Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Out of curiousity, if you are BFing and pumping, how many ounces are you getting at each pumping session and when do you pump?

TIA

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I am not a "good" pumper- I only get about 1 1/2 oz. total from both sides each time I pump and that is when I am fully engorged.

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

To answer my own question

I pump after each BFing session and usually get anywhere between 1.5 to 2oz. I go from 11pm-6:30 am without pumping since DD gets supplemented with formula at night for her 2:30am feeding.

I've been so worried I'm not producing enough milk. I just started eating more oatmeal and I've been drinking Yogi - Nursing Mother's tea (the store was out of Mother's Milk) and I'm not seeing any increase in my milk supply.

I'm just wondering if it's normal this early on (4 weeks PP) to not have a great milk supply yet. (I also never feel engorged.. only on rare occassions)

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I pumped for about 4 months - i started breastfeeding and then eventually pumped exclusively. I always got quite a bit of milk - in the beginning about 5 ounces each breast and as the months went by - i was getting 6-8 ounces from each breast. I would get more milk from my right breast - you may notice you get more milk from one breast as compared to the other. I also had quite a bit of frozen milk stored.

ETS - I just noticed you pump after a bfing session - that is way you are getting less milk i think. I pumped exclusively and gave her a bottle. I never drank the teas, oatmeals etc... I did drink lots of water, protein and ate lots and lots of fruit and vegetables - i was always hungry. Ohh - and yogurts and peanut butter.

Message edited 3/6/2009 6:50:21 PM.

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I pump at 7am and again at about 11 (on days I work). At the 7am pump, I usually get at least 5-7oz from each breast (depending on how much she nursed overnight). At the midday session I usually get about 5oz from each breast.

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I recently watched the L&L Breastfeeding video and the teacher said that getting 2oz after a feeding is ideal. She went on to talk about pumping after your first 3 morning sessions so you have enough for that middle of the night bottle feeding your DH can do

I know my isn't here yet, but I thought I would toss what little info I know your way.

You're doing great and I am so proud of you!!

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I just started pumping a few days ago in hopes of increasing my supply, but this is what I notice:

If I am fully engorged, I get about 4 oz. total from both breasts. Other than that, it depends on the situation. If DS only nurses on one side, I will pump the other side to even it out, so then I get about 1-2 oz. If it's like 2-3 hours between feedings, I get about 3 oz. total. The only time I do not pump is at night..I'm tired enough as it is with DS waking every 3 hours to feed.

I feel like it's not enough, especially during the day, when DS wants to feed every 2 hours, sometimes every hour and a half. I notice that by 7-8pm, I am almost out of milk, so I either supplement w/ formula or pumped milk. And he is still hungry sometimes after a feeding in the afternoon. He will usally down 3 oz. no problem, and I don't always have that much :/

So I went and got Mother's Milk (and I hope it works because it tastes DISGUSTING), and I have been pumping more frequently to empty my breasts and hopefully boost my supply. We will see what happens this week

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I'm not a good pumper either. I only get 2 to 3 oz combined. If I'm very engorged then I will get 4 oz. combined.

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Posted by DomesticDeeva

I just started pumping a few days ago in hopes of increasing my supply, but this is what I notice:

If I am fully engorged, I get about 4 oz. total from both breasts. Other than that, it depends on the situation. If DS only nurses on one side, I will pump the other side to even it out, so then I get about 1-2 oz. If it's like 2-3 hours between feedings, I get about 3 oz. total. The only time I do not pump is at night..I'm tired enough as it is with DS waking every 3 hours to feed.

I feel like it's not enough, especially during the day, when DS wants to feed every 2 hours, sometimes every hour and a half. I notice that by 7-8pm, I am almost out of milk, so I either supplement w/ formula or pumped milk. And he is still hungry sometimes after a feeding in the afternoon. He will usally down 3 oz. no problem, and I don't always have that much :/

So I went and got Mother's Milk (and I hope it works because it tastes DISGUSTING), and I have been pumping more frequently to empty my breasts and hopefully boost my supply. We will see what happens this week

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

I only get an ounce to an ounce and a half from each breast. SOMETIMES I'll get two ounces... I don't think I'll ever be able to build up a good freezer stash, but I know my supply is good enough because DC are gaining weight and growing wonderfully!

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Posted by DomesticDeeva

I just started pumping a few days ago in hopes of increasing my supply, but this is what I notice:

If I am fully engorged, I get about 4 oz. total from both breasts. Other than that, it depends on the situation. If DS only nurses on one side, I will pump the other side to even it out, so then I get about 1-2 oz. If it's like 2-3 hours between feedings, I get about 3 oz. total. The only time I do not pump is at night..I'm tired enough as it is with DS waking every 3 hours to feed.

I feel like it's not enough, especially during the day, when DS wants to feed every 2 hours, sometimes every hour and a half. I notice that by 7-8pm, I am almost out of milk, so I either supplement w/ formula or pumped milk. And he is still hungry sometimes after a feeding in the afternoon. He will usally down 3 oz. no problem, and I don't always have that much :/

So I went and got Mother's Milk (and I hope it works because it tastes DISGUSTING), and I have been pumping more frequently to empty my breasts and hopefully boost my supply. We will see what happens this week

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping

Posted by Porrruss

Posted by DomesticDeeva

I just started pumping a few days ago in hopes of increasing my supply, but this is what I notice:

If I am fully engorged, I get about 4 oz. total from both breasts. Other than that, it depends on the situation. If DS only nurses on one side, I will pump the other side to even it out, so then I get about 1-2 oz. If it's like 2-3 hours between feedings, I get about 3 oz. total. The only time I do not pump is at night..I'm tired enough as it is with DS waking every 3 hours to feed.

I feel like it's not enough, especially during the day, when DS wants to feed every 2 hours, sometimes every hour and a half. I notice that by 7-8pm, I am almost out of milk, so I either supplement w/ formula or pumped milk. And he is still hungry sometimes after a feeding in the afternoon. He will usally down 3 oz. no problem, and I don't always have that much :/

So I went and got Mother's Milk (and I hope it works because it tastes DISGUSTING), and I have been pumping more frequently to empty my breasts and hopefully boost my supply. We will see what happens this week

Forgive me, and I don't mean this to sound harsh at ALL- but STOP supplementing!!!! Just because your breasts feel soft does NOT mean there is no milk. Your breasts don't empty like a container- your body will continually produce milk- the flow will just be slower. Believe me, I've pumped before work where there is NOTHING coming out anymore, and suddenly DD wakes up. So, rather than give her a bottle, I just put her on the breast. I hear her swallowing milk, and she goes right to sleep so she's obviouslky satidfied.

The worst part of BFing is not knowing how much your LO is getting. While supply issues DO happen where mom doesn't make enough, it is rare. If your little one has plenty of wet diapers, then he's getting enough. If he's gaining weight- then he's getting enough.

What you get from the pump has nothing to do with what your baby is getting when nursing directly from you. The baby suckling stimulates the milk ejection reflex (let down) more than the pump does.

Re: Moms of newborns - Question about BF and pumping