I produce so much milk it seems like but not enough for my baby girl.

Shannon - posted on 04/12/2010

Don't give up, if you can help it! Go to GNC or a vitamin store and get Fenugreek tablets to help bump your supply. Worked wonders for me. 2-3 tablets with every meal doubled my milk supply.

Kathy - posted on 04/11/2010

Sounds like your baby is getting plenty, Tiphanie. Just keep breastfeeding her, rather than pumping. Pumping is no measure of how much milk you're producing. Keep up the good work.

Jessie - posted on 04/10/2010

DONT GIVE UP! pumping is in NO WAY and indicator of how much milk you have. I can't even pump 3 ounces when I am full of milk. My son is almost 9 months old, I just have to pump more often to make bottles for him. However, he only has a bottle when I work part time, never when he is with me. Please give it another month at least before you resort to formula or weaning. the first 6 weeks were really hard for me. I swear to you my baby nursed for an hour at a time, every 2 hours or so. basically he was attached to my breasts all day and night. but now after that initial period it is easy as pie. also, you milk supply hasnt yet stabilized for your babies needs. trust me, nursing is more effective than pumping but you should still do that to to build up a bigger supply just freeze the milk or save it for when you need a little break. having the baby at your breast is better for supply if you are concerned though. never let anyone tell you that your baby isnt getting enough from you just because they are hungry often at this age. if they didnt successfully breastfeed they do NOT know what they are talking about. my mom, etc tried to tell me this but I was very stubborn. my baby was 5 months old before he ever tasted formula (I got really sick and my supply took a drop and took a bit to bring back up) YOU CAN DO IT! please add me as a friend if you want to talk of need advice or want to compare our cute babies pics, lol.

Carrie - posted on 04/10/2010

2 things - how much you can express is no measure of how much milk you make - its a measure of how good you are at expressing!
Empty breasts make more milk - don't let them 'fill up'. Your breasts make 80% of a feed within 20 minutes. If you want breastfeeding to work, my suggestion to you is to feed more often - at this early stage at least 8 - 12 times per day. As she gets bigger and stronger she will get quicker at feeding. (In a few months, she might only take 5 or 10 minutes to complete a feed!) Hang in there!

Katie - posted on 04/09/2010

When I was BF I could never pump as much as he I know he got. When giving my son a bottle he would go through 5 oz and when I pumpedd I would get 3 oz. So unless your daughter is really seeming to not be getting enough by not gaining weight or being lethargic then I wouldn't worry about it too much. Your breasts will catch up to her just let her nurse as much as she needs to! Worry about a schedual when she gets a bit older.

Jessica - posted on 04/09/2010

my sons pediatrician actually told me not to pump for the first month to 6 weeks bc at that point ur baby and ur body are trying to regulate each other. do let her feed whenever she wants. breastfed babies very rarely if ever overeat. im not sure at what point in her feedings you are pumping but try letting her feed first then pump whats left. but do wait for her to show the signs of being full before you start to pump. these are: arms at dead weight and hanging by her sides, when you place your nipple to her mouth, she just plays with it, or falling asleep and not seeming interested. after a good pumping session you should get about 1 ounce total from both breasts. one hint that i have found to be helpful in producing more is continue to pump for a few minutes after your breasts are empty. that sends a message to your brain that your baby needs more. thats how babies tell us that they need more when they are having a growth spurt. they are not only eating every hour during these spurts but they are "ordering more" for the coming days. also remember to drink plenty of fluids. avoid caffeine as much as possible because that lessens your supply and get 500 more calories than you normally would each day. i hope this helps!!! good luck. and remember your doing a great job and you are by no means alone.

Camille - posted on 04/09/2010

She just needs to nurse and nurse and nusre to build up your milk supply, which is probably what she is trying to do. Also babies go through a growth spurt around 2 weeks. Pumping wont always work for some moms. Personally I was never able to produce even a single drop for a pump but I successfully fed (and am still feeding) my 10 month old. Just let her nurse on you on demand instead of pumping and try not give up. It will only get easier as she gets better at it and bigger and stronger. Dont be discouraged, you're doing a great job! Good luck!

Breanne - posted on 04/09/2010

2 weeks! My dear you haven't let her BF long enough to make the assumption that you're not making enough. Just let her nurse nurse nurse and you're body will make enough milk. Pumping is miss leading because you can NEVER pump out as much as your baby can nurse out. Just keep it up! Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Don't go to formula if you don't have to. Keep nursing away.!

Megan - posted on 04/09/2010

great advice from all the moms above, keep up the breastfeeding, nurse on demand
the WHO says breastmilk is best, moms milk in a bottle is second best, a milk donors milk in a bottle is third best and formula should only be used as a last resort. you are doing great, don't do the formula, your milk supply will go right down the tubes. Personally, IMO formula should be available by prescription only for the babies who really need it.

Ashley - posted on 04/09/2010

when she is nursing from you just let her nurse till she finishes.. then you will know she is full.. my son was the same way..

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 04/08/2010

I'm not sure why you're worried because it sounds like you're doing fine. I agree to just let her nurse from you. Nurse on demand and as long as she has plenty of wet diapers then you're fine.

Celeste - posted on 04/08/2010

A few thoughts:
-4 oz is a lot for a 2 week old. I had to bottle feed my twins for a few weeks (probably due to bad advice) but the MOST they had at that age was 2 oz.

-Is there a way to let her nurse from you? Nursing is MUCH more efficient than a pump

-Pumping IS NOT an indicator of milk supply. But having said that, you are getting A LOT!! Average pumping amounts is about 1/2-2 oz so you don't have any problems with pumping output!

What I suggest, if it's possible, is to let her nurse as much as possible. She will be going through growth spurts, and nursing frequently, which is GOOD. This will help with milk supply (although it doesn't sound like you have any problems with supply). She's only 2 weeks, give it more time!

Ana - posted on 04/08/2010

You will always have just the right amount of milk for your baby if you let the baby nurse on demand. You have done 2 weeks so far, why not try a little bit longer? You are doing such a good job. Like everybody said, I too find sometimes I cannot get anything if I pump, but they know how to do it properly and babies always get all the milk they need out. I would recommend you try to get material from Carlos Gonzalez on breastfeeding.

Nancylee - posted on 04/07/2010

you're doing good! keep at it! when i tried to pump i would get nothing...seriously. but my boys both were chunks from breast milk alone. it's is way easier and formula is sooo expensive! not to mention the many other bennys of BFing: bonding with mama, happier baby, healthier baby...and that means happier and healthier mama! also- breastfeeding helps mama lose extra weight they may have put on during pregnancy.

don't give up yet. you are just about to turn the corner and it get easier and easier.

Jacquelyn - posted on 04/07/2010

I agree with melissa I am sure she is getting enough because she is getting more than the pump and that is way more than enough, some babies just like to suck so they will nurse as long as you let them just to suck.

Melisa - posted on 04/07/2010

You should really try to stick it out. At 2 weeks your baby and breasts are working together to keep eachother happy. It sounds like you have enough milk though! Your baby is MUCH more efficient than a pump! She will ALWAYS get more than you will get through pumping. I have actually never fed my daughter from a bottle, but I have pumped and have milk stored just incase and all I can get at each pump session is 1-2 oz from each breast.

Most people on here will agree that formula is not always the answer. There are almost always things you can do to continue! I reccommend keep going, let her feed from the breast more than you pump. At least let your breasts regulate it's milk. Breasts are like factories supplying milk on demand. So the more she drinks from your breast and empties them, the more you will produce. You can also try to take fenugreek if you are worried about your supply. This increases it.



Good luck, and try to hold on a little longer!!