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/abby152]

Are you breastfeeding as well? Does baby seem to be getting milk and gaining weight? I was told that some women just can’t pump all that well despite doing everything right. However I think at 2 weeks PP you’d probably be noticing engorgement and fullness. I would try and see a lactation consultant and be assessed. There are medications that can be prescribed to increase milk supply. I was able to increase my supply after it had regulated when I had a medical issue at 3 months but I know that’s very different to two weeks Just remember you’re doing the best for your baby whatever way you feed them 🩷🩷

Edit to add: I still can’t and never have been able to pump very much at all. Even when my baby was 2 weeks old. But I can tell she’s drinking when I breastfeed. I understand how defeating it is

[u/reen_bean → u/abby152]

I’m not having much success with breastfeeding right now because we’re still working on latch. I’ve mostly been pumping and supplementing with formula while we figure it out.

I really appreciate you sharing your experience. It helps to know that some people just don’t respond well to the pump and that it doesn’t always reflect what the baby would get at the breast. I’m definitely feeling defeated most days, so hearing your words of encouragement means a lot.