Working moms who only give breastmilk

How many ounces do you pump/does your baby eat during the day? I don't seem to be able to pump more than 13-15 ounces during the day at work, and that's what DD eats. I pump 3 times at work. My right breast does not pump well and it is a struggle to get even 2 ounces out of it. The left one works much better. DD doesn't seem hungry during the day, and i nurse her when i'm home, and usually twice during the night. Is this fine? Her weight is fine and everyone always comments that it looks like she eats well. She gets one tablespoon of cereal in the morning, and 1 at night.

Message edited 6/4/2009 10:01:51 AM.

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

When I went back to work I was only able to pump exactly what she would eat the next day. If you want to increase output, add and extra pumping session and eventually you will get more.

For now though you're doing a great job!!! Keep it up mommy!!!

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

I found the best way to get more milk during the day was to keep pumping even after I thought all the milk was out. I found that if I kept pumping for another 5 minutes, I'd actually have another letdown and get a few more ounces, and eventually my body just produced more milk in response to the extra pumping time as well.

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

DS gets 2 bottles- 6 ounces each- of BM while I am at work. I will pump anywhere from 8-12 ounces on a given day. I pump twice at work and then once at night before I go to bed. Doing this allows me to have enough milk for his bottles and BM for his cereal.

If you want more, see if you can pump while you're home.

If your DD doesn't seem hungry and she's gaining weight, she is fine. Keep up the great work!!

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

When I first returned to work - I pumped 5x/day just to maintain my supply. First thing in the a.m. (got mostly - sometimes 16oz per session), 3x/day at the office (5-6 oz per session) and then again before bed (about 5 oz).

So, I was making about what he ate, but I continued the a.m. and p.m. pump sessions on weekends and days off so I could add to my stash - at the high point, I had 650oz in a freezer in the garage.

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

I pump in the am, twice at work and before bed. I generally will pump between 20 to 25 ounces a day. I send DS to childcare with three 4oz bottles and he has one extra just in case. I am usually able to pump enough for the next day and by ends week store about 12 to 16oz for the freezer.

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

Did you ladies who pumped at home in the morning and evening also nurse your DC in the morning and evening? I usually nurse DD around 6 or 6:30, and I leave at 7:30. At night, I nurse her as soon as I get home (around 6:30/7) and again around 8:30 right before bed. Then she usually wakes up at midnight and somewhere around 3 to nurse. At work, I pump at (around) 10, 1 and 4. Any ideas where I can squeeze in some more pumping?

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

I would get up early and nurse, then feed him. I know you worry that there won't be enough for baby to nurse after pumping, but your body adjusts to it and makes more.

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

I send three 5 oz bottles to daycare. I definitely haven't been pumping as much as I should at work. Sometimes I produce enough or more than I need. If I don't produce enough, I use my frozen stash and try to make up for it on the weekend. I have a lot of late night meetings so I sometimes need to leave extra bottles with DH for the evening feeding.

Re: Working moms who only give breastmilk

I ususally pump about 12 ounces or so at work (I work PT about 20 hours so it may be a little different), which is usally a little more than he takes when I'm gone. I usually pump once before I leave while nursing on the other side, pump once or twice at work depending on how I'm feeling & then I usually pump one said again when I get home while nursing on the other. I'd say all together I end up with 20-25 ounces.