My daughter will be four weeks old tommarow. I nursed her at the hospital, but since we've been home have been pumping exclusively. I just wanted to know how much should each breast be able to produce per pumping session?
I pump about every 2 1/2- 3 hours and most of the time i get between 3-5oz per breast. Is that good? Too much? Too little?
I formula fed my first born, so this is all new to me!
Thanks!
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
I'd say you are producing a little much since she should be eating about 2 1/2 to 3 ounces per feed... But you are also
probably at your very productive time since your daughter will be going through many growth spurts very soon!!!!
I'd say keep this rate up and freeze the unused milk for future use (lasts 4 months in normal freezer).... If you slow your prouction now you may have a problem with having to build your supply later... So I think you are on a good road to success!!!
Combat Medic Wife :)
That's actually pretty good, I used to be able to do that but I think because I just pumped that's why I am having problems now.
I can only pump on one breast now, Don't know what happened but I can no longer produce any milk on my left breast....Also I have to wait 6 hours now to get 5 oz, if I just wait 3 hours I only get about 3 oz and my little boy is a little chunky monkey so I wouldn't last long with only producing that much every 3 hours.
I have started to have my son every now and then breast feed instead of pump so that I can get my supply back up and so far hasn't done any difference.
A little advice I would give you would be....Go to Target and get the storage pouches and once a day pump into the pouch and put it in the freezer, to this has saved my butt a couple of times because you will have those days when you just fall behind on bottles and aren't producing much milk that day( mostly because you aren't drinking a lot of water) and when you see that you fall behind just take one of them out and you are back on schedule....seriously a life saver, especially if you have places to go and can't pump and that's how you fall behind.
But so far you are doing great, keep it up!
Rae's Momma
It varies by person. My friend just switched from pumping to formula because she was only getting half an oz each time she pumped. When I pumped I'd never get the same amount, it was usually between 2 and 4 oz on each side though. As she gets older you'll have to pump more and you'll build up a supply.
Liz B
Everybody's body is different, just like every baby is different, so I would say you are making the right amount for you! Well done and keep it up!!