Pumping output?

[bettercowpatty]

So this is my first day pumping at work. I have pumped twice. First time I got about 7oz from both breats. Second time I only got about 3oz. I'm not sure why I would have such an extreme variation. I also have no clue how much milk I need for a day. I'm assuming right now about 12oz if I am able to feed him before I leave, 16oz if not, but I have no clue.

Is this variation in production a reflection of what he is eating during the day with me there? How often do most people pump during the work day? Any advice and/or personal experiences with pumping will be very helpful.

[Bootysaurus]

You are my HERO!

I tried pumping. I got about an ounce within an hour. I threw that pump so hard against the wall, it dented the wall :hehe:

I don't know how much you'll need or why the difference in amount but wow! 7oz at one time is amazing to me.

:goodluck:

[Elaine]

It's fairly normal. Your supply naturally dwindles as the day goes on.

When I was EP'ing I would pump about 13 - 15 oz combined first thing in the morning (after 8 hours of no pumping) and it would be cut in half by the next session 2 or 3 hours later and would continue to decrease as the day went on.

How long are you going between pumping sessions? Is there a bigger gap between your last nursing session and the first pumping session than there is between your two pumping sessions? If the first gap is bigger you'll get more at that session.

[AshleyMommyto2]

I have no clue about any of this Patty but I know there are girls on here that are pros! Just wanted to let you know I :support:

[Ashley]

I pumped only in mornings to have a stash, but I would always pump on one while she nursed on the other first thing in the morning- that seemed to help up it. I have no idea if this is any help, but I thought I'd share!

[AddiesMomma]

Eventually your body will get used to how much you pump and will adjust. I was able to get 12-16 oz a day at work (I pumped during breaks and lunch) and I usually left the same amount for her. It took a few weeks to get to that point, though.

I do remember that the amount you pump is not necessarily the amount the baby is getting during a feeding.

[bettercowpatty]

How long are you going between pumping sessions? Is there a bigger gap between your last nursing session and the first pumping session than there is between your two pumping sessions? If the first gap is bigger you'll get more at that session.

This was my schedule today:

-Nursed at 2am, then pumped to have a little extra in the fridge (got like 3oz)
- Woke John up at 7am to nurse. Not sure if this was the best plan since he was still out like a light. Think I'll pump in the morning if he's still snoozing tomorrow.
- Pumped at about 11am. This was probably a little late. Got 7oz.
- Pumped at 2. Got 3oz.

Not sure if I should pump again before I leave or just wait til I get home around 6?

[AddiesMomma]

I'd personally try pumping again. That way your body will catch on and produce more when you pump. If he eats again as soon as you get home, it'll tell your breasts to produce more milk. (That's my theory, at least.)

[bettercowpatty]

I'd personally try pumping again. That way your body will catch on and produce more when you pump. If he eats again as soon as you get home, it'll tell your breasts to produce more milk. (That's my theory, at least.)

OK, I just pumped again and got another 3 oz. I'll be interested to see what he ate today while I was gone so I can compare. I have no clue...

[Elaine]

I'd personally try pumping again. That way your body will catch on and produce more when you pump. If he eats again as soon as you get home, it'll tell your breasts to produce more milk. (That's my theory, at least.)
Gold star for you! :hehe:

Pump more and your body should produce more so adding another session before you leave is probably a good idea. If you can, nurse John more often and that will increase your supply too. Nursing is much more effective than pumping when it comes to increasing your supply.

[Heather]

When I was working here is how it went:

Woke Aven and fed her at 5:00am

Pumped at 8:30 and got about 8 oz

Pumped at 11:30 and got about 5 oz.

Pumped at 2:30 and got about 4 oz. $

This worked well because she was eating a 4 oz bottle every 2.5 hours, so that meant 4 4 oz bottles at daycare. I was pumping one or so oz more a day than I needed, so that added up and I had a little extra.

[Jojo]

It's fairly normal. Your supply naturally dwindles as the day goes on.

When I was EP'ing I would pump about 13 - 15 oz combined first thing in the morning (after 8 hours of no pumping) and it would be cut in half by the next session 2 or 3 hours later and would continue to decrease as the day went on.

How long are you going between pumping sessions? Is there a bigger gap between your last nursing session and the first pumping session than there is between your two pumping sessions? If the first gap is bigger you'll get more at that session.


:ditto:

I'd get about 13 oz at around 6 am...then 7ish oz combined through out the day. I did the whole warming breasts, massaging with olive oil and squeezing.

Good luck! :support::support:

[diznynurse]

here's my lil bit of info.

When I EP'd with DD I had low supply but was able to pump about 24oz/ 24 hrs. which was just enough for her.

I've heard that Mornings u will produce more due to higher hormone levels during the night. My LC told me it was important to pump during the night when I EP'd to boost my supply.

The other thing is if u see u need to up your supply, pump an extra 5min with each pump, and pump an extra pump once in awhile.

Good luck. I'll be pumping at work in 2 weeks!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAA I'm hopeing I pump enough for lil man!

How long do u pump for??? My LC told me to pump for 20min.

[AddiesMomma]

I was going to throw in that oatmeal boosts supply too. :thumb:

[Elaine]

I found that when I pumped longer I got more milk. I pumped for about 20 minutes then switched to 30 mins and really did notice an increase in the amount I pumped.

What kind of pump are you using? I have a Lansinoh double (same as an Ameda Purely Yours) and it's got a speed setting as well as a suction setting so I could adjust the speed as I went. I started off fast then slowed it down and that would trigger a let-down. After a few minutes I'd up the speed again, leave it for a minute or two then slow it down which usually triggered another let-down. I'd get at least 2, usually 3, let-downs a session and that helped with the amount I pumped. The more let-downs you have the more milk you'll get.

Oh, and if you aren't already, go hands free and make sure you squish, squeeze, massage and compress the girls so you empty all the milk ducts. :twothumbs:

[Bootysaurus]

Anyone who can successfully pump is amazing.

:thumb:

Seriously, I could not do it.

[Sarah]

I have gotten up to 11.5 ounces in 10 minutes. :hehe: I am, however, an overproducer.

My pumping days came to an end when my daughter wouldn't take a bottle (well, she was inconsistent -- she'd take it one day, then not the next, then refuse for a week, then take it again -- she never really finished a whole one anyway and we were only trying 2-3 oz. at a time). Thus, I go home and breastfeed for her 2 feedings while I'm at work (10:00 and 1:00, then I get done at 4).

You will get the most out of the first pumping -- that is normal.

I found that having pictures of her in front of me helped. Try not to stare at the pump (I know, it's hard not to!). Start off with a fast speed and slow it down a little after a couple minutes. When your milk stops flowing, turn the pump off and hand massage a little, then start over (faster speed at first, then slower). You will probably get an additional ounce this way.

Also, make sure you are completely and 100% relaxed! When I was stressed my first day back and DH had called and said she wasn't taking the bottle, only 3 oz. came out (from both breasts, even though they were super full). Then I got an e-mail (DH said he would just bring the baby to me twice a day) and the weight lifted. Suddenly, 8.5 more ounces came pouring out (yes, I had to stop and grab extra bottles to fill up). Not saying you're stressed, but it's amazing what mindset can do to pumping output! I knew there was more in there and I was right.

[bettercowpatty]

Thanks guys!

Today, I woke John up at 7am before leaving and fed him. I tried to pump after that but only got about an ounce.

I'm gonna do 10:30, 1:30 and 4:30 for at least 20 min, though i'll try for a half hour, today and see how that goes. Luckily I got out of a professionals dinner my firm is having tonight. I would be freaking out about pumping at the restaurant, etc.

I have a Bailey's. It's electric, but you cannot pump hands free - you use your fingers for suction. I'm thinking maybe I should get a hands free one for work and leave my Bailey's at home. It has served me well, but I dont know if its advanced enough to handle the daily rigors I'm gonna put it through.

[Heather]

Yeah, I'd definitely think about getting one you can use hands free for the amount your going to be pumping. Could you rig it to where something other than your fingers were used for the suction? For the record, when I pumped, I never pumped as much as I could. I only ever pumped what I knew I needed because I was limited on time, so usually only 10 min max per pumping session. Kellymom had recommended not building up a stash, only pumping enough to use the following day so that you didn't have to freeze the milk because that breaks down some of the good stuff. So I only ever had maybe 16 extra ounces at a time in the freezer jußt in case and just used the milk that I'd pumped the previous day that had been kept in the fridge. This worked well for me.

[Elaine]

When you say "use your hands for suction" do you mean you have to hold the flanges to your breasts? If that's the case you can definitely go hands-free without buying a new pump. There are all sorts of different ways to do it. You can cut small holes in the front of an old bra and slip the flanges inside. You can use a tank style bra, pull it down and it, put the flanges on your breasts and let the bra hold the flanges in place (that's how I did it). You can buy a hands-free bra. You can use elastics (see the link below).

Hands-free Pumping (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html)

Try some of those first before you spend the money on another pump. It's much cheaper. ;)

[bettercowpatty]

When you say "use your hands for suction" do you mean you have to hold the flanges to your breasts? If that's the case you can definitely go hands-free without buying a new pump. There are all sorts of different ways to do it. You can cut small holes in the front of an old bra and slip the flanges inside. You can use a tank style bra, pull it down and it, put the flanges on your breasts and let the bra hold the flanges in place (that's how I did it). You can buy a hands-free bra. You can use elastics (see the link below).

Hands-free Pumping (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html)

Try some of those first before you spend the money on another pump. It's much cheaper. ;)

No, you use your fingers to create the suction. There is a hole on the top of each flange that you place your finger on to create the suction. I do know a working mom who used this pump for a year of BF-ing. I got it when I was preggo with D. It was WAY cheaper than a Medela. I am thinking of getting a second one anyway so I don't have to carry it back and forth to work every day.

[Elaine]

Gotcha! I'm not familiar with that pump at all.

I have a Lansinoh double electric (same as an Ameda Purely Yours) that's significantly cheaper than a Medela. I EP'd with it for a year and I'm still using it now. I love it (as much as you can love a breast pump :hehe:).

[Amanda82]

I'm probably not the best person to provide my info as I don't have regular pumping schedules. that's probably the only disadvantage (besides traveling) with my job. regardless if I get an office day or a visit day, I usually feed A in the morning on one side, and pump the other side. Typically I get about 6oz. If I'm working from home, I then probably get about 6oz from both sides, then 4oz, and then I don't usually pump again as A can't stand the bottle and is usually ravenous when he gets home. For instance, yesterday, though I didn't get to pump all day, I got probably 6 oz or so from one side and then just let A eat off the other side when he got home. I know I'm not keeping up as I should, so we're having to start supplementing :(

I love my PISA, but agree with Elaine on the hands free pumping options...I've used pretty much all of those options and it's worked well :)

[Jojo]

It helped that I started the pump on med then bumped it to high then back down and back to high. Just keep finagling with the the pressure/suck.

[Bootysaurus]

Ya'll are SOOOO lucky.

When I was BFing Dylan, the pumps they had were mostly hand pumps :reallymad:

Oh, you could rent the big ol' hospital grade pump for 150 a month :look: Or buy it for something stupid....

So I had this hang pump. O...M...G.


Count your blessings!

[ShelbysMommy]

I had a Lansinoh double electric also, and LOVED it. I pumped for about 11 months, 8 of those while working. I could only pump on my planning period (I'm a teacher) and my lunch break, so I had to be quick and pump in about 10-15 minutes.

Adjusting the speeds does help. Sarah's suggestion of having a picture of your baby in front of you works great too! I had a picture of my DD and that helped things alot. I used to get about 6 oz from each breast on a good day. On a day that I was really stressed and pressed for time, I would only get about 1-2 oz.

I would get up an hour before waking up my daughter and pump first thing, then take a hot shower, drink a bunch of water, and then be able to nurse my daughter an hour later.

Eating oatmeal for breakfast does help boost your supply, too. I noticed a huge difference when I switched to eating oatmeal in the morning.