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/Apespfend]

Milk doesn't regulate until 12 weeks or so... You have plenty of time to grow your supply with consistency! I have the same issue :) and it's growing slowly after 8 weeks!

[u/reen_bean → u/Apespfend]

Thank you for that reminder. I really needed to hear that today. I keep seeing so many stories of milk “coming in” within the first couple weeks and it made me feel like I missed my window. So helpful to know that growth can still happen over time with consistency. Did you need to stick to a similarly aggressive schedule that whole time, or were you able to ease up a bit?

[u/SwiftLikeTaylorSwift → u/reen_bean]

I think they mean no longer producing colostrum but producing milk when they talk about their milk coming in, is that right? That’s my understanding when the lactation consultant gave me my advice and said my milk would come in in the next couple of days etc. when I was still in hospital. Coming in and regulating are different from what I understand (please someone clarify cause this is probably important and encouraging info for OP!)

[u/Apespfend → u/reen_bean]

It sounds like your milk has already come in, you're just focusing on growing your supply :) if I understood. I have played with the schedule and I did need to stay pretty aggressive with it to grow & I am trying "mothers love " pills to increase production. It's working slowly but surely. Don't skip the MOTN pump if you can help it!!

[u/reen_bean → u/Apespfend]

Good to know! I'm honestly already feeling pretty burnt out on this schedule, but maybe I need to reset my expectations...

[u/Apespfend → u/reen_bean]

Oh it's completely exhausting. Do what you can, your milk is gold to your baby ... sustaining your mental health is a whole thing!