Is 5 oz a lot to pump on one side on a regular basis?

championmama · May 2009

My LC was so impressed when I told her this. I thought everyone did this. I had to call her today and ask if I should wake Natalie up during the night b/c sh'es already sleeping 6.5 hours at night.

I pump about 1-2X a day as a pump only session. I want to build up a good stash when I return to work when school starts back in August. I also pump if she doesn't eat much at a feeding. During the pump only sessions, I usually get about avg of 4 oz out of each side and when I pump immediately after a feeding, I get 2-3 oz, usually 2.

I was able to get a lot like that when I pumped after having Blaire, but I only pumped once a day, and never after a feeding. Plus, my supply went down at 5 months b/c I returned to work and couldn't find time to pump at work. I wasn't in the school then, I was at a rehab center. I'll have a better schedule to pump this fall.

I wanted to make sure I have a full stash and keep a good supply going this time. She's 6 weeks old and I have about 60 bags of BM frozen, with about 76-8 oz. in each bag. Is this not the norm?

Luzesmeralda · May 2009

Wow!!! That's a lot. As long as you don't have oversupply (green diapers, fusiness, etc.) then you're golden. Lucky!

Stacyc625 · May 2009

Not really 'alot' per se. Its a good amount. Cheers to having some extra milk with pumping. will come in handy.

jenella17 · May 2009

You're making me jealous! I can pump 2-3oz in the morning only and about 1oz if I pump later in the day... Sad

kds24 · May 2009

Well up until about 2 weeks ago that's what I was getting at a minimum, but I'm beginning to think I had an oversupply and now my body is regulating itself (haven't started solids yet). Now I wish I pumped more and had more of a stash, but I took it for granted and now I only get .5- 2 oz. at a time.

julyjennifer · May 2009

I think 5 oz per side is a generous normal amount.

I think the size of your stash for the age of your child is pretty big.

ourbaby08 · May 2009

I think it's better than average but I wouldn't necessarily consider it "a lot". My good breast (produces about 70% of my milk) pretty much gives me about 7-8 ounces per pump. My lazy breast comes in around 3.

Genny2118 · May 2009

ourbaby08:
I think it's better than average but I wouldn't necessarily consider it "a lot". My good breast (produces about 70% of my milk) pretty much gives me about 7-8 ounces per pump. My lazy breast comes in around 3.

This is pretty much how it works for me too. I have wondered if I have a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance though. DS has had a few greener looking poos this week, but it's also been a weird week for us.... I had to leave him with a babysitter for two 8 hour days because I had to be in court for a trial. I left pumped bottles and then when I got home at night and fed him I was so engorged and I'm sure he got more foremilk in those sessions. I'm going to wait a few more days to see if things don't even out before I do something about it.

LisaJ_MOH · May 2009

I always produced way more milk than my daughter could consume (and she was a good eater and a chubby baby). I pumped at work and I could easily get 6-8 ounces on each side. This continued the entire 13 months that I nursed. I accumulated quite a stash over the months. I rarely missed a pumping or feeding though.

I don't think this is the "norm" but it is certainly not comething to be concerned about. Be happy you're blessed!

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Is 5 oz a lot to pump on one side on a regular basis?

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