waste the breastmilk that I've given them. I don't know... I'm not trying to judge, but part of me wonders if they're just popping a bottle in his mouth anytime he cries. He's NOT a baby that likes to be put down... He'd never even been in a baby swing until about 2 weeks ago. He just hated every baby device on the market so I gave up and just wore him all the time / carried him . Anyway, I guess... what is reasonable of me to expect with daycare? I know I'm paying them to watch my kid... but I also recognize that they have several babies and they have to have SOME kind of structure. If i could afford a nanny to come and give individualized attention, I absolutely would, but it's just not an option. As it is... this in home daycare is costing me the same as my mortgage (gotta love Northern VA).

3. I am wondering if a "duvet day" would help? Does skin-to-skin help at this point? I'm wondering if spending as much time between Friday evening post-work until Sunday in bed with baby, nursing completely on demand and following each session with a 15 minute pump session with hospital grade pump will help to "super charge" my supply. Is that a ridiculous concept? Daycare is pushing me to follow their schedule, but, not to be a b***h, I don't care about their schedule as much as I care about my baby getting the best food for him

Thanks so much in advance ladies. I'm so desperate... and I just cried today because baby just screamed at the breast in frustration for almost an hour before finally calming down and latching (and passing out almost immediately). He did fine nursing the rest of the evening though.

Sorry I'm all over the place with this post... I'm just so stressed / worried. With his reflux issues... formula is NOT an option for me.


EDITING TO ADD:

Baby is 16weeks old (will be 4 months on the 9th). He has many wet diapers a day. Prior to DC he was pooping every 2 - 3 days... and would usually have 2 BM's on that day. Now that he is in daycare, he's having blowout diapers every other day.

[nannyde]

That is a ridiculous amount of milk they are asking for. For his age I would do four oz. I don't take premade bottles. I just have parent bring a jug of milk and I keep 3 bottles here. That way I can make smaller bottles and just heat up an oz if baby wants more.

Maybe give slower flow nipples? Is he coming home with spit up clothes?

What are the hours he is there?

The part where you are carrying him around all the time and he is eating every two hours... well that's going to cause HUGE issues with daycare. You may find one that does that level of one to one but it's expensive.

You heard of kellysmom breastfeeding site? That's the go to site.

Join some Facebook mommy groups and they will help with production issues.

It sounds like he is raising hell at the daycare because he needs or wants his own adult. If that is the case it won't work. A daycare is going to give him about an hour of one to one total with feedings and changing. That depends on their numbers but that's an average.

[Angelsj]

Is he actually eating 6oz bottles or is some of it going to waste or being spit up? I don't generally get 4 month olds who will eat more than 4-5 oz at a time.
I am sure they exist, but it may not be necessary.

I generally get frozen milk in a ziploc style breast milk container. I ask for a variety of sizes from 1-5 oz. I will often try a 3 or 4 oz bag first, then see if baby wants more. I also second the slower flow nipple. Maybe send 4 oz bottles, and then an extra bottle. Ask them to feed 4 oz, wait a bit and give a bit more if he is still hungry. With the slower flow, that might do the trick.

As to pumping, I was always most successful with hand extraction. I imagine there are videos out there.

The baby can also feel your frustration, and it will affect your milk production, so relaxing is important.


Nannyde, how do your parents accomplish a "jug" of breastmilk? Do they not freeze it?

[nannyde]

Is he actually eating 6oz bottles or is some of it going to waste or being spit up? I don't generally get 4 month olds who will eat more than 4-5 oz at a time.
I am sure they exist, but it may not be necessary.

I generally get frozen milk in a ziploc style breast milk container. I ask for a variety of sizes from 1-5 oz. I will often try a 3 or 4 oz bag first, then see if baby wants more. I also second the slower flow nipple. Maybe send 4 oz bottles, and then an extra bottle. Ask them to feed 4 oz, wait a bit and give a bit more if he is still hungry. With the slower flow, that might do the trick.

As to pumping, I was always most successful with hand extraction. I imagine there are videos out there.

The baby can also feel your frustration, and it will affect your milk production, so relaxing is important.


Nannyde, how do your parents accomplish a "jug" of breastmilk? Do they not freeze it?

Nope. They just pump and put all pumped milk into one jug. Makes it easier for us all. They leave a frozen stock in case of emergency.

[Leigh]

Are you certain about the amount of milk in those bags? There are days that I can put THREE "6 oz" bags of milk into ONE 8 oz bottle. It depends on how the milk was frozen. I have a child about the same age, about the same size at my home who can go through 4 bags of milk a day, but there is NO WAY any of those bags actually have 6 oz. in them.

If keeping up with production is a problem (and it is for many women), I recommend supplementing with formula.

[nannyde]

They bring me what they pumped at work that day and on the way home. Alot pump in the car.

[Blackcat31]

My babe (same age as OP's baby) is eating roughly 2-3 of the 4 oz bottles per day depending on whether or not there was a morning feeding before drop off.

Attendance times are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mom brings me 4-6 of the 4 oz bottles each day.
She pumps at work and brings me what she pumped that day at pick up.

Some days the baby drinks 3 bottles but usually only 2 but never more than that.

My babe is bottle fed here (obviously) and BF at home.

Rarely is more than 4 oz per feeding consumed.

Baby is also fed on demand so the feedings aren't necessarily spaced out over exact times or intervals.

[SunshineMama]

I am a nursing mom of 3 who ebf all 3. I pumped exclusively with baby 1 while working outside the home. I quit work with baby 2 and started a daycare, and ebf both. I suggest that you pump as often as possible, and supply the extra milk requested if at all able. It sounds like a lot of milk, but who is to say that the baby isn't going through a growth spurt? Are you feeding at night still? I would continue night feeds, and nurse in the am. Pump after you nurse, and throughout the day. The more you pump the more milk you will produce over time. Oatmeal helps with production, wheat beer, mothers milk tea, and lots of water. Good luck mama, it's hard! And you aren't defeated if you have to supplement. Even a drip of breathing is better than nothing.

[itlw8]

There are ways to increase your milk production some supplements some mothers take. relax and increase your water intake. but to me it sounds like enough milk for the day. Ask them to describe the problem

baby is draining the bottle
baby is not finishing bottle but wants to eat more frequently
baby is fussy so they comfort with a bottle.
is or is not spitting up maybe has gas


Just sending more does not fix it if you do not know what the problem is exactly. DAd may not have know what to ask when they said MORE MORE MORE>

[Angelsj]

Nope. They just pump and put all pumped milk into one jug. Makes it easier for us all. They leave a frozen stock in case of emergency.

Interesting. Makes sense, though. All I have ever done is the frozen bags. Though I did have one mom come feed whenever needed. THAT was interesting.

[nannyde]

Interesting. Makes sense, though. All I have ever done is the frozen bags. Though I did have one mom come feed whenever needed. THAT was interesting.

So much easier. Each baby has their own jug o milk so I don't have to worry about making a mistake. Less messy. More accurate oz. Freshly sqoozed daily and just swap jugs at the end of the day.

[SunshineMama]

...drop of breastfeeding milk... autocorrect

[PolkaTots]

That does seem like quite a bit of milk to be bringing each day. My guess is that if he is still on demand fed, they are trying their best to keep up with his demands, but if he's not finishing a bottle, they toss what remains. On demand is extremely difficult to do in a daycare setting, if this is something you really want to continue, one on one care will likely be best. Daycares usually run on a schedule and try to get all the children on one as well.

[Angelsj]

So much easier. Each baby has their own jug o milk so I don't have to worry about making a mistake. Less messy. More accurate oz. Freshly sqoozed daily and just swap jugs at the end of the day.

sqoozed... That is an awesome word! Even if it was a typo, I am stealing that word. ::

[nannyde]

sqoozed... That is an awesome word! Even if it was a typo, I am stealing that word. ::

Made that up. Thankyouverymuch