Hi ladies!
I own a Medela Pump in Style Advanced and it works great for me while I'm at work (I work part-time), but sometimes in the evenings lately I want to boost my back-up milk supply. We have completely run out of extra milk because my five month old's appetite has increased and I am not pumping enough at work for the following day. It has been sort of a hassle because I am very happy and excited by daughter is eating more and increasing her appetite, but I am stressed that I am not bringing home enough for the following day. I used to be able to bring home enough to feed her AND have some left over to store away. I should edit that my milk supply is not dwindling.
I have a two-fold question. First, when I am away, let's say for 6 hours, I have read online I should leave my baby between 9-11 ounces of milk. How can I increase what I am pumping at work on my breaks? I have switched to pumping twice a day, but I only got an ounce and a half more than doing one break.
Also, pumping at night while I'm home with my baby is a bit of a hassle. I will do it, of course, but I feel that a good hand pump would be easier for me to use than the multi-part double electric pump. I know it may not extract as much, but for when I just need that extra ounce or two, it seems to be the best option for me. What is the best manual breast pump? I've looked at the Medela Harmony and the Lansinoh (which has wonderful reviews).
I feel like I am obsessed with breast milk these days. I think about it all day at work, calculating how much I have, how much I should leave my baby, and how to amplify my emergency milk stash. Can anyone shed some light on my situation or offer any advice?
Thanks!