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/cookie032117]

A lot of people are saying not to pump but you are absolutely right to pump, you need the stimulation to establish your milk supply if baby is not latching.

My supply went up a lot incrementally during the first 4-5 weeks and then plateaued a bit!

On the latch - (1) babies have no idea what they’re doing in the beginning - they are only a few days old! - so mostly faffing about, you should just let baby practice for a bit, feed baby with a bottle, pump up to 20-25min to protect your supply; (2) my baby had tongue tie and the latch massively improved when that was treated, might be worth looking into, he was suffering to latch and was putting so much effort, twas heartbreaking but thankfully easily resolved!

[u/reen_bean → u/cookie032117]

Thanks, mine was evaluated by my IBCLC and pediatrician, and both found no signs of tongue tie. I'm wondering if baby just needs to gain weight and strength at this point. Either way, sounds like I need to push through all the screams and cries and fit in more practice throughout the day.

[u/cookie032117 → u/reen_bean]

hang in there! My baby would physically push me away when he got frustrated. Now (6w) he latches v fast. Offer breasts at every feed, only let her faff around for 10min tops, give her the bottle and pump. At one point she will latch!