How much should I be expressing?

UNIR1 · February 2012

My DS is about 2 weeks old and I am breastfeeding him but he still seems hungry so I suppliment with about 2oz of formula. I am also pumping but only getting 1-2 oz at a time. My left breast produces more than my right. I feel like giving up, how much milk should I be expressing? Any supportive words would be helpful.

shotzie · February 2012

1-2 oz is a completely normal amount. But you need to stop giving LO bottles. If LO seems hungry, put him back on the breast. That's how your body gets the signal to make more milk. If you keep supplementing, your supply will probably never catch up to his demands. Newborns have tiny stomachs and breastmilk is easily digested, so they need to eat frequently. That's also how they tell your body how much milk to produce. Also, there's a growth spurt around 2 weeks, so it'll really feel like all he wants to do is nurse. I know it's exhausting, but it gets better. The first six weeks is generally the hardest. The best thing you can do for your supply is nurse, nurse, nurse. Just worry about taking care of yourself and LO right now and let DH take care of everything else.

MommaA117 · February 2012

shotzie:
1-2 oz is a completely normal amount. But you need to stop giving LO bottles. If LO seems hungry, put him back on the breast. That's how your body gets the signal to make more milk. If you keep supplementing, your supply will probably never catch up to his demands. Newborns have tiny stomachs and breastmilk is easily digested, so they need to eat frequently. That's also how they tell your body how much milk to produce. Also, there's a growth spurt around 2 weeks, so it'll really feel like all he wants to do is nurse. I know it's exhausting, but it gets better. The first six weeks is generally the hardest. The best thing you can do for your supply is nurse, nurse, nurse. Just worry about taking care of yourself and LO right now and let DH take care of everything else.

yep. Supplementing leads to more supplementing. You just need to feed a ton. In the beginning DD was always on the boob. Like every hour sometimes. That is what builds your supply. At two weeks I would not mess with pumping. LO sucks more effeciently than a pump. If he seems tired while eating rub his feet, hair etc to stimulate/wake him. It gets easier and actually enjoyable with time. I promise. You just have to make it through this crucial supply building time. Supplementing will only make your supply further suffer. Is he not having enough wet/dirty dipes??

UNIR1 · February 2012

Thanks for the tips. He does get sleepy every time he BFs, but I tickle his cheek and he sucks again. He is getting regular wet/poopy diapers. I think I will lay off the formula a bit more now and make sure to pump when/if I do. I am taking a natural suppliment and breastmilk tea to help bring in my supply. I will try to hang in there. What amount of milk shoud I expect when pumping when my milk does come in?

drcolleen · February 2012

Hate to say it, but there is no "right amount" to express when you are breastfeeding. Some women can nurse well into toddlerhood but are never conditioned to let down to a pump while others EP and produce 2-3x as much as their LO drinks. I agree w/ previous posters, focus on breastfeeding and putting baby to breast and not pumping, then you won't have to formula supplement unless you have some medical reason. Formula supplementation often equates to weaning given that breastfeeding is a demand -> supply arrangement.

karinothing · February 2012

Your milk is in, if you get 1-2 oz. I didn't start pumping till 6 weeks, around 8 weeks is when I started getting more. He is now 3.5 months and I get about 5-6oz at a time, but I only pump once a day.

shotzie · February 2012

Your milk is in. You'll get larger amounts when pumping when your LO is a bit older. You get smaller amounts at first b/c that's all LO needs in the very beginning. I highly recommend checking out www.kellymom.com, it's a great resource about bf'ing.

But really, getting 1-2 oz is a great amount right now. I only got half an oz when I first started pumping with DD1 in the beginning. I wouldn't take any supplements for your supply at this point, let baby tell your body how much milk to make. I'd only turn to herbal supplements/teas if you truly have a low supply - which it doesn't sound like you have.

SoonToBeMsP · February 2012

At two weeks I was getting a similar amount. Now I am getting around 3oz from each breast. Like PP have said, you definitely need to stop supplementing if you want your body to keep up with your LOs demands.

MommaA117 · February 2012

also you say you will pump when you supplement BUT the pump will not get out as much as your LO will. If his diapers are fine then he does not need more.

Just feed feed feed and you will be good

MommaA117 · February 2012

yeah ditto not taking the pills. You seem just fine. You do not want to have to rely on them from the get go. had a very fast gainer in the beginning and was only pumping out less than a half and ounce at first. Not getting a lot from a pump in the beginning is normal....baby is getting much more...

jb2rn · February 2012

You are doing great. Feed, feed, feed, and clean that formula out of your house!!!

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