https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 01:37:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1131047 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 05:57:20 +0000 Bookish 1131047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: @Pepper: thanks ladies :) I ordered some mother's milk tea and fenugreek so fingers crossed that it helps!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1130545 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:00:05 +0000 Pepper 1130545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookish: Don't beat yourself up. I get it though. I'm not even back to work and my supply is taking a major hit. I tried to pump in between nursing sessions and only got 1 oz. I'm taking the MMP pills like @swedishfish and hoping it works! Hang in there. You're awesome for being so dedicated!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1130523 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 20:54:26 +0000 swedishfish 1130523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookish: I get it. My supply hasn't been great either since going back to work. I started the More Milk Plus pills last week and they seem to help a bit.</p> <p>Don't feel Mommy guilt. You are doing a great job providing nourishment for your baby! Pumping at work is tough stuff and you deserve a free high five! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1130250 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:48:04 +0000 Bookish 1130250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: it went up and down for a couple weeks but it's been on a steady decline for over a week now. Thanks for the advice though!</p> <p>@kodybear: thanks, I think I'm going to keep trying. I've read a few moms on here who have done it!</p> <p>Today ended up being a total of 5.5oz. That's the worst so far. It's funny how when it comes to this, I'm good at giving advice but not taking it. I know I shouldn't be this upset that my supply is tanking and that it isn't my fault, but I cried so hard this evening. Mommy guilt sucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1129473 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:10:04 +0000 kodybear 1129473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookish: i exclusively pumped since 2 or 3 weeks bc of latch issues. but i would definitely continue nursing as long as it is something you want to do! i know many moms who have successfully done that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1129309 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:21:50 +0000 meganmp 1129309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long has it been at 7? I find that my supply ebbs and flows, and I'm short 5 ounces a day some weeks, some weeks I'm over. I just have to keep going and use some frozen stuff and it gets back to where it's supposed to be. If it's been more than a week or so that you're getting 7, then disregard my comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1129244 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:07:54 +0000 Adira 1129244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookish: I'm not sure if you already looked into this or if it would help you at all, but I found this article about the "magic" number helpful!</p> <p><a href="https://breastfeedingusa.org/content/article/magic-number-and-long-term-milk-production" rel="nofollow">https://breastfeedingusa.org/content/article/magic-number-and-long-term-milk-production</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1129037 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:17:25 +0000 DillonLion 1129037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookish: lo weaned herself off the breast at 8 months so I've been exclusively pumping since then. I pump at 7, 12, 4, and 9 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1128991 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:10:42 +0000 Bookish 1128991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: @kodybear: @DillonLion: thank you so much for your responses. I really appreciate hearing others' experiences!! I am tempted to drop and stop stressing, because really, us moms have enough to stress about. Did y'all keep nursing at all when you were home, or did you stop? I'd like to keep feeding her in am/pm so she keeps the benefits, but who knows if my supply will stick around.</p> <p>@Adira: That's a good point. I used to be up to 7oz in one AM session, so the bubs can hold a lot....I guess they just choose not to anymore &gt;.&lt; </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1128960 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:03:18 +0000 DillonLion 1128960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did 3x until she turned 8 months and it was always o.ly enough fir 50% of her intake. I dropped to 2x at work and my supply held steady until 10 months. It has been pretty low since then. I made it this far and really really want to get to a year (her bday is end of next month).</p> <p>Some of my pump sessions barely net me an ounce these days, but it all counts. The benefits are still there and. since we are supplementing anyway, I never have to worry if she's satisfied. Anyway, that has been my experience with long term pumping at work and not having a full supply at any point. It is hard, but doable. You do what's right for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1128954 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:01:55 +0000 kodybear 1128954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i agree with mrs green grass. my supply sucks and so i know exactly how you feel! but after a while i just kind of stopped worrying about it. for the most part i can provide half of what my baby needs and i learned to be okay with it. i did usually lose 1-2 oz every time i dropped. but i could still provide 2 bottles (out of 4) for her which was my goal. if you're okay with possibly losing an ounce or two, then i'd drop it. who knows, maybe dropping a pump might be okay or even better! esp if it makes you less stressed! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1128933 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:56:57 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1128933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you want to build supply, I think you'd have to pump longer each time. If you drop to two, your supply might stay the same or it could easily drop...so be prepared for that possibility.</p> <p>At the same time...if you are already supplementing, why fight it? Drop to two pumps a day for 30 mins each and just be okay with it.</p> <p>I stressed for 11 months about pumping and my supply, etc. But he always also got formula because of reflux. After I stopped, I wondered why I worried so much. I pretty sure he likes the formula better than the milk! I'm glad he still gets some (frozen), but if it's not 100%, what's the big difference between 50% or 75% in the long run. Do what works best for you! Three times is really, really hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1128860 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:42:26 +0000 Adira 1128860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly don't know how it will affect your supply, but I only pump 2x at work (11:00 and 3:30) and I get the same amount out as when I pump 3x/day. BUT I know my breasts can store a decent amount of milk, so I think that's why I can get away with it. Some women have to pump more often because their breasts can't store as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dropping-pumping-sessions-1#post-1128842 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:38:56 +0000 Bookish 1128842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is currently 3 months old, and I've been back at work for about a month now. I pump 3x a day (9:30, 12:30, and 3:30), each time for about 15-20 mins (lunchtime is longer, about 30). My supply stinks. I started off getting 8-10oz a day (which was fine, because I could pump in the AM before work and finish up what she needed for daycare).</p> <p>Now though, I'm getting about 7oz max a day, and my AM pump gets me 2-3. I need 14 to cover what she eats, and so I've started supplementing with formula. </p> <p>My question is, if you had supply issues, when did you give up on pumping sessions? My third pump of the day only nets me about 1, *maybe* 2 oz total. I've been tempted to drop down to 2 and space them out, but I don't know.</p> <p>This blows, and I'm irritated that it's not working, because I love to nurse her, but I just can't keep up. I'd love some advice on how to space out my pumps, or if it's worth it to keep doing 3. </p>