Melissa

doxgirl

Question about your new pump

Are you getting more at each session or is it just faster.  I usually get between 4-6 oz. in about 18-20 minutes.

burkems

It's just faster. When I first started pumping I was getting 6 oz (total) at my first morning session in 8-10 minutes. Last week I was barely getting 4 oz in 25 minute, and almost all of that was from one side (I thought my supply was dipping in the other one). With this pump, it took me probably 8-10 minutes to get 6 oz (I wasn't watching the time closely), and I got almost an even amount from both sides.

doxgirl

I think that I am going to talk to a lactation consultant. It's so hard to figure out what's normal as far as pumping goes.  How much is May taking in a bottle now.  Will is taking 5-6 oz.

burkems

She takes 4 oz bottles, 4 times a day at daycare. I feed her before we leave the house, around 7. She eats at daycare between 8:30 and 9:30, and I think my sitter is trying to push her longer in-between.Her next feeding is between 10:30 and 12, depending on how getting lunch ready for the "big kids" goes. She eats again between 1-2, and then between 3:30-4:30, so she is not hungry when I'm driving home. 

I pump 4 times a day, every 2 1/2 hours at work (which is why 30 minute sessions were not cutting it).  I was really worried when she jumped to 4 oz bottles (from 2 oz bottles, just one day after two weeks at daycare she decided 4 oz was where it was at) that I wouldn't be able to keep up with her, but my supply increased when I started pumping more.

I have heard from other girls talking about this that whatever they take in a bottle now is what they will take until they wean. Breast milk's caloric content changes as they grow to meet their needs- so it's important to rotate your freezer stash by date to make sure they're getting age appropriate milk.

I have no idea what's "normal." I tried to figure it out from other people, but everyone is so different! I just pump as much as I need to make sure she gets enough for daycare. I have a freezer stash of about 80 oz. that I was only able to build up because she was sick for a week and not eating as much as usual.

Talking to an LC could definitely help! Good luck!

doxgirl

Thanks for the info. I wish I had a freezer stash.  I pretty much pump one day what he takes the next day.  I've gotten all off schedule since I've been working like crazy and missing the midday and 6 pm feedings.  I am lucky that I can pump in my own office, so it makes it easier to pump more often.  I was pumping in the mother's room at work, but it just got too stressful for me to be away from desk so much.