Don't think I am pumping enough?!?!?

Chuah - posted on 06/19/2010

try double pumping which more stimulate your breast. If you couldn't get double pumps, try to nurse your baby and pump. You will find it helps.

Allison - posted on 06/16/2010

I only got 3.5 oz or so at the pump as well, so I just had to pump every 2 hours to keep up. And I could NEVER get "extra" milk when home with my son. My pumped milk BARELY kept up with my son's appetite, because he wanted 4-6 oz. per feeding at the bottle - he would use up my full supply each day, so I had to be diligent about replenishing it daily. But we managed to avoid formula if I just pumped whenever I could at work. Pumping just doesn't work as well as the baby sucking.

Also, my lactation consultant told me you have to pump for 15 minutes even if nothing comes out, to stimulate your supply and give yourself enough time for letdown (or 2nd letdown if it's after nursing, takes about 10 minutes usually, but I found my second letdown was only 0.5 to 1 oz, so not worth it actually).Good luck!

CHIKA ADAORA - posted on 06/08/2010

your milk comes as the baby sucks. it is adviceable to pump before the baby sucks because the sucking produces milk. you can also try manual expression using your fingers on the arola (the black part not the nipple). feel relaxed and you will see that the milk comes easily.



make sure that you eat very well you can always shed off the extra weight after breast feeding.dont loose hope cause i did it and it worked for me just relax and have fun while at it..

Aicha - posted on 05/25/2010

try putting a warm compress on your breast before you pump it will help you relax and help the letdown reflex

Shannon - posted on 03/20/2010

make sure you are drinking plenty of water at least 60oz a day also make sure you are eating enough. i can always tell when I haven't eaten enough or drank enough, my production is down.

I am guessing that no you aren't doing anything wrong, you just need to relax and stop stressing and your body will start making more. Don't worry about getting to the house work, there will be plenty of time for that in the future.

Just keep doing what you are doing and things will work out. :)

Elizabeth - posted on 03/17/2010

I am so sorry you are having a hard time. Keep up the good work. The marathon nursing is just right. I know it is a pain but it works. Make sure your pump is draining everything from your breasts. When you go to pump get look at a picture or a video of your son. Stimulate your nipples for a minute or two before going to the pump, this will stimulate milk to be made. Remember that with the bottle babies eat more because it doesn't activate the hormone that he is full as well. If you are worried about how much he is getting or that he isn't getting enough make appointments with WIC, LLL or your pediatrician to have him weighed regularly. I would recommend contacting a lactation consultant from any of these place anyway. I would love to come help you but unfortunately I am in Germany. What a bummer. I hope this works for you.

Kathy - posted on 02/18/2010

Remember your prolactin levels are at their highest in the early am. this is when you can increase your milk supply. PUMP IN THE AM... be consistant!

Diane - posted on 02/18/2010

I have the same problem. With my work schedule, I can only pump 2-3 times a day. I'd love to have stockpiles, but I can't keep up with his appetite! In addition to the 6-8 oz. I send to daycare, he eats at least another 8 oz of formula. He's 3 months old and gaining weight just fine. I'd like to wean him off of the formula, but not sure how. I've tried pumping an hour after feedings and get a few drops. Anyone have suggestions?

Kathy - posted on 02/07/2010

prior to pumping relax for a few , breath for a few ...you can't get milk from uptightness... get a shawl & put that over your shoulder. get some thing that smells like your baby.. Have a warm compress. & pump ready. Shoulders warm, ,Comfortable,in office or at home ,,,,, u need tools of the trade.... 1, lightly tickle breast,starting under the arm pit,& near the collar bone ( tickle,like goose bump light tickle)light tickle toward the nipple, this will stimulate the milk ducts to start the let down process. Continue this for atleast 2 minutes. Remember we are aiding in stimulation. Now you can apply warm compress, & pump.. Pump For normal amount of time Plus 5 minutes. Try this for 3 days.. The stimulation is the important part. & I would pump a few minutes longer in the early am that is when your body wants to make more milk....

Amanda - posted on 02/04/2010

I always seemed to pump more if I chugged 16 oz of water about 5 minutes into my pumping session. Also, you may be able to trigger multiple letdowns. After 10-15 minutes, turn the pump off, massage your breasts a little, and let them rest for a couple of minutes. When you start pumping again, your pump will start the letdown phase suction, and should trigger a second letdown. I never got multiple letdowns when my son nursed (I think he just sucked me dry very quickly), but sometimes I could get two or three for the pump by taking little breaks.

Starlit - posted on 02/04/2010

Thank you ladies...I just thought it was me. I know so many women that punp 4 oz every time and have stock piles! LOL As far as the pump it is a hospital grade medella pump.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/03/2010

first thing first. You are doing great! What kind of pump do you have? Before you pump stimulate your nipples and take a few deep breaths to relax. When you pump look at a picture of your baby, a recording of your baby, something that tells you it is time to feed. Get a stuffed animal if you have to and hold it between your breasts. When you are home do a lot of skin to skin. Get a sling if you need your hands free. It sounds like you may need more help than what I can give you. Ask around for a breastfeeding support group or a lactation consultant. They can help a lot more.

Michelle Carpenter - posted on 02/02/2010

No, l have the same problem!! I know my son gets more from me than when I pump (he is 21lb at 5 mo old, exclusively breastfed. But when I pump I get 2.5-3 oz as well. So I pump ev 2 hours at work and also after he goes to bed to try to keep up. It took me a while to figure it out, but the pump is just not efficient at getting all the milk. Also, I sat around forever the first 3 mo just nursing him, which meant my house was a mess and my 2 year old brought games and books to me, but it payed off. You are doing fine!! I noticed recently that I pumped before I went to bed and then Ethan woke up and I nursed him and he still got full, so that just made me really realize babies are just made to get the milk! Take care, be patient and hang in there !!



I hope this helps :)