Hi, all. I read the thread about pumping for an emergency stash, and decided to start this thread instead of hijacking that one! I've been pumping 2-3 times most days for the last few weeks in order to build up an emergency stash and to get my son (3 months old) used to a bottle for times when we need a sitter. When I pump after I nurse, I hardly get any milk at all. If I pump on a breast that hasn't been nursed in a while, I get maybe 2 ounces. Is this normal? My son most definitely gets plenty to eat - he's a big, healthy boy! He eats every 2 hours throughout the day, so I find it challenging to make time for pumping in between as it is. Do you all have any suggestions?
Thanks :)
Goinatural
08-26-2009, 02:58 PM
Does he take both breasts? If not you could pump one while ne nurses, the best time is usually first thing in the morning.
LnzsOut
08-27-2009, 11:33 AM
He does usually just nurse on one breast. I haven't tried pumping and nursing at the same time - I'll give that a shot. Thanks for the tips!
burnsis
08-27-2009, 11:39 AM
depended on the time of day for me, and when he ate last....and if I was feeling stressed or pressured to pump, output was also diminished. pumps aren't a reliable indication of what he is getting from actually nursing...so don't stress about that part.
Chey
08-27-2009, 12:25 PM
I generally pump first thing in the morning. I feed the baby on the less full breast and pump the one that is engorged. I get upto 5oz. When I pump during the day I usually get 1oz or so for each hour it has been since I last nursed. Does that make sense? I usually pump about 5-8oz per day and that is doing one big pump in the morning and then another smaller one in the evening. Again, I usually pump again right after I nurse the baby for bedtime. I nurse him then pump the other side then go to bed. So far it is working very well in terms of building a stash.
txmom72
08-27-2009, 01:28 PM
What you're getting is totally normal. The amount of BM consumed is generally 1-1.25 ozs per hour between feedings. So if it's been 2 nours, your LO should get between 2 - 2.5 ozs.
4Health
08-27-2009, 02:56 PM
Pump at the same time every day. If you choose 7am, you must stick with it to increase your pumped supply. Consisitency is key with pumping. Morning is best like the OP said. You may not ever pump more than a couple ounces, but you will eventually get less if you don't stick with it. Good Luck.
MomE2MathU
08-27-2009, 07:08 PM
What you are getting is normal. I don't get much if I pump after he nurses but when I work and pump I get about 2 ounces from each side. I would suggest you pump first thing in the morning. I always pump right after I nurse him from one side. I pump both sides and get about an ounce from the one he nursed on and 4 from the full side. Because the pump doesn't empty the breast like a baby does it'll be pretty full again by the time he wants to nurse again.
mOmof3
09-01-2009, 05:49 PM
well thats way more than i get. i dont get hardly anything pumping so i quit a few months back. Id say 2oz is awsome and anything more is icing on the cake!!
lameremusicale
09-03-2009, 01:29 PM
I have been power pumping for the past 2 weeks (pumping directly after each feeding to boost supply) and pumping once an hour for 10-15 mins on each side. I'm trying very hard to build up my supply and start a 'storage' supply. I've gone from only being able to coat the bottom of the bottle to getting 1.5-2oz in a session. I am now averaging 4-5 oz a day, which is not ideal considering 3 days a week I'm in school an dhe needs 6-8 oz while I'm gone, haha. But stilll, I have seen results from pumping like crazy so I'm sure you would too. (Not to mention all the power pumping is making me lose a heck of a lot of weight! I'm down 5 lbs since I started!)
LnzsOut
09-03-2009, 05:00 PM
Wow! That's serious pumping. I'm not sure I could be that dedicated, but thanks for the advice. Good luck getting your supply up! With all the work you're doing, surely your supply will only continue to increase.
I started pumping in the morning while I'm feeding my son on the other side. That seems to yield more than when I just pump. I get about 3 oz every time from just one breast! (Thanks for that tip, "Chey") When I pump at night to empty my breasts before bed, I still rarely get even an ounce...
Keep at it!
Keropisunshine23
09-03-2009, 10:01 PM
I started pumping in the morning while I'm feeding my son on the other side. That seems to yield more than when I just pump.
This is a very true statement because double pumping (or pumping and nursing) stimulates more letdowns:goodvibes: Saves time too imo:goodvibes:
joy7s
09-04-2009, 08:42 AM
I see everyone already gave lots of good advice. I used lactation cookies to up my pumping supply.. also if I got up 45 min to an hour before my dd's I was able to pump more. I hope you're able to build up a sash and honestly what you are doing is awesome! Don't be discouraged! 2 oz for a 3 month old isn't bad.. you probably have enough now to at least go out for a few hours. Are you going back to work?
ps..I never get anything at night either.. :(
cali4niachef
09-04-2009, 01:30 PM
I'm not pumping enough milk. What can I do? (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html)
Hope that helps! Good luck!
lameremusicale
09-04-2009, 03:23 PM
I see everyone already gave lots of good advice. I used lactation cookies to up my pumping supply.. also if I got up 45 min to an hour before my dd's I was able to pump more. I hope you're able to build up a sash and honestly what you are doing is awesome! Don't be discouraged! 2 oz for a 3 month old isn't bad.. you probably have enough now to at least go out for a few hours. Are you going back to work?
ps..I never get anything at night either.. :(
Lactation cookies? Please tell me you mean actual cookies?
:cowwave: tell me more!
