breastfeeding and pumping
I am still breastfeeding Bailey and she is gaining weight good and eating every 2-3 1/2 hours which is good ( I was told). She seems very satified after a feeding so she seems to get getting enough, but when I try to pump about 30 minutes after a feeding I only get about 3/4 of an oz combine between both sides. I thought I should be getting around 2 oz or so that this stage. I have been pumping for over a week now and that is how much I have always gotten. Is this normal? I go to the breastfeeding center again next Friday but anyone have an advice or thoughts?
in my experience
The more "demand" you have the more you will produce in time. If she seems satisfied and is gaining weight I think you're doing great. As far as pumping 30 minutes after a feeding I don't know. I never did it that soon. I had to pump while Bekka was in the NICU and she got tube feedings then when she came home I breastfed her off and on but by that point she was really used to a bottle so I just continued to pump and feed her with a bottle. I'd ask at your next visit.
Melissa
Blessed to be Bekka's Mommy
Our miracle is gonna be Four on February 13th!!
1 lb 5 ozs 13" to 28lbs 36" Time sure flies!
pumping
I think eating every 2-3 hours is about normal for a newborn. My kids always ate much more frequently than that, so that is good, to me anyway! Are you just pumping so you have extra milk for convenience? Have you tried pumping immediately after nursing? Maybe your body would see it as the same feeding, but an increased need for more. Then try 30 minutes later and see what you get. Also, if you pump immediately after nursing, try "dangle feeding." Sounds wierd, but it's just as it sounds...pump while you "dangle" your breasts, and you may get a bit extra. I can always get more doing this, or by gently squeezing (especially squeeze from underneath the breast). I'm assuming you did buy a good electric pump? That will make a difference too. But actually I think that pumping an ounce or so only 30 minutes after nursing probably sounds about right. But there are lots of things you can do to naturally boost your supply...pump more often, drink TONS of water, eat oatmeal every day. I have also taken Fenugreek to help boost my supply. It may take a few days to work, but it did help me. However, your pee will smell like syrup, and your skin will probably smell like syrup too. I believe Fenugreek is what maple syrup is made of. My husband called me Aunt Jemima while I took it. Will you be going back to work?
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
Yes I will be going back to
Yes I will be going back to work the first week in March. I am trying to get a stock of milk before I go back. Yes I got the one at the breastfeeding place, I think the name was Medela advance.
I tried to pump right after she ate this morning and I only got 1/2 oz total between both sides. /i know she is gaining good because she weighed 7 lbs when we left the hospital and at 2 weeks she weighed over 8 lbs even with her spitting up alot.
pumping
I always had better luck pumping while nursing. I would nurse the baby on one breast and pump on the other. My body responded much better and I was able to get a lot more milk this way. I didn't pump that often, but it worked when I new I'd need a bottle for a night out or something. I have also found that pumping first thing in the morning is better, even while nursing during the night. Good luck, pumping is definitely my least favorite part of nursing.
Wow Melissa!
That is impressive...nursing AND pumping at the same time!! My kids were always to wiggly to pull that off. I would assume this would be a great idea though. I think I've heard before that some of your milk is made WHILE you are nursing, so your body may see it as an increase in demand. I also agree with pumping immediately when you get up in the morning...I can always pump WAY more than I would need for one or even two feedings first thing in the morning. Also, maybe get up in the middle of the night once to pump, or before you go to bed. I give you alot of credit for planning on pumping and still nursing after you go back to work...it's alot of work, but very worth it! Shawn stopped nursing at 2 months, he's now 8 months and I've been pumping for every one of his feedings...it's so much work and I've thought many times about giving up, but then I think of the cost of formula (especially the Alimentum that he needs) and how close we are to the 1 year mark..and it seems silly to give up now. Besides I know how much better it is for him. Good luck!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
It depends
Do you feel like there is still milk there after she nurses? If so then you should probably go ahead and pump immediately after instead of waiting 30 minutes. I never felt like I could pump right afterward, so I would wait more like half way to the next feeding. Even if you waited 1 1/2 hours and she eats at 2 to 2 1/2 hours, she is better able to signal to your body for an increase in milk production. That might help to kick up your production and then it will be easier to pump in between too.
Pumping
Well when I am feeding Novalee I pump the other side and I get about an oz or two at a time. but now that I am working I pump 4 times a day and only get two oz out of each breast at a time sometimes only 1 1/2 oz. Don't stress about it too much just keep it up what your doing.