Is it normal for pump output to decrease as the work week drags on? I've pumped twice so far today and only have 5 ounces. Usually I'd have 8 ounces or pretty close to it by this time. I pumped until empty as usual (usually about 10 minutes) each time, and did nothing differently today than I did yesterday, but I'm short 3 ounces! Doesn't that seem like a lot?
ETA: Just pumped my third and final pump of the day. 2.75 ounces. Which is less than 8 ounces total for the day. I usually get over 11! Thankfully my last day of work is tomorrow and then I can go back to EBFing, so trying not to let it get to me too much. But still, what gives? I even pumped an extra 5 minutes this last session but one side doesn't feel completely empty like usual (this is the same side that had the plugged duct earlier in the week). Could my supply have taken a little dip from the plugged duct, or because the babysitter has been giving DS larger bottles (4oz instead of 3)?
I don't know about the plugged duct, but I've noticed a dip in my supply at the end of every work week. It usually goes back up after a weekend of EBFing. Monday is always about 2 oz higher than Friday.
Is it normal for pump output to decrease as the work week drags on? I've pumped twice so far today and only have 5 ounces. Usually I'd have 8 ounces or pretty close to it by this time. I pumped until empty as usual (usually about 10 minutes) each time, and did nothing differently today than I did yesterday, but I'm short 3 ounces! Doesn't that seem like a lot?
ETA: Just pumped my third and final pump of the day. 2.75 ounces. Which is less than 8 ounces total for the day. I usually get over 11! Thankfully my last day of work is tomorrow and then I can go back to EBFing, so trying not to let it get to me too much. But still, what gives? I even pumped an extra 5 minutes this last session but one side doesn't feel completely empty like usual (this is the same side that had the plugged duct earlier in the week). Could my supply have taken a little dip from the plugged duct, or because the babysitter has been giving DS larger bottles (4oz instead of 3)?
I don't know about the plugged duct, but I've noticed a dip in my supply at the end of every work week. It usually goes back up after a weekend of EBFing. Monday is always about 2 oz higher than Friday.
I think that it took me at least 3 days to get my supply up after a plugged duct. I had a lot of success by filling a diaper with hot - almost - scalding water and wrapping it around the top and sides of the breast for 10 minutes before pumping.
emerald27 - do you have any articles/charts/websites handy that indicate that breast milk changes as an infant ages? My mom made the comment that I'd have to start giving DD 6-8 oz bottles when she's older and I told her, no breastmilk isn't like that. She asked me how it knows to change to something with more calories and I couldn't really explain it.
Is it normal for pump output to decrease as the work week drags on? I've pumped twice so far today and only have 5 ounces. Usually I'd have 8 ounces or pretty close to it by this time. I pumped until empty as usual (usually about 10 minutes) each time, and did nothing differently today than I did yesterday, but I'm short 3 ounces! Doesn't that seem like a lot?
ETA: Just pumped my third and final pump of the day. 2.75 ounces. Which is less than 8 ounces total for the day. I usually get over 11! Thankfully my last day of work is tomorrow and then I can go back to EBFing, so trying not to let it get to me too much. But still, what gives? I even pumped an extra 5 minutes this last session but one side doesn't feel completely empty like usual (this is the same side that had the plugged duct earlier in the week). Could my supply have taken a little dip from the plugged duct, or because the babysitter has been giving DS larger bottles (4oz instead of 3)?
In addition to all the wonderful things PP said I just wanted to add that I have noticed big differences with output when I don't drink enough water while at work. I also notice when my stress level goes up at work my output goes down. I've learned to keep my pump session productive I have a radio play quietly in my office while I pump to help distract me from the world. It's my time to escape.
We've been working on ditching the nipple shield. DD does fine latching and starting without it but after about 4 to 5 minutes she starts to repeatedly unlatch. She gets frustrated and then I usually give up and use the shield and she finishes the feeding like normal.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! After my last pump yesterday in which I noticed one side still feeling full afterward, I went home and let LO nurse a lot. He even woke up an extra time MOTN to nurse also (he usually only wakes once). But...left breast never stopped feeling engorged. It still feels full and heavy and hard and it hurts! Today pump output is low so far too. I tried massaging the engorgement while pumping but it just won't get empty. I wonder if maybe I have another plugged duct? It's the same side as earlier this week, but it feels different somehow. Not a small lump like before, now it's just an overall feeling of being engorged, but one area of my boob feels harder and more tender than the rest (but still not a "lump"). I'm at work so I can't really try a warm compress, but I like your hot diaper idea bsquaredmsquared. I think I might try it when I get home from work right before nursing DS. And thank you for telling me it took at least 3 days for your supply to get back to normal. You may have saved me from freaking out this weekend over it! I'm such a worrywart about my supply
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! After my last pump yesterday in which I noticed one side still feeling full afterward, I went home and let LO nurse a lot. He even woke up an extra time MOTN to nurse also (he usually only wakes once). But...left breast never stopped feeling engorged. It still feels full and heavy and hard and it hurts! Today pump output is low so far too. I tried massaging the engorgement while pumping but it just won't get empty. I wonder if maybe I have another plugged duct? It's the same side as earlier this week, but it feels different somehow. Not a small lump like before, now it's just an overall feeling of being engorged, but one area of my boob feels harder and more tender than the rest (but still not a "lump"). I'm at work so I can't really try a warm compress, but I like your hot diaper idea bsquaredmsquared. I think I might try it when I get home from work right before nursing DS. And thank you for telling me it took at least 3 days for your supply to get back to normal. You may have saved me from freaking out this weekend over it! I'm such a worrywart about my supply
I should also say that things didn't feel back to normal while I was working on the issue so don't panic. I truly thought that I had broken my boob forever!
Hi! I'm new here and looking for some breastfeeding related advice. Since going back to work (DD born 10/7) we've been dealing with a mad case of reverse cycling. She will eat MAYBE 3 ounces at daycare (from 7:30am-5pm) and then nurse all night long. While I'm glad she loves nursing this means we are up all night making up for those lost calories. I'm making it work by co-sleeping but its not a feasible long term solution (my husband hates the idea and we are constantly arguing about it, plus a full night sleep at some point would be heavenly). Any advice on breaking this cycle?
Hi! I'm new here and looking for some breastfeeding related advice. Since going back to work (DD born 10/7) we've been dealing with a mad case of reverse cycling. She will eat MAYBE 3 ounces at daycare (from 7:30am-5pm) and then nurse all night long. While I'm glad she loves nursing this means we are up all night making up for those lost calories. I'm making it work by co-sleeping but its not a feasible long term solution (my husband hates the idea and we are constantly arguing about it, plus a full night sleep at some point would be heavenly). Any advice on breaking this cycle?
How long have you been back to work? DS really didn't eat much the first week of daycare. He ate a little more the second week. And then by the third week he settled on and was eating like I had expected him to.
I make sure to feed him well just before daycare and I feed him as much as possible on the evenings to load him up before bed.
Hi! I'm new here and looking for some breastfeeding related advice. Since going back to work (DD born 10/7) we've been dealing with a mad case of reverse cycling. She will eat MAYBE 3 ounces at daycare (from 7:30am-5pm) and then nurse all night long. While I'm glad she loves nursing this means we are up all night making up for those lost calories. I'm making it work by co-sleeping but its not a feasible long term solution (my husband hates the idea and we are constantly arguing about it, plus a full night sleep at some point would be heavenly). Any advice on breaking this cycle?
How long have you been back to work? DS really didn't eat much the first week of daycare. He ate a little more the second week. And then by the third week he settled on and was eating like I had expected him to.
I make sure to feed him well just before daycare and I feed him as much as possible on the evenings to load him up before bed.
Same here. It took a few weeks. I think a little of it was adjusting to the bottle, and a little bit getting used to the new schedule. I hope it evens out for you soon!
I've been back at work since January 5th. She was doing a little better with it and then came down with her first cold. She seems to be feeling better now but refuses more then an ounce at each bottle feeding. Hopefully she figures it out soon, mama is tired!!
I think someone mentioned earlier than congested babies have a harder time with bottles, so they prefer boobs when they are sick. (Also, the comfort.) So if she's got a cold, that could explain the lack of enthusiasm for a bottle. Our DD went on a bottle strike during her cold.
Worried about supply tanking after losing 4lbs in a day due to stomach virus. Any advice? Trying my best to stay hydrated but food just isn't appealing right now.
Worried about supply tanking after losing 4lbs in a day due to stomach virus. Any advice? Trying my best to stay hydrated but food just isn't appealing right now.
As long as you're hydrated and still nursing/pumping as much as possible, you should be ok. You may have a dip for a few days or a week which you should be able to bring back up with skin to skin, more frequent nursing and/or power pumping.
Can I improve baby's latch so late in the game? Or do I just need to suck it up?
I have wondered this too! DS's latch isn't terrible (his gain is perfectly on track, so he's transferring fine) and it's not painful anymore, but it gets off sometimes when he unlatches and relatches or when he's super hungry and just crazy at the breast, and I have a hard time getting it right again. I've been going to the LC just to be sure we're still on track, and of course his bad behavior never manifests when we are there. I'm in the suck it up category at this point.
YES! You can always improve baby's latch. Encouraging him to open wide before latching, and nursing in positions that are conducive to a deep latch, can help.
Habits that have been held longer are harder to work through, so it can be harder for the baby who has latched a certain wrong way for months to relearn than another baby who has only been latching poorly for a week or two. But it can still be fixed with persistence, patience, and loving guidance.
It's not uncommon for mom and baby to need to reevaluate latch several times during their breastfeeding journey. As baby gets bigger and gets teeth, etc., sometimes they have to be guided more closely in latching properly. And nursing toddlers can become "lazy" with their latching. It's always a learning and changing thing.
Post by mrsbabe614 on Feb 10, 2015 12:53:59 GMT -5
emerald27, aaand why is theresat not in the quick tags here... So if I can scale back to two pumping sessions a day (normally three) and get the same output as far as feedings, is it ok to do that or am I really messing something up here?
emerald27, aaand why is theresat not in the quick tags here... So if I can scale back to two pumping sessions a day (normally three) and get the same output as far as feedings, is it ok to do that or am I really messing something up here?
It really depends. You can try it and see if your output remains high. If it drops, you can add the third session back in. It's helpful to avoid your breasts becoming full between pumpings, because that will signal a decrease. You might be able to pump enough in two sessions and not experience any supply difficulty, or you may really need that third session. How many hours would there be between pumpings with just 2 sessions?
emerald27, aaand why is theresat not in the quick tags here... So if I can scale back to two pumping sessions a day (normally three) and get the same output as far as feedings, is it ok to do that or am I really messing something up here?
It really depends. You can try it and see if your output remains high. If it drops, you can add the third session back in. It's helpful to avoid your breasts becoming full between pumpings, because that will signal a decrease. You might be able to pump enough in two sessions and not experience any supply difficulty, or you may really need that third session. How many hours would there be between pumpings with just 2 sessions?
I pump at 9:30 and then again at 2:30 so 5 hours is pretty much my max. I guess I'll give it a shot and see what happens?
emerald27, aaand why is theresat not in the quick tags here... So if I can scale back to two pumping sessions a day (normally three) and get the same output as far as feedings, is it ok to do that or am I really messing something up here?
I'm trying to decide if I want to scale back as well. I currently pump 4 times a day and am considering cutting my early morning pump session before I leave for work. I can get what LO eats at daycare in the first two pump sessions in the morning. But, I'm the fullest in the morning and don't want to be uncomfortable and have it backfire for the weekend. (Plus, I need to add more to my freezer stash for my trips in March and in May.)
Post by bsquaredmsquared on Feb 11, 2015 8:28:51 GMT -5
Before baby arrived and before I realized the complexities of BF and supply/ demand, a woman I worked with told me that she gradually spaced out per pumping sessions to every six hours. I guess that everyone's body is different.
A lot depends on your breastfeeding and pumping goals as well. Some mothers don't mind a supply decrease because they're planning to wean. Others want to maintain their supply as long as baby has the desire for nursing. Every mother has unique goals, and taking the course of action that assures meeting your goals will help you succeed.
If you drop a pumping session, maybe move the others around to minimize time between sessions. Watch your output closely and pay attention to how baby feeds when you're home.
emerald27 - do you have any articles/charts/websites handy that indicate that breast milk changes as an infant ages? My mom made the comment that I'd have to start giving DD 6-8 oz bottles when she's older and I told her, no breastmilk isn't like that. She asked me how it knows to change to something with more calories and I couldn't really explain it.
I know it does it; just want to see how.
Reposting because I saw a few ladies in Randoms today indicating that their pedis were recommending larger amounts of milk. (Going from 3 oz bottles to 4, for example.)
Is this a common recommendation? I didn't think you had to.
Before baby arrived and before I realized the complexities of BF and supply/ demand, a woman I worked with told me that she gradually spaced out per pumping sessions to every six hours. I guess that everyone's body is different.
Yes. Can emerald27, post that storage capacity image here? I think it is really helpful to get a visual. Some women who EP can get by with pumping 4 times a day and still make enough milk for their baby for months. Other women need to pump 6-8 times a day to keep up. I need to pump frequently at work or my supply dips. Others can get away with spacing sessions and still get the same amount of milk at the end of the day (this works for me for 2-3 days and then my supply goes down).
My coworker (who I posted about on here months ago as struggling to pump 7 ounces in 24 hours at 3 weeks postpartum) is now pumping more than enough milk for her baby in only 4 pumping sessions a day (after 2 months of dealing with tongue and lip ties, she has decided to EP -- but did get her supply up successfully).
It varies a lot. So you can try it, and if your supply decreases, add the sessions back in.
emerald27 - do you have any articles/charts/websites handy that indicate that breast milk changes as an infant ages? My mom made the comment that I'd have to start giving DD 6-8 oz bottles when she's older and I told her, no breastmilk isn't like that. She asked me how it knows to change to something with more calories and I couldn't really explain it.
I know it does it; just want to see how.
Reposting because I saw a few ladies in Randoms today indicating that their pedis were recommending larger amounts of milk. (Going from 3 oz bottles to 4, for example.)
Is this a common recommendation? I didn't think you had to.
My pedi recommended to same thing so now I'm curious.
Reposting because I saw a few ladies in Randoms today indicating that their pedis were recommending larger amounts of milk. (Going from 3 oz bottles to 4, for example.)
Is this a common recommendation? I didn't think you had to.
My pedi recommended to same thing so now I'm curious.
It depends how much baby is drinking and how many times a day baby is eating. It is common for babies to start to eat 6-8 times per day now rather than the 8-12 times/day expected of a newborn -- so with fewer feedings, the amount per feeding has to increase for the total intake to remain the same.
DD1 went up to 5oz bottles at 5.5 months (And stayed there until age 1); DD2 is still taking 4 ounces happily.
I'd base it on the baby if you can't do a weighed feeding to get an estimate of how much baby is getting from nursing.
I've been back at work since January 5th. She was doing a little better with it and then came down with her first cold. She seems to be feeling better now but refuses more then an ounce at each bottle feeding. Hopefully she figures it out soon, mama is tired!!
I think we may have figured out part of her issue with bottles. I tasted her milk today and it tasted like vomit. Dr Google suggests it's an extra lipase issue. Is anyone else dealing with this? How did you know for sure? Any tips on scalding milk? I feel horrible thinking we've been trying to force this nasty tasting milk on her. No wonder she hates bottles!
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