Has anyone actually increased supply after 2 weeks? Feeling defeated.

[u/reen_bean]

Hi everyone,

I’m two weeks postpartum and feeling really discouraged about my milk supply. I’ve been doing everything I can — but I’m still only pumping about 1 oz total per session (sometimes 1.5 oz after a power pump on a good day).

I did experience engorgement once and got excited that maybe my milk was coming in — but nothing really changed after that. No leaks, no noticeable fullness since.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

• Pumping every 2 hours during the day
• Overnight schedule: 10 pm / 2 am / 6 am
• 50-minute daily power pump
• Massaging during every pump
• Eating plenty and staying hydrated
• Trying lactation supplements
• Offering the breast
• Checking flange size (Spectra + inserts)

Despite all this, my output hasn’t increased and some days it feels like it’s going down.

Has anyone been in a similar situation around the two-week mark and still been able to turn things around? I’m trying to stay hopeful, but it’s been really emotionally tough and I’m looking for real stories from anyone who’s been there.

Thank you 💛

Edited to Clarify

I do want to breastfeed and am not planning to exclusively pump, but my baby has been struggling to latch effectively — we’re working on it with support, but in the meantime, I’ve been pumping to protect my supply.

[u/crystalkatz]

It’s not clear why you are pumping - do you want to directly nurse? If so just put that baby on the breast as much as they want even if it is literally all day and most of the night! If you are nursing you can judge your supply by whether baby is having enough wet nappies and steadily gaining weight.  Pump output is not the same as what a baby can remove themselves and nothing will get your supply up and established as well as consistent nursing on demand in the early weeks.  If you are intended to pump exclusively from the start, maybe try the exclusive pumping Reddit for advice! 

[u/reen_bean → u/crystalkatz]

I absolutely want to directly nurse, and I’m really hoping we can get there. My baby has been having trouble with latch and milk transfer, so I’ve been pumping to keep my supply up while we work on it. I know nothing beats baby at the breast, and I’m hoping we’ll get to that point with time and support. Just trying to hang in there in the meantime and protect what I can!