hi, i am breastfeeding, only 5 weeks now, and have just started to pump. is this normal - that one breast pumps triple the amount of milk vs. the other? the second part of my question is, is there a normal amount of breastmilk that is pumped on average? (it takes me about 45 min just to pump 4 oz. ... it feels to me like i should be getting much more milk than i am) any ideas?
thank you for your input.
2007-05-23 16:00:55 · 7 answers · asked by jval 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
First thing is that pumping is not a good way to determine exactly how much milk you have. Regular pumps available today on the market can get out about 35%-45% of milk. Hospital grade pumps can get out 60-67% of milk. I am have been pumping for 6 month out of which 4 are exclusive pumping and did allot of research on the pumps and pumping. Only a baby can get all the milk out, so if you are not getting allot of milk out don’t worry. Nurse the baby as often as you can and for as long as you want. Many babies prefer one breast over the other and there are many women that are lump sided. That's why you might have more milk on one side and not the other. Your baby might not like the other breast because the letdown is too fast/slow, he does not feel as secure on that side because your hand is weaker or just does not like being held on that side.
When you pump you need to pump for 20 minutes and if you can keep the baby near so that you will get more letdowns, you can also try breastfeeding the baby and pumping on the other side.
If you are worried that you don’t have enough milk there are a few things that you can do to help your body up. Drink Fenugreek seed and/or More milk plus supplements, you can also drink Mother’s milk tea (all of these items can be found at Whole Foods). You can also drink a bottle of dark malt beer ( it can be nonalcoholic) even La Leche League agrees that there is something in beer, particularly in dark malt beer that increases milk supply, at least temporally. You may also drink malt shakes, but there is something extra in malt beer (maybe the east) that has a better effect. Water has nothing to do with milk production but it helps you stay hydrated.
The best way to increase your milk supply is to nurse more often and don’t pay too much attention at how much you are pumping. As long as your baby is happy and gaining enough weight you have enough of milk. Congrats and good luck.
2007-05-23 17:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by Natalia D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, you are doing really well! I tried pumping with both of my little ones (the third should be born soon). The most I EVER got from both breasts together was 10oz. and that was some 7months or so into it. Pumps are horribly inefficient compared to babies. The fact that one gets more than the other is most likely a function of the tissue and the amount of stimulation your nipple/breast gets with the pump. You can try talking to the lactation consultant at the hospital to see if she can help you get more, but I'm impressed. I could never pump enough to make a difference and it didn't matter because my kids would never take a bottle. Hope that I helped you feel better since I couldn't help you more than that. Best wishes
2007-05-23 16:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by Momofthreeboys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I breastfed my daughter for 6 months and pumped/ breastfeed for 3 more. The amount of milk you produce depends on the amount the baby is demanding from you. the more pumping you do as frustrating as it can be. the more milk you will produce. also switch breasts try to use the one that pumps less more often. the last thing you want to do is give up on one or both breasts. My best advice would be relax and pump away. Good Luck
2007-05-23 16:10:35 · answer #3 · answered by PumaChica 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a 6 week old that i am breastfeeding now. i don't get the same amount of milk from both breast either. it was like that with my first child also. the amount that can be pumped is the amount that your body thinks the baby needs. the amount of water that you drink and how often you feed or pump effects your supply also. 45 minutes is way too long to be getting the amount of milk that you are. i would check into getting a motorized pump or a better one. i use a medela pump-in-style. i got it really cheap of eBay and it's really nice.
2007-05-23 16:07:15 · answer #4 · answered by redpeach_mi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had that with both my kids. I literally could only pump 3oz at a time, that was it and I had a hospital grade dual pump!!! Your baby is a more efficient nurser than a pump. Also, are you letting your child nurse then pump? That will help to fully drain your breasts and keep your milk supply boosted. Your body works on supply and demand. The more you nurse, the more your body produces. I wouldn't sweat not getting anymore milk. Getting THAT much is awesome!!!
2007-05-23 17:10:27 · answer #5 · answered by 2cutekiddos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats actually alot IMO.......and yes you will get more than the other at times. Soon your baby will favor one side from the other and you will notice it even more.
No one pumos the same amount plus you baby is a much better sucker than any pump! so actually we never know how much is really in there.
its been 5 weeks, the more you nurse your baby the more milk your body will produce (supply and demand) a pump really isnt as good as having your baby nurse.
I always pumped after baby was done nursing
2007-05-23 16:05:21 · answer #6 · answered by JUST JOKING 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not unuasul humans are not machines and you must allow for these differences. ~~
2007-05-23 16:09:59 · answer #7 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋