Out of curiosity

jenniatlanta · June 2012

For those of you who are pumping, when you pump, how much are you getting? I know it depends on the time of day and when LO last fed, but, when I pump, I am only getting about 2 - 3 oz. per session.

Does that seem like a normal amount? I really don't have enough to even start storing milk for when I have to go back to work, so I have been trying to pump more and start a supply. But, as much as DD eats during the day, I can't see how I will get any kind of supply going.

Any suggestions?

JennyJensing · June 2012

I'm trying to build a freezer stash as well and have only been able to do so very slowly. I pump right after LO eats if I feel like she hasn't completely emptied them. Also, if she sleeps for long stretches at night, I'll get up and pump to relieve my engorgement. I pump 1-3 oz at a time and freeze in 2 oz increments. My supply is better in the morning. Also, if you continue pumping for 3-5 minutes after you start getting anything, it will stimulate your supply and you may even find that you have another let-down that you weren't giving enough time for! GL!

mkflower3000 · June 2012

That's about what I get too, and DD has also been a voracious eater lately (she did gain over a pound in 9 days!). She's also not a huge napper lately, so I'm trying to figure out when to fit in pumping sessions.

jenniatlanta · June 2012

JennyJensing:
I'm trying to build a freezer stash as well and have only been able to do so very slowly. I pump right after LO eats if I feel like she hasn't completely emptied them. Also, if she sleeps for long stretches at night, I'll get up and pump to relieve my engorgement. I pump 1-3 oz at a time and freeze in 2 oz increments. My supply is better in the morning. Also, if you continue pumping for 3-5 minutes after you start getting anything, it will stimulate your supply and you may even find that you have another let-down that you weren't giving enough time for! GL!

jenniatlanta · June 2012

Thank you. This is about what I am doing. Good to know others are the same.

GL to you as well.

Chelsey68 · June 2012

The way im making my stash is by bottle feeding him breast milk during the day and nursing him at night. I can pump about 4 oz every 2 to 3 hours and he eats 3 ozs so I can usually stash 5oz a day. Its not much but its something. I pump for about 20-30 minutes.

bellelamb · June 2012

Pumping early in the morning you'll get more because of increase in the hormones that have to do with milk production. If your lo has a long nap try adding a session then every day your supply will adjust and you'll get more. 2-3oz is normal while feeding.

easjer05 · June 2012

I pump exclusively. I average 35 oz per day. I pump a minimum of 7 times per day, sometimes 8 when I can. I average 2 oz on the left and 3 on the right. Lesser in the evenings (when I cluster pump and when prolactin is lower anyway), and greater in the mornings (when my breasts are fuller and prolactin is higher).

Average for moms who are also nursing is 1/2 to 2 ounces. So I would say that 2-3 oz per session is pretty good. It takes awhile to build a stash - it took me 10 days of exclusive pumping before I was fully meeting DD's needs, and longer before I had any cushion. Now I get about 10 extra ounces per day, if not more. Just keep at it, and pump at the same time, if you can to signal your body that this is a normal feeding time. At first, it may take 2-3 sessions to get enough for 1 bottle, but if you keep it up, you'll increase your supply and build your stash no problem.

gatogrrl · June 2012

I only pump overnight, so that probably makes it a lot more than I would get during the day. I usually get about 3 oz from the right, and 2 oz from the left.

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