Expressed Breast Milk in Small Amounts?

Question

I've recently started expressing and I was really disappointed with the amount .. I pumped for nearly an hour and only got out about 1 1/2 ounce ... But when we gave our newborn (2 wks.) the bottle, she seemed to get full pretty quickly... I tried again for the second time and it didn't take me nearly as long (about 20 mins.) to pump the same amount again .. Is this normal? Will I gradually be able to pump more as I go on ?

What I meant to say was - when we gave her the bottle, she got full quickly and I was still able to feed her another time without running out ..

I'm using an Electric Pump

Answer 1

Why are you offering a 2 week old a bottle? Are you having problems nursing? That's kind of early to introduce a bottle. It's not really recommended until 4-6 weeks.

What kind of pump are you using? Double or single? You should NEVER pump for more than 20 mins at a time. You could damage your nipples.

1.5 oz in 20 mins is good.

A 2 week old won't take a lot in one feeding. Remember that her tummy is only the size of her fist.

ETA:
Not all electric pumps are equally good. Is it a reputalble brand such as Medela or Ameda? Or a piece of junk like Evenflo (a.k.a."Evilflo") or First Years?

Answer 2

Pumping earlier in the day will yield better results because you have less milk by nighttime (because you are tired/baby eats more during the day than at night, etc.). Relax while you pump - maybe distract yourself by watching tv or something. I had some trouble at first, but now (my son is 5 months old) I can feed him and pump a 5 oz bottle in about 10 minutes. When I was getting frustrated earlier in the process I would only pump while I was letting down - the milk gushed during letdown as opposed to the low drip. Sometimes I take my hand and gently squeeze while it is pumping - that helps. I also found that my best time to pump was at the same time as breastfeeding. If my son was on the left, I would pump on the right, and alternate for the next feeding to even everything out. Electric pumps work much better than manual - not sure what you have. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hello, Just thought I'd give you my perspective as an exclusively pumpng mummy!! When I first had my son I found the whole breastfeeding experience incredibly painful as I had with my first child, despite there being no latch issues. After a week of agony and tears I began pumping every 3 hours and fed my son through the bottle. Like you, I concluded that actually I didn't like breastfeeding, despite trying again once the pain had subsided. My son is 8 weeks old and is still being fed expressed milk. The secret in my opinion is to express every 3 hours in the early days to really build up your supply above what the baby actually needs and begin freezing surplus milk each day (I still have a good stock in the freezer). I express roughly 30oz of milk in 24 hrs which I think is a lot and I think this is because my body thinks I have a very hungry baby (supply and demand ). In response to some other answers I would like to clear up what I consider to be misconceptions. Yes, it does take up time with sterilising, expressing etc...but in my opinion no longer than exclusively breastfeeding. Babies can nurse for an hour at a time at the breast! Also, you are not tied as being the only person that can feed the baby, therefore offering you more flexibility. Also, in relation to the foremilk/hindmilk, I store the milk in a lansinoh freezer bag in the fridge so the foremilk and hindmilk mix together. A friend of mine was exclusively breastfeeding and the baby had green poo. She was told the baby was not getting the hindmilk despite nursing for an hour. The baby was not gaining enough weight and it was even suggested that formula should be introduced.My friend began doing the same as me and the problem was solved. Yes expressing is demanding but any method of feeding a baby is. Also, I get to sit down and relax surfing the net/reading etc... while expressing which gives me a little 'me' time! Another plus is that you can see how much milk your baby is taking. A rough guide is 2 and a half times the babys weight in oz's. So my son now weighs 12oz, I feed him 30 oz of milk a day. Good luck and I wish you all the best :) Well done you for wanting to give your baby the best start. I feel very satisfied for feeding my baby my own milk.

Answer 4

It's totally normal

It just takes time.

You also need to relax...stress reduces your production too...

So hand baby over to daddy. Put your feet up, drink a glass of water turn on the pump and read a magazine.

It will get better, when I first started I was pumping teaspoons full...I was totally disappointed and never thought I'd be able to keep him on breastmilk (I had to come back to work)...but here I am three months later and I express three times a day at work and collect easily 20 ounces just while I'm at work... He only eats about 15 while he's at daycare...so we're doing just fine.

No worries mamma..you'll be fine! And yay to you for making the effort of breastfeeding!

Answer 5

What type of pump are you using? I borrowed a pedal pump from my local health dept then later got an electric one on loan. Manual pumps are rather ineffective I have found (3 kids later!)
You can also try taking Fenugreek supplements to boost your supply.
Pumping does not produce the same effect as nursing, so have patience, you are doing great by breastfeeding!

Answer 6

Yes! The more often you are able to pump, the more your body will start to produce. When you pump milk, you are sort of faking your body into thinking the baby is nursing, and so it will produce as much as the baby needs.

Answer 7

when are you pumping? i found it best when he was feeding on 1 and i pumped the other usually mange 7oz, it should improve the more she feeds the more milk will be produced and the more you will ba able to pump out, good luck :)

Answer 8

I've been pregnant twice and I know this is going to sound bad and weird but what really works and no it wont hurt your baby is to drink a can of beer. there is something in it that really makes your milk come out. I hope it works for you if you try it. I worked for me both times.

Answer 9

Ya know I was up to 8 oz. a day, but K-Fed kept making White Russians with it!