Is 2oz enough to pump each session?

courtneyklv

I try to pump every 3-4 hours. I have been ok except haven't done it overnight. I pump about 4-5 times a day.  This is for 10 minutes each side. Long enough?

 Baby may latch 2 times a day. If not she gets pumped milk with bottle.

 I don't feel like I am getting enough though..maybe up to 10oz a day?

How can I increase it? 

tokenhoser

Honestly? No. If you want to establish a good supply that will allow you to breastfeed long term, you need to be pumping 8-10 x a day right now. Every 2 hours during the day and every 3-4 overnight.

Pumping more frequently will help you increase your supply. 

Hang in there! There's a pump log here to help keep track: 

https://www.llli.org/docs/0000000000000001WAB/WAB_Tear_sheet_Toolkit/20_pumpigchart.pdf

courtneyklv

Oh wow! Had no idea. Ok. Will do that. I was doing the 3 or more hours because that is what I did when in hospital and engorged.  

 How many minutes per breast u think? 

tokenhoser

15 min per side

RA1109

Put away the pump and feed on demand.  There's no reason for your baby to get pumped milk at this age.  Baby is MUCH more productive than pump.  The pump is just going to screw you up this early.

ETA:  Even if you were exclusively pumping, you should be doing so every 2-3 hours around the clock, which is how often the baby should feed.  Not to freak you out but you are setting your supply at this point and you need to get off on the right foot if you want BFing to work.  Good luck!

courtneyklv

One more question...

Lets say I wasn't going to pump but just nurse and baby only eats every few hours or more..

 

Would my body make enough then? Is the pumping just tricking it to make more milk then baby would drink? 

courtneyklv

RA1109:

Put away the pump and feed on demand.  There's no reason for your baby to get pumped milk at this age.  Baby is MUCH more productive than pump.  The pump is just going to screw you up this early.

Baby only latches occasionally and so far, on one side only. Now I'm confused.  

tokenhoser

IF your baby can latch and eat, feeding the baby directly is much better than pumping. The baby takes what she needs, your body makes what she needs. It finds it's own equilibrium.

If you're working with a non-latching baby, you need to pump in the meantime to keep your milk flowing. You should also be working with a lactation consultant to get your baby drinking at the breast, but I'm guessing you can't do that tonight. 

There's lots of ideas here for helping her get back on the breast:

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

RA1109

You should definitely find a lactation consultant to work with you on the latch.  Substituting pumping for breastfeeding should be a last resort when you're trying to establish supply.  Exclusively bfing is ideal at the beginning, but work with an LC if you're having trouble and they can help with your specific problems.

micaela421

RA1109:

You should definitely find a lactation consultant to work with you on the latch.  Substituting pumping for breastfeeding should be a last resort when you're trying to establish supply.  Exclusively bfing is ideal at the beginning, but work with an LC if you're having trouble and they can help with your specific problems.

Ditto  

courtneyklv

Thank you ladies. I will work on her latching every single time..even if it only on the left side.  And will pump from just the right every 2 hours until she latches on that side too. 

javanut

I can't offer advice on latching but when I was trying to up my pump output I increased my pump time to 20 minutes. It was enough to get a second let down. I also used breast compressions and that helped me go from 2 to 3 oz.

courtneyklv

javanut:

I can't offer advice on latching but when I was trying to up my pump output I increased my pump time to 20 minutes. It was enough to get a second let down. I also used breast compressions and that helped me go from 2 to 3 oz.

heat compression? 

tokenhoser

https://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/breast-compression.html

bluejetta

javanut:

I can't offer advice on latching but when I was trying to up my pump output I increased my pump time to 20 minutes. It was enough to get a second let down. I also used breast compressions and that helped me go from 2 to 3 oz.

This.  I echo finding a LC to help.  I had bad latch issues the first few weeks and if not for the LC who came to my home I would have quit it was that bad but she helped me keep with it.  I also pump 20 min to try and get the second let down which helps me get 4 ounces total in a session (instead of 2) which for me is a lot.