breast feeding question...

when you pump, how much do you usually get...and do you supplement with formula??? thanks

Re: breast feeding question...

In the beginning, I got only about 2 ounces... but if you keep at it, eat oatmeal and drink lots of water, it should increase over time. At the height of my BFing/pumping, I could pump 16 ounces, easily.

Don't supplement. BFing is about supply and demand. The more you pump, the more you'll produce. If you supplement, you're body will think you don't need to produce as much and your supply will diminish.

Re: breast feeding question...

My son is 9 months, I pump 3 days per week and I get about 16 oz per day. I have never supplemented any of my kids they all are EBF'd kids! It is one of my biggest and proudest accomplishments.

Re: breast feeding question...

Every women is different. It all depends on a ton of things..how hydrated are you, what pump are you using, how often do you pump, how is your supply, when are you pumping, etc...

Don't compare to others. It is impossible to really judge. There are ways to help you get more and better time to pump than others.

I pumped full-time and only used formula the first 4 weeks. After that I was able to provide only bm for a full year.

Let me know what issue you are having and maybe I can help you figure it out.

Re: breast feeding question...

I supplemented with 1 bottle of formula from day one. Whenever I supplemented I pumped so that my milk supply would stay high.

Re: breast feeding question...

well, when i pump, i only get 1 oz combined..after she finishes breast feeding she is never full..she always cries for more no matter how long she breast feeds for...i breast feed her, then i give her the oz. that i pumped in the bottle and if she is still hungry i supplement with an oz. of formula...it takes like 1.5 hours to feed her....i pump or breast feed at least every three hours....

p.s i had a breast reduction so i was told that i may not produce a lot of milk....

Message edited 5/5/2006 5:43:12 PM.

Re: breast feeding question...

To produce more milk, make sure you eat and drink too. I drank fennel tea (and honey - bc it wasn't exactly tasty) to increase my supply.

Hope that helps!!

Re: breast feeding question...

Have you spoken to a Lacation Consultant?
Here are some tips to help increase your supply..
eat oatmeal, pump after EVERY feeding for 15 minutes with a hospital grade pump (you can easily rent one), drink a full glass of water during each nursing session.

Try this for a few days and I bet you will see better results.
Also, you can't compare how much you pump with how much a baby gets during feedings. Some women's bodies do not react well to pumping. Also, after you feed the baby most women will not pump a ton of milk, because you have used your milk to feed the baby. Pumping after each feeding will create more milk for DURING the feedings.
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: breast feeding question...

thanks...i am drinking more water..and i will start to pump after every feeding...do you still pump every 3 hours then???

Re: breast feeding question...

i bf for 2 months and then the baby wanted the bottle so now i pump 3 times a day. on average get 12-14 oz per pump. im alittle lopsided 9 on one and 5-6 on the other. hopefully when i stop it evens out.

Re: breast feeding question...

I agree with the drinking water and frequent feedings and pumping. I also heard to eat oatmeal and honey nut cheerio's which I do every day

We breast feed and I pump about every 2 - 4 hours so DD can have bottles of my milk too

We have Medela pump in style dual electric pump and love it! I can get anywhere from 2 - 5 oz each breast every time I pump. Best of luck to you!

Re: breast feeding question...

i guess i have a low milk supply..i only get .5 ounces from each breast..I am going to try fenugeek...What kind of oatmeal does everyone eat??

Re: breast feeding question...

You are nursing the baby first, right?
I took feenugeek for the first 3 months and it worked like a charm. ANY kind of oatmeal will help- even cookies
I have also read that an O'douls non-aloc beer is great for let-down because of the malt.

Pump every 3-4 hours, AFTER your nursing sessions.
Let us know how it is working.

The most I ever got was 8oz during a pumping session- and I did NOT nurse. So don't judge on other women's results. Hugs!!!

Message edited 5/6/2006 11:38:38 PM.

Re: breast feeding question...

i always nurse her first..then i giver her about 2 ounces of formula...if i save a lot of breast milk she gets that after i nurse her and then a little formula..i am pumping a lot more and i am going today to get the fenugreek..and i ate oatmeal for breakfast and i drank lots of water...i also heard beer is good bc of the yeast...

Message edited 5/7/2006 12:16:10 PM.