I don't think I'm pumping enough- am I having a supply issue?

elampl

I have started back to work and  I'm concerned I might have a supply problem because I'm not pumping exactly what my LO needs.   LO (9weeks) nurses about 7-9 times a day (2-3.5 hours apart)  so I am making 3oz bottles.  She is in daycare from about 8am-430pm.  I pack four 3oz bottles, more often than not, she only  has three bottles, but I pack an extra one just in case. 

I pump once in the morning while she is nursing and I get 3-4 oz. 

 I pump to replace her feedings at work and usually get a total of 7 oz: 3 oz at 9am, 2 oz at 11-12, 2 oz at 3pm.  When I use the morning pump I have enough for the bottles for the next day, but I thought I was supposed to be able to pump enough at the replaced feedings for her bottles for the next day. 

 

Sorry to be confusing but I want to know if I am going to have a supply issue with pumping so I can take preventative measures if needed. 

tokenhoser

What you're experiencing is pretty common. If you're able to get enough today for tomorrow, I don't think you have a problem. Some women respond better to the pump than others. You may find you get a bit more as you get into a routine at work. How long are you pumping when you pump?

elampl

I stop producing at about 7-8 minutes so I've pumping for about 12 minutes?  I read somewhere to pump 5 minutes after I stop producing milk

jlsimon56

Ditto.  My 2nd letdown is at the 20 minute mark.  I don't double my output, but nearly.  (So, if I get 2oz first, I'll get another 1.5oz....total 3.5oz.)

mrs.gee

As everyone else has said, it's normal. I pump 5x a day (once before work, after DS has eaten, 3x at work and once after he goes to bed) to make up 3 or 4 bottles for him. Some days I barely pump enough, some days I have maybe an oz extra.

One trick is to pump longer for a second let down. If I'm in a rush I will also restart the pump on the "letdown" setting when I stop getting milk and trigger the let down that way. Then I always go for one more before I give up for the pumping session. It takes me 25-30 min to pump each time and I get between 2.5-4.5oz per session, but if I stopped at 8 minutes I'd have 1oz per session! GL.

JWSchwarz

mrs.gee:

As everyone else has said, it's normal. I pump 5x a day once before work, after DS has eaten, 3x at work and once after he goes to bed to make up 3 or 4 bottles for him. Some days I barely pump enough, some days I have maybe an oz extra. One trick is to pump longer for a second let down. If I'm in a rush I will also restart the pump on the "letdown" setting when I stop getting milk and trigger the let down that way. Then I always go for one more before I give up for the pumping session. It takes me 2530 min to pump each time and I get between 2.54.5oz per session, but if I stopped at 8 minutes I'd have 1oz per session! GL.

Hitting the letdown button after i think i'm done almost always brings another letdown which really adds up. And don't stress. If you happen to need more occasionally you could always pump in the night if you didn't have enough.

kcircell

Pretty much making the same amount you do.  It is normal.  I pump 6 times a day to get 14 or so oz for her 4 or 5 bottles.