About how many ounces should I be able to pump while using a breastpump in 10 minutes?

Question

(Using a breast pump?)

Answer 1

Pumping is a skill that you need to be good at to get much, also not all pumps are created equally.

It isn't abnormal to only get 1/2 oz when you pump. It isn't abnormal to get 10 oz.

Pumping is NO MEASURE of how much milk you have.

Some Breastfeeding Myths
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/11some_bf_myths.html#8
8. Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has.
Not true! How much milk can be pumped depends on many factors, including the mother's stress level. The baby who nurses well can get much more milk than his mother can pump. Pumping only tells you have much you can pump.


1. Many women do not produce enough milk.
Not true! The vast majority of women produce more than enough milk. Indeed, an overabundance of milk is common. Most babies that gain too slowly, or lose weight, do so not because the mother does not have enough milk, but because the baby does not get the milk that the mother has. The usual reason that the baby does not get the milk that is available is that he is poorly latched onto the breast. This is why it is so important that the mother be shown, on the first day, how to latch a baby on properly, by someone who knows what they are doing.

Answer 2

It depends on how old your baby is, how often you are pumping, what type of pump you are using, and many other factors.

The first 3 days or so before your milk comes in, you won't pump much. Afterwards, it may be an ounce at a time, it might be 3 ounces. The amount will increase with baby's age and as your milk supply increases.

You may need to pump frequently (every 3 hours) to boost your milk supply, especially if your baby is young.

You will probably pump more with a double electric pump than a handheld manual pump.

Also, if you are stressed or anxious, you may have trouble pumping. I have a stressful job, and I could pump twice as much at home as I could at work. If your baby is content with how much you pump and is growing well, don't stress about how much you get.

Answer 3

There are a lot of variables that will determine how much milk you are able to get. Age of baby, time of day, etc. In 10 minutes I am usually able to get 1-2 oz from a side. Remember, baby is way more effecient than a pump so don't think you are drying up just because you aren't getting much milk. Also, it is hard to relax enough to get a decent let down when you are attached to a "milking machine." Looking at a picture of baby or thinking about him/her nursing and drinking a bottle of water can help you relax enough to have a more productive pumping session. Good Luck!

Answer 4

It all depends on how much milk your body produces. Every ones bodies are different. Also what kind of pump are you using? If you are using a hospital grade pump.. IE.. Pump and Style or the "Medela" or "Purley Yours" .. If you don't have the cash at hand to purchase you can rent the system. If you are using a store brand pump the suction is not as powerful. Your baby's suction is the best source of producing milk. If you have problems with your baby latching on try different positions. The website provided can help you with that information as well. Also, if you experiencing any discomfort or CONTACT your physician ASAP! Your baby isn't latched on correctly if you are experiencing discomfort. You can also get nipple shields and creams to help with discomfort. The nipple shields should not be used for a long period of time as they will slow down the production of milk. My best advice contact your la leche league. They are nationwide.

Good Luck

Contact your lactionist at the hospital or the LaLeche Program.

Answer 5

I assume you are breastfeeding and not just pumping, so don't worry about how much you "should" have. If you can't pump enough for baby (while you're at work?), then pump more frequently or have the babysitter give formula. I was told many times that I didn't have enough milk, and that I should give up breastfeeding, yet my baby grew fast, filled her diapers and was happy. I nursed her for 14 months. If you have a problem, find a lactation consultant or a La Leche League leader (they are angels). Don't bother calling your physician. Medical Schools do not teach about the mechanics of breastfeeding, but formula companies hold seminars to teach physicians how to help sell more formula. Best of luck.

Answer 6

No one can give you a certain amount you should be able to pump because every woman's mammary glands are different and produce different amounts of milk. I, personally, wasn't able to produce a whole lot (I was lucky if I put out 2 ounces), even though I pumped every half hour to stimulate my glands enough to hopefully produce more milk (didn't work, unfortunately), whereas, my friend was able to produce enough to feed her child, my child, and about 2 or 3 others in a single pumping session.

Answer 7

It dependes on everyone and how much you are producing. The more you pump the more milk you produce.

For me in ten minutes I pumped 4-5 oz.

Answer 8

it really depends on the women and depends on how often you feed. At first when I was pumping, it seemed as though I was only getting about 2 ounces but as my baby got older and was feeding more then it seemed as though I was getting almost about 4 ounces out of each side.

Answer 9

When I was nursing my daughter, I could pump about 4-6 oz. in about 10 minutes. It decreased after she was about 6 months old, though, because she wasn't nursing as much, so I wasn't making as much.