I started pumping today to build a supply. The LC told me to pump for at least 15 minutes after LO stops nursing. The first time, I was able to pump about 3 ozs total, the second time, I only got an ounce. Does this sound normal?
If that is all I am getting, I'm worried about having enough to build a supply before I go back to work in early October. Will my body learn to produce more milk the more I pump?
Re: Pumping moms
That's great!! I have never pumped after nursing, but usually I'm up a lot later than the baby in the evenings and pump before I got to bed. In that sitting, I usually get enough for one bottle. That and pumping twice at work give me enough for 3 bottles to send with him to day care the next day. I built up my supply by pumping every 2 hours early on and drinking tons of liquids back when he was drinking only 4oz. Now that he is drinking much more, my supply is day to day and I only have enough for 2 bottles in the fridge. I pump every 3-4 hours at work (twice) just because it's hard to go every two hours when there's so much going on. The old LC told me to do also pump for at least 20 minutes, BUT my new LC told me to pump until no more milk comes out. When you completely empty, you're telling your body that it need to produce that much more milk. So that means now I pump for 25-30 minutes with a double pump and usually get about 7-8oz, which is up from the 5-6oz before I pumped to empty. Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps!