[mandiedandie]

I'm ecstatic right now because I had my first few drops of milk today. I decided to go ahead and start pumping since we are officially "out there" and I am not taking the BC or domperidone, altough, I do have it for backup. I pumped for the first time three days ago...just once, but for about 20 minutes straight, which was a mistake because the moisture from the continous contact with the shield caused some painful chaffing on my nipples and I had to take a break the next day to let them scab. Ouch. So, I pumped yesterday for about twenty minutes again, stopping a few times to let them breathe. Today, I pumped again, and after about 15 minutes, I had my first drop. I couldn't believe it, but I had a few more after that. I am super surprised since it's only been my fourth time pumping and I thought it'd be about a month before I saw anything since I'm not taking any meds and am only doing the manual massage thing and the pumping. I also had my first truly negative reaction. My mom called during the excitement to ask me a question, so I told her, and she got really excited for me, and her mom was right there, so she told her, and she was pretty negative. But, that's okay, it's not her decision and does not impact her at all. She's ignorant in more ways than one, so I let it roll off my back. I'm too excited to let it bother me too much anyway. Woo-hoo!!!!

[inhiswill]

Yeah!! I am so excited for you? What kind of pump do you have? Are you taking any herbs?

I just started the regular protocol with meds. Your story is encouraging!!

[tobyandcoco]

I'm also curious what pump you have. LLL suggests a hospital grade pump for inducing lacation, such as a Medela symphony, but they are like $1300!

Congrats on the milk drops! That is awesome! Are you saving your milk and freezing it (or will you?) until a baby comes?

[fearoflight]

Congratulations to you! That is awesome!!!! Keep on ignoring those naysayers. I'm also going the drug free route. I've just been massaging and hand expressing and I've had a few drops which is very encouraging. I'll probably take some herbs later on. I'm not too worried about producing a lot of milk, since I'll be using the lact-aid supplementer, but I would be very happy if I keep producing and could use less formula.

[KarynB]

Congrats - that is awesome news!

I have used the Medela Pump in Style which is recommended for those inducing lactation - brand new they are around $300-$350 but I got mine on ebay and just replaced all the plastic parts - only cost around $150 or so.

Good luck to everyone else! Also wanted to say eating oatmeal really helps, and so does staying really well hydrated...

Karyn

[mandiedandie]

I am ecstatic about it still. I feel like my body is actually doing something I want/need it to, and it feels great. I bought the Avent Isis IQ Duo. I chose this pump because it has the prevention of backflow, unlike any other pump, and it says that it can establish a milk supply and the motor is comparable to the symphony. I paid $220.00 for my pump brand new, which is super cheap, if you want to know where from, please PM me. I was scared at first that it wouldn't do the job because everyone seems to either rent a Medela or buy one, but I'm happy with the pump I chose.

I will freeze my milk if I actually produce enough to freeze. At this point, I just have drops, and only from my right breast...the left one is showing changes though, so hopefully it'll go ahead and produce some milk too. I should probably start pumping more often, because at this point I am just at twice a day for about 20 minutes each. I hope that this is encouraging to everyone out there...because I know I was scared. I, too, am not overly concerned about the amount of milk I produce because I will purchase a lactaid and have already purchased the Medela SNS...just to have both. But, it is nice to already see progress.

[mandiedandie]

I tried manually expressing for the first time last night and actually had better success more quickly than using the pump. I was just kind of playing around, actually mostly massaging, not even thinking that I would get milk that way, and voila, I had a drop or two come out of my right nipple after manipulating it for less than a minute. I was WOWED!! So, I started working on my left breast, which was a bit harder to get comfortable with, but I got it just right and FINALLY got a few drops from my left breast...it was actually more drops than my right one was giving. I am amazed at how easily my body responded to manually expressing...and it's much more comfortable than pumping, which I was starting to get frustrated and bored with. Since last night, I have manually expressed two more times...this morning before work and a little while ago while at work. I just hope my milk supply builds and I get more than a few drops. Just wanted to give an update!

[KarynB]

Great news - that is really fantastic!

[tobyandcoco]

It sounds like you are doing great! Good for you! Congrats on your milk!

[StPaddysDay0317]

I too have just started this adventure. I have met with a local lactation specialist and they have recommended the "Cadillac" of pumps which I pick up today. We only started our adoption process in March and have already been matched, baby girl due end of May. I hope I have enough time! I am going to try and just pump so see what happens, like MandieDandie before taking any meds. I have the Medela SNS for when the baby arrives, but producing some milk would be awesome too! Where can I learn about hand expressing? Any advice anyone has, please share!

Thanks!

[KarynB]

If you go to the Ask Lenore site, there are also a bunch of videos by Dr.Jack Newman and I believe there is one that shows how to hand express.

Good luck!
Karyn

[mandiedandie]

I just wanted to post an update in case anyone's interested: I stopped trying to build up my milk supply about 3 weeks to a month ago. I decided to wait until we are chosen because it's so time consuming and a little...okay, a lot...emotional having milk with no baby in sight. So, with that being said, I had a big surprise yesterday when I suddenly had to pull over while running through the desert area where I often run and express milk because I was uncomfortably full (don't worry, it really is desert and no one was in sight). I was surprised because I have not been trying to build up milk...and the only stimulation I have gotten lately is from dh, and not with the intention of building a supply. I actually had more milk than I did my first go-round. And, instead of it being just watery milk, I actually had thick drops mixed with the watery ones. So, I guess my breasts will never be the same and will easily produce milk from a few days of casual stimulation. I am relieved that my body is so willing to cooperate with me on this...so, for me, the natual approach really is working, even when I am not trying. I am not going to continue expressing at this point though...I am going to let myself dry up once again and continue waiting for our call to start the process once and for all. I just hope that at that point, I am able to build up more of a supply. Good luck to all of you who are starting this process!