I have been breastfeeding for almost 8 months now.... sometimes I can only pump 2-3 oz even after 6-8 hours...?? Was just curious to what other moms are getting.
I am thinking that I need to start building up my milk again.... Thanks for you input!
My son is a tank- 26 lbs at 8 months. I have no worries that he isnt getting enough, I am more worried that I will run out before we are ready to stop. I am thankful for all the advice you all have given and love mamasource more and more each day!! I started taking Fenugreek, it helped alot a few months ago! and I always have water by me. We will see what happens.... thanks again!
Drinking lots of water/milk/juice, *and* feeding/pumping more, are the key things to remember and do.
after several months out breasts get better at making the milk as the baby needs it, not storing it up in advance. so as long as he wants to keep nursing there WILL be milk in your breasts, and even months after he is done you will still be able to sueeze out alittle:)
M.
No matter how hard you try, you will never get as much with a pump as your baby will get. And it also depends on how often you are pumping, the type of pump, and if you are doing one side at a time. I have breastfed 4 babies, and have never been able to pump more than 2 to 3 ounces at a time. If you are truely worried about your milk supply you can talk to your child's doctor and they can weigh the baby before you nurse, and after you are done to see how much milke they are actually getting. I know that made me feel better to know that I had enough milk when they told me how much they actually ate. As long as your baby is gaining weight and happy I wouldnt worry.
Hi M.,
I think it is common to only get a couple ounces at a time when pumping because when you think about it you do not love your pump but you do love your baby. I have a 11 mos old and I started pumping in between feedings to keep my supply up and it took about a week before I start to get more than a couple ounces at a time. You will be fine just dont stress about it. Good luck.
First off, congrats on sticking with it so long!
Secondly, my supply dropped to 2-3 ounces (from both sides together) when my daughter was about 7 months. I believe this was due to a few things- a bad pump that lost its suction, my daughter was not nursing as frequently & I was stressing over not having enough milk.
That said, someone suggested I try *oatmeal* to increase my amount. I had never heard of this before, but surprisingly it worked!
There is also an herb called Fenugreek that increases some women's supply like crazy, although I never tried it.
Another way to increase your milk is to pump more often or pump one side as your baby nurses on the other. I also got more in the mornings than any other time of day.
Drink LOTS of water and try to think about your baby when you're pumping, even though I know that's pretty hard to do if you're at work, etc.
Good luck!
Hi, M. --
I could never get more than 2-3 oz per breast when I was breastfeeding my daughter. I think I got 5oz one time, but never again came close. By the time she was starting solids (around 4 months) and I was trying to pump enough to mix with formula plus breast feed her, I realized it was just impossible. So, I'd breastfeed her first and then supplement with formula in the cereal.
One of my best friends could pump out a whopping 16 oz! I thought that was ASTOUNDING!
One thing I always mention to people -- especially those of us who don't produce like a bovine -- is that, often, I thought my milk supply wasn't sufficient for my daughter's hunger. I wanted so much to be her only source of milk, so I did everything I could before supplementing at all, and she was often ornery and unhappy. Looking back, I wish that I had 1) supplemented a little more, to ensure she was full enough and 2) given her some water. She is an INCREDIBLY drinker -- drinks water all day long, and even sleeps with a water cup in her bed (she's 3), so I think now that she often may just have been thirsty!! I was so fixated on not supplementing or substituting that it never even occurred to me that she might just be thirsty. Stupid thing to admit, but I wish someone had mentioned it to me :!)!
Best of luck!!
H.
Hi, I had the same problem. What I did was started drinking more water, pumping more, and called my obgyn. My doctor put me on Reglan and it really helped. Call your dr. and see what he says.
On another subject if you don't mind, I was wondering if you could tell me about the buisness you work for from home, I'm a little interested. Thanks T. ____@____.com
I never could pump, but I made plenty of milk. Something about letdown:/
your body makes what your child demands. you probably think you should be making more since he's older, but that isn't true since he is getting nutrition elsewhere now. plus, it has been my experience that you just don't get as much milk out with a pump as you would nursing. you probably have an extra ounce or so still in there after you pump. don't worry about it!
