For full time breastfeeding moms. . .how many oz do you pump at once?

JWSchwarz · January 2012

Hi,

I'm wondering what the average range for how many oz you should get out of one pumping session. I breastfeed full time so I've been squeezing one pumping session in each day to try to build up an emergency stash. I'll also be returning to work and pumping but not as concerned with that right now. Kellymoms.com says average is about 1/2 to 2 oz total per session. Does this sound right?

vonhva03 · January 2012

Usually between 2 and 3 oz out of each breast.

valzee · January 2012

I pump 3x a day at work and get anywhere from 4-5.5 oz. per session (total.) LO eats 5-6 oz per feeding so he's outpacing me by a little but it's not too bad.

You'll get much more if you pump in the morning rather than the evening.

courtneyklv · January 2012

only 2-3oz total for both

hmmm

tangerine1126 · January 2012

For your LO being so young I think that sounds about right. I also looked on kellymom (https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html) and it gives you a little math problem to do so you have an idea of how much you should be pumping for each meal (25 oz/day from 1month-6months divided by how many times baby eats).

CurbsideProphet · January 2012

I would only pump for comfort at that age. When do you return to work?

Fisherman'sWife · January 2012

It depends on the mom but also because you are adding an additional session in the day as opposed to replacing a session. If I add a session I get less than 2 ounces total but while at work and replacing a feeding I get 4-6 ounces (total)

tarahnpaul · January 2012

Well it depends on their age. For a 1 week old, that sounds fine. At first, my LO basically ate everything I was making. It was 2 months in or so that I started really freezing anything.

pepomntpat · January 2012

I would stop pumping until you get closer to six weeks. Let LO set your supply and go from there.

When I did pump I would get anywhere from 1/2 to 5 ounces. It depended on when I pumped, when LO last ate, etc. There is quite a wide range. You will get more when you are pumping instead of feeding than you will when you pump in addition to feeding.

cmb0118 · January 2012

I only pump once a day in addition to bfing full time to build a stash also. Typically in the morning, I will pump about 3-4 oz total.

BritanyV · January 2012

I agree with a PP that said maybe you should wait to pump for a stash for a few more weeks so that your supply is regulated by your LO.

I had to pump in the beginning for LO because he was a preemie and then I had to get on antibiotics that I had to pump and dump to keep my supply....well I am now dealing with major oversupply. LO ebf's then I pump twice a day and get at least 16 ounces total at each pump session and I'm not even completely draining each breast.

Having an oversupply is definitely no fun at all!

pierogigirl · January 2012

I pump in the am and get 3-5 oz total. If I pump later in the day to replace a missed feeding I only get 2-3 oz. I could not pump at all with my first (I am not a good responder to the pump) so I am pumping to build my freezer stash for when I go back to work. Luckily I have a long maternity leave and LO will be eating solids then, so hopefully I can keep up with him.

I started pumping around week 1 or 2 and did not have any problems with oversupply. Everyone responds differently as pps have mentioned.

JWSchwarz · January 2012

Thanks for all the good feedback everyone!

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For full time breastfeeding moms. . .how many oz do you pump at once?

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