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12-26-2012 at 2:10 PM
SnShne322
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Joined on 11-26-2007
Massachusetts
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SnShne322 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 9:33 AMGold

Fenugreek Question (EP)

I've been EPing since my DS was about a week old.  Breastfeeding was not working and he wouldn't latch. Even with a shield he wasn't eating enough.  I started EPing and I've had a lot of success.  I started back at work and pumping at work is not working well.  I don't have a good place to pump.  I'm currently using someones office who is on leave, but they will be returning 1/2/13.  Even pumping only 5 times per day (about 6 to 7 ounces per pump), I have enough supply with only supplementing with formula for convenience (out shopping, etc) and I have about 375 ounces stored.

I have every intention on continuing pumping, but skipping pumping at work.  Doing so will make it likely that I will have to supplement with my freezer stash or formula for a bottle (maybe 2) per day. I'm OK with this, but I had a question about Fenugreek.   Will this help in my situation? I know that many moms do the overnight stretch with no problem, but I don't know how that works with this supplement.  Currently I'm still getting up once at night to pump and my long stretch would be from 6:30AM to 5PM.  It seems like this would essentially be like an overnight stretch, just in the daytime.

Would Fenugreek help in my situation? Or since I don't really have a supply issue, but a number of pumps (4 times a day) issue that it would be counterproductive? Or would using up my stash and supplementing make more sense in my situation?

TIA!

 


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12-26-2012 at 2:29 PM
mabenner1
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Skipping all day may kill your supply. That is a very long time. Can you pump in your car?  Have you asked your employer about setting you up a private place to pump?  Fenugreek can help, but not enough to compensate for missing 12 hours of pump time.

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12-26-2012 at 2:45 PM
SnShne322
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Massachusetts
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SnShne322 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 9:33 AMGold

mabenner1:
Skipping all day may kill your supply. That is a very long time. Can you pump in your car?  Have you asked your employer about setting you up a private place to pump?  Fenugreek can help, but not enough to compensate for missing 12 hours of pump time.

I have asked them for a place, but all they can supply me with is someone's office, which I'm not sure I'm comfortable with.  The second issue is that I only have a half hour for lunch and I don't have enough time to get to my car (long walk) and drive to a place that I would be comfortable pumping.

It really comes down to that, yes, I could do it if I was really determined, but I'm very uncomfortable with my options.


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12-26-2012 at 3:11 PM
jessican08
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Druidia
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That is a long stretch.

It sucks not having a place to pump at work. I have to run out to my car to pump during work and then I pump on the way to and from work - is that an option for you (pumping while driving)? It's weird, don't get me wrong, but I haven't gotten any funny looks yet. I just use my pumping bra, then I put on a zip up hoodie or jacket - no one seems to notice and I guess I ultimately don't care if they do!

I'm taking the Motherlove supplement (which is Fenugreek) - I can't say whether or not it helps my supply but I was worried about it dropping off when I started back to work. My two also get a bottle or two of formula a day so they're not on BM exclusively.

I pump about every 3 hours from 9am to 9pm and then nurse during night feedings which right now amounts to about 2x/night and for their first morning feed (6am or 7am).

If pumping in the car won't work for you I would take them up on the offer of using an office. It's not ideal but it beats sitting in the bathroom or in your car. GL!


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12-26-2012 at 7:34 PM
MrsBigTime
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SnShne322:

The second issue is that I only have a half hour for lunch and I don't have enough time to get to my car (long walk) and drive to a place that I would be comfortable pumping.

It really comes down to that, yes, I could do it if I was really determined, but I'm very uncomfortable with my options.

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions for your question, but I did want to say that you should be provided with more than your lunch break for pumping. Our state mandates women who are pumping or breastfeeding be given additional breaks for doing so, and they should be provided a place in which to do so (a place that is not a bathroom). Look into your state's laws to see what your rights are. I don't say that to be oppositional to your work at all, but to support you and help give you some peace of mind that using your lunch to pump should not be your only opportunity to do so.  

12-27-2012 at 8:30 AM
laurenhank...
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I am not sure what sort of work you do or how many employees your places has but federal law mandates that if your employer has more than 50 employess they HAVE to provide you w/ a private place to pump (not a bathroom) and sufficient time to do so.  If your place of employment is big enough you need to do this for you and your baby's sake.  Here is the link

Seriously, I had to go to HR w/ this and they finally set me up w/ a room.  Obama set this up in his Healthcare Reform Act for employers have to abide. 


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12-27-2012 at 9:33 AM
SnShne322
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Massachusetts
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SnShne322 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 9:33 AMGold

Thank ladies.  It's not that they won't provide me with a place, it's just not a comfortable one for me.  I work in the automotive industry with mostly men and I'm having trouble "bucking up" and dealing with the fact that it's mostly men around me.  It's not super pump friendly. It's either I displace my coworkers or use grubby closets that haven't been cleaned since the 70's. I knew that there was a good chance that pumping might not work out at work.  My latest goal was to make it to the New Year and see how it was going.

My supply has been keeping up so far with 5 pumps a day and still freezing about 8-12 ounces a week.  Not a ton, but still more than what DS needs at the moment.  I'll try going for a drive at lunch and seeing how that goes.  I think I'm more comfortable with that then hearing my male coworkers 10 feet away while I'm pumping.  I'm also going to look into a pumping bra.  I kept putting it off since I just didn't know how long pumping would pan out.  I've far surpassed my original goal of a month so maybe it's time to make the investment for my ease of use.


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12-29-2012 at 4:09 AM
hidges
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Atlanta
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hidges is not online. Last active: 04-28-2013, 7:28 PMNewbie
I suggest getting a pumping bra and a Breastfeeding cover and just use your car. Good luck. Don't let anyone shame you or make you feel uncomfortable about providing breast milk for your baby! 

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