BF Pumping Question...

Hi Ladies-
I just used the electric pump for the first time tonight, I have a question...
~How long should you pump for? I pumped for about 12-15 minutes & only got like a little over 2 ounces all together.
The last time I BF her was at 3:30, I pumped at 6:45.
Since she cluster feeds late afternoon/evening, which has been approx. every 1 1/2 hours, I'm afraid she's not getting much at all & that's why she's still hungry after I feed her. & am forced to supplement a little formula.
Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated, this BF thing is really getting to me!!!

Message edited 1/14/2006 7:23:56 PM.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

The baby does usually get more than the pump. Most people say to pump 20 minutes but since you've been BFing a while I don't know if that holds true.
You do have less milk in the evening.
I wish I could be more help but I have a very low milk supply so I am not sure how much is normal to get.
I do remember that some women said that they were not pumping candidates meaning they could nourish their babies fine but when it came to pumping they got nothing.
Maybe a visit with a LC would ease your mind a little.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

I went to see an LC and she told me to pump 20 minutes. When I started pumping, I never got very much (maybe 2 ounces, like you). As your body adjusts to the demand for the BM (through nursing or the pump) your body will produce more. The LC stressed to me that you have to stay on a schedule - feed the baby on demand, but pump at the same time every day. It's the only way your body will know how much BM you need.

Don't worry - I know it's stressful, but your baby is getting enough from you. Let the baby end the feeding and you'll know she's finished. Cluster feeding is difficult, but it won't last forever. Hang in there!

Re: BF Pumping Question...

It takes time for your body to get used to the pump..a baby is better for your breast milk production.
2oz is a good start!!! Liquid Gold!!!! It took me 4 full weeks before I didn't need formula! But after that I never needed it again!!!

I would pump 10 minutes after each feeding. That will increase your production, plus not take away any food from the baby. Pump 20 minutes AFTER she feeds in the morning..In the morning you tend to make much more milk.

Also, the higher the suction does NOT = more milk. You can hurt yourself if you pump too strongly. I never, ever got to the highest setting even after 1 year of pumping full-time.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

Thanks for the great advice!

Re: BF Pumping Question...

Posted by AndreaLMT


Since she cluster feeds late afternoon/evening, which has been approx. every 1 1/2 hours, I'm afraid she's not getting much at all & that's why she's still hungry after I feed her. & am forced to supplement a little formula.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

No no no! Don't supplement! The pump NEVER gets as much as baby. Babies are so much more efficient than the pump, it's ridiculous. I'll pump and pump and it will seem like I'm totally empty and then Alex will want a snack and lo and behold, there's milk! If you supplement, it's going to affect your supply. If she's cluster feeding, let her - eventually your body will respond by producing more milk at that time of day. They say it takes about 6-8 weeks before the supply and demand balances out so don't give up! The best, BEST indicator of whether or not your daughter is getting enough is whether she has enough wet diapers. I'm not sure how many she needs at her age - you can look it up in a book or online. If she's having as many wet diapers as they recommend, then she's getting plenty, even if it *seems* as if she isn't. I went through this too - Alex is a HUGE cluster feeder starting around 5pm. I always felt like I ran out of milk and she was still hungry. DH wanted to supplement but I stuck to my guns. I kept telling him, but she has enough wet diapers a day and she's gaining weight, so I'm not going to supplement. Within a few weeks my body picked up its milk supply and now my supply is largest from 5-10pm, whereas before it was largest in the AM.

Edited to say that in the beginning pumping is hard. When I started I would only get between 2-4 ounces. I think it takes practice and time for your body to get used to it (it's a totally different mechanism compared to the baby). Just keep at it and eventually you'll start pumping more. I still have the 2ounces I pumped my first time in the freezer all the way in the back Now, 3 months later, I can get about 12 ounces a session... hang in there!

Message edited 1/15/2006 9:40:24 AM.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

I know girls...thge more I nurse, the more I'll produce. I ALWAYS try nursing her first, even if it IS every hour. The only time I will supplement w/ some formula is after a full session of nursing (sometimes 40 minutes or basically whenever she pulls off) & afterwards she is still attacking her hands, rooting, & crying, no matter how much we try to calm her, console her, & burp her. So I'm supplementing like 2-3 oz a day, if even. After she eats the formula, she is a totally happy baby! It's like she just needs that extra little bit. My Pediatrician said supplementing like this is fine, as long as I'm attempting to nursr first.
She is gaining weight (we've only been to the Dr once though), she is just one VERY hungry girl I guess!

PS- I tried pumping this am, one hour after I fed her, I only got a little over 1 ounce!

Message edited 1/15/2006 10:34:24 AM.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

Pumping an 1oz after 1 hour of feeding is GREAT!!! I think you are expecting a full bottle ...but remember your baby just had that! So don't stress. Eat oatmeal and drink a full glass of water...both help your supply.

Sounds to me like you and the baby are doing great!!!

Re: BF Pumping Question...

Whilst on the subject, just a quick question from over the atlantic regarding pumping. I had my little man on Monday the 9 January and he was 7 lbs, 14 oz and absolutely gorgeous...we have named him Noah Gabriel.

He does not want to latch on for more than 2 ***** so I am pumping and bottle feeding. I am very lucky and have a magnificant milk supply (call me dairy queen, i am pumping with a mini medela and getting around 8-10 oz per pump, around 3 times a day) but just wonder how much your babies eat in an average BF Pumped bottle? Mine seems to eat 3.5 oz and wants a top up shortly after that. I have seen a LC from La Leche today who has told me that to try to get him to latch on I should feed him from a bottle or little cup (very frustrating) and wait until he wants his little bit extra and try breast feeding. I know he is growing as he was 8 lbs, 2 oz at the midwifes visit on Saturday...but I just wonder what everyone elses pumped milk babies are eating per sitting.

Re: BF Pumping Question...

I pumped full-time but I would encourage you to seek out a laction consultant or leche league leader to help get Noah latched. Nursing is always better than pumping/bottle. Pumping is a lot of work.
Use 3oz bottles to start and if you need to add more to the bottle that is fine..better to add, then to waste. I think about 3-3.5oz was how much Molly would drink at once time.
YOu need to pump 8-10x per day so you can get your supply established and maintain it. Pumping only 3x a day can hurt your supply after time since your body may think the lower demand is all you need. You have an AMAZING supply already so that is great news!!!