I feel like my output is so different every day, but there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it. I'm also JUST back to work (two weeks ago), so maybe it will start to even out.
I can see a difference depending on how long it's been since the last feed or pump, but that's the only pattern I can find. Also, my better producing side (go, lefty, go!) fills back up SO MUCH faster than the other.
Do you pump more/less on different days or at different times? Tell me about it. I'm curious!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I think it will get better for you! I've been back to work and pumping for just over a month and I now get 12-16 oz with 3 pump sessions. I always get the most with my morning pump, anywhere from 5-8 oz, then 4-5 oz, then 2-3 oz.
When I just started I was just getting 12 oz, barely making it!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@snowjewelz: Thanks lady! My little lady is drinking 5 oz bottles, which means 15oz when I'm gone from her. I really hope I can keep up!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@mfa_lady: You will! I was so nervous those first few weeks too. Chugging water, eating oatmeal all the time, etc. b/c I was afraid I wouldn't pump enough! Slowly but surely my supply went up juuuuuust a little bit. Sometimes it dips down too, I guess when I don't get enough sleep.
blogger / apricot / 310 posts
Ugh yes! I was actually consistently getting 18 ounces at work with three pumps, and now I can get between 13 and 18 ounces, depending on how long I go between pumps. My daily average (which has slowly decreased over time, sadly) fluctuates between 36 and 39 ounces. I can't always tell if it's because of how much water I drink overnight, what I ate, or timing because it still seems a bit random, nearly 8 months of pumping into it.
Good luck, mama!
pomegranate / 3895 posts
@mfa_lady: When I pumped four times a day my output was so strange (but consistent) -- it was consistently this:
6 AM (after his first feed): 8 ozs
9 AM: 7 ozs
12 PM: 6 ozs
3 PM: 5 ozs
With each feed, I lost an ounce?!
Ah! I just noticed that @snowjewelz: had the same experience!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@Mrs. Milk: 8 months, great job!!! I'm just hoping to make it to 6 mo so far, 2 more months to go! I already want to throw my pump out the window lol!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Mrs. Milk: Thank you! It's so weird how all this pumping business works.
@LBee: Thanks for your input! I think I'm going to have to start pumping after her first morning feed, too. Yikes!
honeydew / 7622 posts
@snowjewelz: this is almost exactly how my pumps go. I pump 3x morning afternoon and night, never at the same time, but each time after a feed and get about 13 oz a day.
eggplant / 11716 posts
My output was almost the same every day, but I was an EPer, so I dunno if that has anything to do with it.
My morning pump would be about 15-18 oz; every pump after that would be just 6-8 oz, with each pump slightly decreasing as the day went on.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@youboots: That's pretty great if yours is after a feed! When I did it at home on maternity leave randomly I was not getting much!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@snowjewelz: Do you pump 3x at work, or is one of those at home? I just don't think I'm going to be able to pump 3x at work unless I come in early to do it!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@mfa_lady: it's at work.. fortunately they are pretty flexible with me. BUT if I could only pump twice I'd probably pump the 1st time on the way to work or somehow find time to pump at home before leaving...
pomegranate / 3895 posts
@mfa_lady: That's my best pump, oddly enough - even though he just fed. I'm going to be cutting down my pumping sessions in the next month to 1 at work (I have about 1600 ounces in my freezer) and I'm going to keep that 1 in the morning at home.
What made the biggest difference was borrowing a pump from a friend (actually my sister). I now can leave one pump at work and have one at home. That way I'm always set-up constantly and can pump with ease.
persimmon / 1431 posts
I've been back at work for over a month now, and my supply has stabilized. When I first returned, I think my supply dropped, and then it went back up. I pump 4x/day, 2x at work, and in total, I probably get about 25 oz/day. LO is 6 months now, and I thought that as soon as I returned to work, but supply would suffer, but it has not been too bad.
Also: I hate pumping.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@LBee: Does he STTN? That could be why. I pumped almost 7 ounces from one side this morning at work and then realized it was because she hadn't eaten from that side since the middle of the night...which was like 7 hours!
blogger / apricot / 310 posts
@snowjewelz: RIGHT? I definitely set mini goals for myself, like I did when I was nursing. First was six months, now nine. After that, hopeful to make it to twelve months!
@mfa_lady: it is SO weird! upon further reflection, i think that i've found my 'optimal' refilling time for max output is about 5 hours. I usually pump at 7, 11, 3:30 or 5 (depending on work), and then 9 PM. On weekends, I vary and pump at 8, 12:30, 5 and 10 and tend to get more.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Pumpkin Pie: So good to know your supply went back up! I went back part-time for two weeks, and my schedule and my supply was wonky. I'm back full time starting today, so hopefully all will be settled in soon. And yes...pumping is the pits. But worth it for these little minions! 
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
My output is pretty consistent, though I try to pump at the same time every day. The only difference is sometimes Logan will eat earlier or later than normal, so my output at that first pump will vary depending on him.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@mfa_lady: With my first, I used to only pump twice at work. I'd pump at home before leaving work though and had to get up 30 minutes earlier to accommodate the pumping time at home.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Adira: I'm on my second pump right now, so we'll see what I end up with. I REALLY hope I can get enough with two pumps a day at work! I also pump during her last feeding, and my husband gives her a bottle....so sometimes I pump more than what I need to cover the next night's bottle. In those cases, I could maybe squeeze out (literally, ugh, ha!) enough to supplement my work pumps if needed.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
Update: Yesterday, in two pumps, I pumped EXACTLY enough for the three bottles she'll take while at the sitter's. If I can keep it up, we'll be in business. I'm worried that whenever the schedule is off a little, it'll throw me. (Like today, my team is volunteering in the afternoon so I'll have to pump on the way home.) But, that's what my freezer stash is for, right?
Thanks for all the responses yesterday.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@snowjewelz: hm. Sleep. I'm screwed.
My output varies too and I'm not sure why. I'm currently not meeting the demands of my 7m. And I have zero stash left. It's making me very sad.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@regberadaisy: You already made it to 7 mo!! I know it's still sad, but you did everything you could! If she could just continue getting some BM, it's still beneficial!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@regberadaisy: I agree with @snowjewelz: on this one! 7 months is a huge feat!
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