Pumping inconsistent # of ounces...

LindseyH033

DD2 is almost 6 months and EBF. At night, for her last feeding before bed, I give her a bottle of expressed breast milk, 5oz. As soon as I put her to bed, I pump so that I don't skip the feeding and also so that I can get the milk I will need for the next night. Back Info: DD1 was also EBF and refused the bottle completely, for the entire year I breastfed her. I didn't want this to happen with DD2 so I've been giving her one bottle a day since she was 3 months old. Lately, when I pump after she goes to bed I'm only getting about 1-1.5oz per breast. Prior to this I was getting around 2 oz from my left and 3oz from my right, making her 5oz bottle. What could be causing the decrease in ounces? I haven't changed anything in my diet, I drink tons of water, I've replaced the membrane's on my pump and checked all the parts to make sure there isn't anything damaged…I'm at a loss. Could my supply be drying up? I want to BF till at least a year and am nervous something is messing up my supply. She is gaining weight perfectly and has plenty of wet diapers per day. Lately she's been pooping every other day, but I heard this is normal for BF babies. 

The last couple days I tried pumping after each feeding (she usually only nurses on one side per feeding so I pumped the opposite side when she was done) but I only got about 1/2 an ounce each time, if that. Since I'm not getting the 5oz at night anymore from pumping I figured I would try and make up for it during the day. I realize I could just stop giving her the bottle and BF for her last feeding of the day but I find she really enjoys the bottle and gets a substantial feeding before bed. She tends to fall asleep at the breast when she's tired so I know she probably wouldn't take as much if I just BF her for this last feeding. Sorry this is so long and rambling..I'm just confused and searching for some input. 

ETA: DD1 (22 months) and DD2 (6 months) have been having a lot of sleep issues the last few weeks. DD1 had a cold and is getting her 2 year molars, DD2 has been very fussy lately and also seems to be teething pretty intensely (although no teeth have popped through yet). DD2 has been up anywhere from 3-5 times a night, previously she would get up once maybe twice to nurse then back to bed. As a result, I have gotten very little sleep. If I'm not up with one its the other. Could this been contributing to the problem? If there even is a "true" problem..

LindseyH033

Thank you for your suggestions/super useful information. I didn't realize 5oz was a lot for a BF baby and assumed since she was drinking it she must need that much. I'm going to try giving her the 2-3oz tonight and finish the feed with nursing. I really appreciate the feedback!

MrsNash07

theresat858 said:

5 ounces is a lot of milk for a bF baby. It could be that your supply has simply regulated.As for the pumping after feedings, 0.5-1 ounce is a completely normal amount.  I would feed her a 2-3 ounce bottle if you want to keep up with a bottle (while pumping), and then let her finish the feed by nursing, since babies are more efficient than the pump.

Wow!! I pump less now than I did at the beginning too. I started out pumping alot now I'm down to 30-40ml each breast. (I do not nurse, my baby girl doesn't latch on to me...plus she cries everytime I try to nurse, so I pump my milk). I thought there was something wrong with me...I thought I was drying up. I'm relieved that .5-1ml pumped from each breast. I normally feed my baby (2 wks old) about 2oz bottle every feeding. I was getting worried about it. Right now I'm drinking mother's milk tea & fenugreek to stimulate my supply.  :-bd

hollystutz

It's very normal to have less milk by the end of the day. I have a very abundant supply and I'll pump before I go to bed and still only get 0-2 oz. If you are worried about supply you could add a pumping session around 3am to increase and that's when supply is supposed to be at the highest. It sounds like you're doing great though. I get stressed if my supply seems to have changed by an ounce or so but it always seems to come right back, so don't stress and keep working hard!

LindseyH033

Thank you all so much for the feedback and support! @sing2phins I did get my PP period and have been getting one regularly for the past 3 months. I do notice that around the time I'm expecting my period my supply changes. I'm actually due to get it next week so maybe that is contributing to the dip also. @BeaF12 I'm going to eat some oatmeal today, I forgot that's a good way to increase milk supply! 

As much as I love BF, it can be so stressful sometimes!!

[Deleted User]

I was having the exact same issue about a month ago (DS is 9 1/2 months now).  My supply has dipped some overall, but it's especially low by the end of the day.  I've added in pumping sessions where I can find time and started taking more milk plus (the liquid not tablets) and my supply seems to have rebounded.