How much are you pumping? The most I've ever gotten at once was about 6-7 ounces then about 3-4 ounces each time I pump throughout the day. My LO is 11 weeks old. I am trying to get a freezer stash and it's just not accumulating. I feel like I am at the low end of milk production.
Re: BF moms who pump...
DD Born August 16, 2012
I tried fenugreek and blessed thistle, and I had a little success, I've seen more success with the Domperidone that im taking. I also gag down oatmeal because I hate it and drink pineapple juice to help
DD Born August 16, 2012
I get about 1 or 2 ounces between nursing sessions and 2 or 3 in place of a nursing session. Since I rarely pump in place of one, it usually takes me 2 to 4 pumping sessions to make one 4oz bottle for her.
You dont want to go by your pumping output, it's not a reliable indicator of how much milk you are producing. I was taking Fenugreek and I caused an oversupply with it, which in turn made her reflux worse. She was having a hard time with my letdowns being too strong. Now that I've stopped, she does much better with feedings.
Also, most BF babies really only need 4oz. They'll take more with a bottle because it's faster, but they're likely only getting about 4oz at the breast. Or so I've been told.
SCANDAL!
Woah, hold on. You get 9-11 oz each time you pump?? How much do you pump over 24 hours? I EP for three weeks, then didn't touch the pump for five weeks, and my freezer stash is a little over 400 oz right now.
I had to start EP because my LO has awful reflux so the pedi told me to pump and add cereal to the BM to help her stomach. I know that what I get pumping isn't the same as what she gets BFing. But I see so many posts about people having an insane amount stashed away and I have nothing just enough to get her through the day and sometimes I even have to supplement with formula sometimes when I can't keep up with her. How the heck do you people have 100's of oz stashed away?!?
Before my supply regulated, I was pumping about 15oz a session! Now its 9 to 11, every time. I pump four to five times a day, depending on whether I work that day or not...so about 40 to 55 ounces a day, depending on the day. I don't drink half as much water as I should though. On days I do, I can get close to 15 again.
SCANDAL!
I think the other ladies are on to something with saying you have to build your freezer stash at the beginning.
FWIW my daughter has taken to formula supplementation just fine. She gets half formula/half bm and had no major side effects from a regular cows milk formula. It's not the worst thing in the world for your LO if you end up needing to supplement
I understand. My doctor wanted us to do that too. Luckily for us the Zantac has it under control and my supply has regulated so it's no where near as bad.
Since you EP could you try taking supplements? How long are your sessions and how often are you pumping? I think some pumpers go up to 4 to 6 hours to get that much...someone correct me if Im wrong. They've probably been pumping that much since before their supply regulated too, around 6 weeks. Before my supply regulated I was getting 6 to 7 ounces, now Im lucky if I get 2 or 3, but Im not an EP, I nurse too. But if they were continuing to tell their body they needed a lot, then Im sure that's where it comes from. I know this is the case why some moms have oversupply, because they were pumping a lot in the beginning. Maybe try supplements like Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle? But supplementing with formula is fine too! Don't be too hard on yourself. Your LO is still getting plenty if BM!
GL!
i've been told that, too. I'm not worried about my supply while nursing, just how difficult it as been to build a freezer stash. Hopefully I will still be able to pump enough for DD when I go back to work in a week.
My best friend had a very hard time with her supply. She tried fenugreek, blessed thistle, domperidone, all the herbs and teas, and mothers milk plus. Then she started an over the counter med called GoLacta it worked wonders for her. I think you can buy it over the Internet or your local baby store might sell it.
I have the opposite problem I have an insane over supply. I usually pump 4 times a day as soon as LO is done eating and get 11 to 13 oz. It worked out though because I was able to donate milk to her while she was struggling with her supply. Since our boys are only 3 weeks apart.
I will defintely do some research on this! I'm willing to try anything!
I've noticed since I rented the Symphony that I get SO much more milk when pumping. I pump every time DD eats so that my body knows when she's eating. I usually pump every 2 hours when DH is home and can watch DD. I had a pump from The First Years and would get maybe an ounce from 40 mintues of pumping, and with the Symphony I get 1oz each side in the morning.
DD Born August 16, 2012
How much pinapple juice are you drinking each day?
DD Born August 16, 2012
This is me exactly. Except I tried fenugreek and it gave LO gas so I stopped. My stash is dismal. He takes 2 bottles while I am at work...one BM and one formula.