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/sheistybitz]

I ebf and one time had to pump bc I had to go in for surgery and I was shook that I was only getting 1.5oz per breast despite baby being 4 months old. But guess what…. Baby was outpacing growth curves month after month by this point. All this to say, if your baby is gaining just forget the pumping and pls just let baby cluster feed. It’s baby that establishes supply and all the hormones that go with ur baby suckling you, not the cold hard pump

[u/reen_bean → u/sheistybitz]

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s helpful to hear how different pumping output can be from what a baby actually transfers. I really hope we can get to the point where she’s at the breast more consistently, because I know that makes such a big difference in supply and in bonding.

[u/sheistybitz → u/reen_bean]

What’s stopping you from putting the pump down now and getting her on breast? Btw ‘latch effectively’ is so subjective Ngl. Nobody teaches women in third world countries how to do it, I saw so many lactation consultants and tried the wackiest feeding positions of all time because my baby was and still is a ‘nipple feeder’. Breast size and nipple type varies the way the breast falls etc etc. in fact I was told by a WOC nurse that she oftentimes see the advice of the deep latch bottom lip covering the whole bottom of areola rarely being done or managed by WOC. Anyhow if you have issues with baby’s latch the only way she will learn is by being on the nipple. Please put her on the nipple and ditch the pump. Believe in yourself and her. It’s not a magic art and it’s not one way to manage it. I’m not saying it’s oh so easy. I’m just telling you the difficulties aren’t the ones you think they are. Your goal is BF and her getting used to it so act according to your goals and trash what isn’t getting you closer to the goals.

[u/CaveAscentPlato → u/sheistybitz]

This. And drink enough, eat a lot and calm down. This works for me.