why do you produce more milk when breastfeeding soley?

Question

I took my daughter off my breast during the day and only feed her from my breast at night because I wanted to see how much she was really drinking. Now I have notices that since I have been pumping my milk supply has slown down. What's the difference between letting my daughter nurse and pumping the milk?

Answer 1

When you pump you can not empty the milk ducts completely like a nursing baby can. Since you are leaving milk your body says that it does not need to make more and to slow down.
I would put her back on the breast and let her empty the ducts to get your supply back up. You can go buy a scale and weigh her before and after you feed her to see how much she is getting. Just remember don't change her diaper in between.

Answer 2

A baby is the most effective way to express milk from the breast. Even the best pump is second rate. A baby will always get more than you can pump so unfortunately pumping is not an accurate measure. As long as the little one is having plenty of wet diapers and isn't loosing weight they are fine. Put the baby back to the breast as often as possible and your supply will come back up. You can try eating oatmeal(even cookies) to also help increase your supply.

Answer 3

Babies much more effective at compressing the milk ducts than any pump, so they are better able to stimulate the supply. No pump can exactly mimic the suckling motions of a baby. Also, a baby will take exactly how much milk they need from the breast, and your body does produce as you nurse. If a baby needs more, suckling at an empty breast sends a signal to your body to increase your supply. With a pump you aren't able to anticipate and execute the supply and demand relationship in the same way.

Answer 4

I think I understand what you are asking.
Your body works on a supply and demand. The more she breastfeeds, the more you'll have. She slows down, you do too.
When your baby breastfeeds, she stimulates the milk glands with her tongue and gums. It causes your body to produce more milk.
When you pump, it is mostly done on a suction basis, without the stimulation. You may not get as much milk.
Your body just "knows" how much to make. If there is more, pump.

I am wondering why you need to know exactly how much. The best way to tell if she's getting enough, is to watch her wet diapers and weight.
Is she happy and not hungry?
Go back to nursing her more, you'll have more milk.

I just went back and read "Brother Otters" input. Brother...are you really a brother or a mama? Your answer is PERFECT!
Good luck!

Answer 5

The baby is much more efficient than any pump. Also, the sight, sound, and feel of the baby at your breast stimulates milk production. I had more than enough milk when my daughter nursed, but could never pump more than about an ounce or so.

http://llli.org/NB/NBmilksupplyissues.html

Answer 6

Because the baby is more efficient at removing milk from your breast than the breast pump, and your body does know the difference, and therefore tends to "letdown" the milk more readily and produce more milk on demand.

Answer 7

A breast pump is man's best imitation of the perfection of a nursing baby. A baby who is latched on properly and actively nursing will always get more milk than you can get with even the very best pump.

Why did you want to know how much she is drinking? If she is peeing, pooping, growing, seems healthy and is meeting milestones then she is developing normally and getting plenty of milk. No need to measure it in ounces.

Answer 8

Your body responds to a baby nursing in a way that it doesn't to pumping. It's not just about getting the milk out. It's also the stimulation of the nipple, the way the child's mouth and hands kneed the breast, the smell of the infant, and your emotional response to nursing.

Answer 9

I've been told by some OB/GYN's that there is a bit of research also suggesting that the act of breastfeeding actually induces additional hormonal release of prolactin (which stimulates milk production) and pumping has less of a stimulating effect because it's "impersonal."

I'm not sure if it's known for sure, but that's certainly an interesting thought...