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Change in pump output

73jewels73jewels member
in Breastfeeding
Hi - I don't post a lot, but have gotten some great breastfeeding advice from you, so thank you!  
Here is my current situation.  My son will be 4 months old next week and has been EBF since birth.  I went back to work full time a month ago and have been pumping at work.  When I first started pumping, I was pumping 2 X per day and getting 4  4 + oz bottles (easily) from the 2 pumps per day.  DC feeds him 3 4 oz bottles per day, sometimes I fill them a little fuller (4 1/2 oz).  
After a bit I noticed that early in the week I would produce more then I did late in the week.  I talked to some people who said that was normal.  I was still always getting at least the 3 bottles I needed for the next day so I Was not concerned.  I noticed late last week it was getting even harder to get the 3 bottles pumped and 1 day I had to pull half a bottle from  my frozen stash (still not a big deal).  
I was sick all weekend but breastfed anyway and my son seemed to eat like normal.  Now I am at work and just finished my second pump of the day and between the 2 pumps, I just got 2 bottles.
My question isn't really about how to increase my supply, but if my son is suddenly not getting enough to eat.  He is a very easygoing baby... is he just not complaining that he's still hungry after nursing?  OR is he getting enough from nursing but suddenly I'm not able to produce for the pump?

Any ideas?
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Re: Change in pump output

  • 73jewels73jewels member
    Thank you - 
    I was pretty dehydrated when I was sick as I didn't really eat or drink anything for 2 days so maybe it is just catching up with me.  
    The other thing I did forget to mention is that out of nowhere, he hasn't pooped since Saturday and he usually goes 2-4 times per day. 
    I have various parts that I use interchangebly, and about 8 different white membranes, I will be sure to switch them out tonight and see if that helps.
    Thanks
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  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    i agree with PP that your supply might be regulating now-- you might need to pump 3x a day to maintain your supply. i pumped 3x a day for the first few months in order to get what DS needed (plus a couple of ounces extra per day). he also took 3, 4 or 4 1/2-oz bottles for the first few months.

    i'm sure your DS is getting enough while at the breast if he seems content and has plenty of wet diapers. but, again, you may need to add another pumping session to keep your supply up while you're at work.
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  • hollandmamahollandmama member
    Sing2phins said:
    If baby is content after eating and has plenty of diapers, he's getting enough to eat.  Check your pump parts to be sure everything is in working order, including and especially the white membrane on the valve (if you use a Medela pump).  Also focus on hydration.

    Sounds like you had oversupply, if you could get 16 ounces from 2 pumps, so it might just be that your supply is finally regulating, I don't know.  But you should check the usual suspects  (hydration, calories, pump maintenance) to be sure everything else is in order.
    This, I had the same issue and when I changed the white membranes I got much more milk. Try that and hydration + calories, if it doesn't change I would add an extra pumping session.
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  • 73jewels73jewels member
    Thank you all for the advice.  I was able to drink a more normal amount of water, so I am more hydrated, and I had a new, unopened packet of the membranes which I swapped in today, and I am currently pumping. We will see how it goes.
      
    I am really hoping to be able to continue to get enough from 2 pumps a day (about 12 - 14  ounces) since I really can't add another session and want to continue!

    Oh, and as to the poop, he finally went last night :)

    Follow up - as I was typing this I was pumping and I've been going for the usual time (around 10-15 minutes) and I only have about 2 ounces from one side and 1 1 /2 ounces from the other side.  So it looks like it is not the membranes or the hydration.  I have not yet really picked up on my eating yet (no appetite back) so hopefully that will help, but it looks like my supply may have changed.
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