breastmilk: minimum oz. for benefit?

Breezy8407 · August 2012

I had planned on weaning from the pump completely at 3 months, but have continued with one time a day and get about 8-9 oz. The babies eat about 5 oz per bottle each, so they are getting one bottle a day of breastmilk with a little formula mixed in if necessary to get to the full 5 oz.

I remember reading (or at least I think) that 2oz a day still provides benefits like antibodies, but I am wondering if it's worth it for them to get just one bottle a day?

I am pumping in the morning before work, so it's not that big of a challenge, but it is taking longer now and I wouldn't mind getting to work earlier/sleeping more if it's not worth it.

srbmvp · August 2012

I don't know for sure, but I've heard even 0.5oz a day of BM has benefits, so if you are able to still give them one bottle (or close too), that is awesome! I would say keep it up, for the sake of the antibodies and such, unless it is just driving you crazy to keep pumping. Remember, what's most important is a happy mommy, and with or without BM, your babies will do just fine.

Breezy8407 · August 2012

Thanks ladies. I know I have always heard "every drop counts." And I don't mind giving up sleep or taking the time to do it at all. I am ready to be done, but this once a day thing isn't so bad compared to 7 of days past

(Oh and I did Google this. When I see questions like this sometimes I think "just google it?" Stick out tongue )

mars724 · August 2012

Any amount is good for baby, I stoped around 6weeks because I was only getting like an ounce a day.

LottaLattes · August 2012

I'd say one pump for one bottle is great! I would love to hear your weaning from the pump plan as well. I'm not quite there yet but will be someday.

Jen0204 · August 2012

I've heard 2 ounces as well. I stopped at 3 months when I was pumping 6 times a day and just getting 7 ounces in total. If I was getting 8-9 ounces in one pump I would have definitely kept going, that's awesome!

For PP who asked about weaning, I was getting a really small amount but I took some Sudafed and Claritin for 3 days and was done. I stopped on a Friday, was in so much pain Saturday that I had to pump (and got a whopping 2 ounces), and that was the last time I was in pain. I wore nursing pads for a week but didn't leak outside of the shower, and even that stopped after about 4 days.

Breezy8407 · August 2012

Thanks everyone. I assumed my supply would have dried up gradually and that is when I would stop, but it's stayed about the same amount for the past week.

LottaLattes:
I'd say one pump for one bottle is great! I would love to hear your weaning from the pump plan as well. I'm not quite there yet but will be someday.

Long story short, I just gradually dropped sessions about one for every 3-4 days. It was really motivated by starting back at work and not being able to take multiple pumping breaks. I have read you are supposed to pump just enough to make yourself comfortable when trying to wean completely, but I was uncomfortable until I pumped all the way. And, if I go through the work and time to do it, I might as well get enough to give the babies! My next plan is to try to go longer than 24 hours between sessions, and eventually stop. I might take some sudafed when I am ready to be completely done.

It has been painful each time I have dropped a session, but my body has adjusted pretty quickly.

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breastmilk: minimum oz. for benefit?

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