How much breast milk is a "normal" amount??

Samar - posted on 12/25/2012

in fact I have faced similar situation after I felt sick and I had to stop breastfeeding for ten days,you just have to stick to healthy diet and having a lot of juices and water. Also try to say relaxed as stress stops the milk. Finally,the most important point is as much as your baby sucks the more milk will come out so breast feed your baby until he loses his patience and start crying then offer him the bottle. I did the same and my milk came again so don't worry :)

Maria - posted on 12/18/2010

Every woman is different and u can get up to ten oz if baby demands it!! and i had the same thing i got more milk from one side then the other but i think that was because she favored one boob more than the other. I would go and pump at school and my pregnant friend would always look at the milk i pumped and would say wow u only got 4 oz after so many hours!! but my baby was only drinking two oz!! i did get a lil self conscious cuz i didnt kno. But baby will tell you everything!! just always always put baby to the breast its all about supply and demand! if your baby is pooping enough and pee'ing enough and is gaining weight then everything should be fine! ur doing great keep it up! if their is an issue called the lactation specialist and tell them whats going on they will help! but yea make sure u are drinking water also u need to be eating!! just as much as you were as you were pregnant/ more!! remembe rin this case u are literally feeding for two so if u are not eating enough then u are lacking the neccessary stuff for baby and for urself which is not good!

Sharhonda - posted on 12/18/2010

I had that same problem, don't let you mother n law make u feel that way. I had to do both formula and breastmilk. I just figured that my son was just greedy and I couldn't produce much, lol. But I learned that drinking tons of water helps a lot! I'm not the type to drink lots of water so maybe that was it but I'm due any day now with my second and will be trying the breastfeeding thing again and drinking lots of water. So don't get discouraged, just drink lots of water and you should be fine! :)

Nicole - posted on 12/17/2010

I found the best time to pump was right after the morning feed! Don't worry you will start making more, just relax and it will come!

Jennifer - posted on 12/17/2010

pumping really is not a good indicator of supply. your baby is much, much better at getting milk out than a machine is. as the other ladies said, just pay attention to your babe...as long as diaper count is good, and baby is content don't worry about how much you pump!

i exclusively pump, as i never was able to get my son to take the boob. i had all sorts of issues in the beginning with not pumping enough ...part of it was not pumping often enough, part was the pump not stimulating enough, and i really believe that part of it was my breasts just needed time to learn to respond to the stimulation of the pump. my point is just to tell you to keep pumping, and try not to be discouraged! massage helps my letdown reflex a lot when pumping...i have my own technique but they say the best way to do it is the same way you would do a self breast exam.

Lise - posted on 12/17/2010

That's a great amount! The average amount of milk in 0.5-2 ounces COMBINED for a breast feeding mom! (It would ideally be higher if you were replacing a feed, more like 1.5-3 ounces). You're doing great! If I pump after feeding my daughter, I'm lucky to get 1 ounce - and she's only had breast milk (no formula). Your supply sounds great.

Just watch her diapers to know how your supply is doing and ignore your mother-in-law.

Janice - posted on 12/17/2010

My daughter always ate enough. She showed me by having enough wet and dirty diapers. Yet, when I pumped after the first 3 mo. I would barely get an ounce. Thankfully, I only had to leave my baby for short spurts to attend college classes. It is very frustrating not being able to pump much (especially since I did make enough to freeze for the 1st 3 mo.) but that does not mean your baby isn't getting enough. If you are home and you don't need to pump I wouldn't stress it. If you have to in order to be at work or whatever then you might need to look into increasing your supply with supplements. Oatmeal is an easy diet addition that can help.

Lynlee - posted on 08/19/2009

I had the same 'problem' with our son. I had plenty of milk when he was breastfeeding but I just couldnt seem to get much out when pumping. I just didnt worry about pumping and fed him naturally instead.

Etta - posted on 08/19/2009

If your baby is gaining weight and the doctor is happy with baby's progress, then you really have nothing to worry about. Believe me, doctors are the first to panic when nursing isn't going well. That happened with both my babies. The first one I had to supplement and I went to a lactation consultant for the second. The second time around, I was paranoid about my supply. But my LC reassured me that my supply was good. She told me that producing a couple of ounces a feeding was normal. Also, keep in mind that some people never get much when they pump; the baby is a lot more efficient than the pump. I've always been amazed and a bit jealous when I hear other moms talk about how their freezer is full of breastmilk. I never could get much of a stock pile. See a LC if you need peace of mind. They will probably weigh the baby, have you feed the baby then weigh the baby again to find out how much milk the baby takes in. Then they can advise you on what to do, if anything.
Good luck with your MIL, maybe your LC will have some suggestions.

Miranda - posted on 08/19/2009

Kristeena - i was the same exact way...i felt that my supply was low but my daughter seemed to be perfectly happy...I too had a more dominating breast and still do. My daughter is 4 months and 3 weeks now and full of rolls. I don't think you should work...your supply will increase in time..your baby is only a month...i didn't start pumping out more until my baby was at least 2 or 3 months...I also take fenugreek which is said to help increase your supply. As for your mother in law, what can i say, they all have "well when i" stories. Try not to pay attention, I know it's hard. I have one in my ear who always has something to say about anything. I also met with a lactation consultant who had a few pointers. If you'd like to chat more about it let me know. Pumping can be so frustrating at times but hang in there it gets better.

Jennifer - posted on 08/19/2009

As long as your baby is satisfied and dr isn't concerned with the growth (when you take your baby) then you shouldn't be concerned. Definitely up your water intake to help with the production. All babies and mothers are different in how much they need and make, so don't listen to your mother in law.

Michelle - posted on 08/18/2009

and dont listen ur mother in law - every woman is diefferent, and no one can judge you.

is not ur fault that u doesnt have much milk, my friend was planning to breastfeed her son, but when she had him her milk has disapperared.

Michelle - posted on 08/18/2009

Just like Channa said water water water - thats the base of milk production. also eat lots of juicy fruits like apples(will help to open bowels for u and ur child),

my son is only 2 weeks old but when he was born i had trouble with my milk coming out as well, but after talking to other mumms - al they said is u need to stimulate ur breast, put ur two fingers around ur areola and massage (ur fingers should be in look like C) and u going from top of areola to ur nipple. i was doing this for at least 10-15 mins on each breast and it did help now got plenty of milk, try also pump or breastfeed more often even if this is just for 10 mins, may be ur milk is so good that this little amount is filling ur babys tommy up!

good luck. and take care

Channa - posted on 08/18/2009

Drinking alot of water helps. I wouldn't really worry to much about it, unless your daughter is not gaining weight. With my first boy, I couldn't pump, just couldn't get it to work. I think I was just anxious about it so my milk wouldn't let down. 10 years later, we had our second baby and things were sooo much more relaxed. I was able to pump if needed. In any case don't let your mom in law bother you, your milk will come in and I am sure that your baby is getting enough, supply meets demand. Hang in there...