I think my boobs are broken....

AngelaL814

I read so much about what other BFing moms are pumping and I think my boobs are broken. I'm lucky to get 5oz in a day and others are getting more than that at a time!! I take fenugreek, drink tons of water, eat oatmeal every day, it doesn't seem to help. G is going to day care starting Tuesday and after a week, I may have enough frozen BM to last a day and a half. What am I doing wrong?

ssstephanie214

I always feel this way when others talk about their amazing boobs. My doctor said 1 oz after a feeding is a good amount to pump. Yes it's frustrating for me since I'd like to make bottles in addition to bfing but oh well I just can't make a lot more than my baby eats I guess.

skschumacher

I'm in the same boat, @AngelaL814‌. Since LO is a preemie, we are (by dr's orders) feeding her fortified BM three times a day. For those feedings, I pump while DH feeds her the bottle. She's up to eating 3.5-4oz at a time, but I can only pump 2 or 2.5 max! So frustrating, and worries me because I hear most moms get less milk pumping at work.

AngelaL814

I'm worried my supply is low and will just decrease when I go back to work. She seems satisfied when she nurses, but you can't ever gage how much BM she gets like a bottle. She does take a full 4oz bottle at night so that's the math I'm going with. If she eats 4oz a time at day care, 4x a day, I need 16oz a day to send with her.

My pump parts are all semi new and I had the funnel sucky thing (very technical term) fitted by the LC at the hospital so I assume it's right.

AngelaL814

@AeandJb‌ I may need to get larger funnel sucky things. My boobs have gotten larger since the release from the hospital. I'll check on that, thanks!

brittgrant2727

I don't think you're doing anything "wrong". I think that's pretty average for most moms. I have been worried about this too. The more research I do says that on average, most women are pumping 0.5oz-4oz per session (both breast combined) I don't think pumping is as efficient as the little baberz. I definitely tend to yield more in the am but pump at the same time in the pm to try to increase my night supply. I am exclusively breastfeeding but sometimes need expressed milk for appointments, outings, etc. when bf'ing is hard to do.. It so hard not to stress about if your babies eating enough but if they are gaining weight and have lots of wet diapers, they are probably fine. I tend to psyche myself out too.. Keep it up! It's so easy to get discouraged when you think youre not adequate. I always love to recieve encouragement from other moms!

babyknutson

I feel you!  I have even squeezed my boobs to see if that helps... i have started drinking more water and tried a hot shower  and relaxing music before pumping and that seems to help ...a little.

alysonmh

I could hardly pump anything while I was home full time nursing, I'm talking an 1/8 of an ounce here and there, I never could have even pumped the 5 oz a day that you are. What you are going through is completely normal, you aren't going to be able to pump a lot while nursing because LO is emptying you out. Once I went back to work and was only pumping during the day I was able to pump 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours because LO wasn't there draining my breasts. I also only had about a days worth of milk pumped when I went back and was worried but it all worked out because I was able to pump enough at work to keep little one fed for the next day. Sounds like you are producing plenty and it great shape for LO to go to daycare.