https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Jul 2026 06:29:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit/page/2#post-710147 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:05:58 +0000 ChelseaRose 710147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now I'm experiencing a deficit of about a bottle or two a week. I built up as big of a freezer stash as possible (200+ oz) before going back to work and I'm slowly cycling through it. I pump at 6, 9, 12, 3 and get 18-23 oz. I may start pumping at 9:30pm too if it gets any worse. On the weekends I'm so sick of pumping and only pump on the side that he doesn't nurse on in the morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706952 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:14:45 +0000 kml636 706952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I'm having the same problem. If I leave two 5 oz bottles, they tell me she needs more, but I can only pump about 8 oz a day. I have already gone through my freezer stash! I'm freaking out! </p> <p>I ordered more milk plus. Right now I'm lucky she's only in day care two days so I have some flexibility to make up the deficit, but otherwise I would be stuck using formula. I'm already pumping 4x per day, once in the mornings before I leave, 3x at work, I could add one after she goes to sleep but I only get like 1.5 oz so it sucks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706581 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:13:25 +0000 78h2o 706581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gah - I meant 4th bottle - my phone won't let me edit that part<br /> Also, I didn't realize until reading this that the number of night nursing sessions was affecting my supply the next day, but that might explain why some days are "randomly" better or worse than others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706570 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:04:35 +0000 78h2o 706570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I pump 3, sometimes 4x at work and get 8-12oz. She needs 15-16oz while I'm away. I usually pump 1-2 more times at home (before/after work) and more on my days off. For awhile I had zero stash and was just making it. Now I have maybe 13oz in the freezer. I pretty much pump whenever I can and take it one day at a time!</p> <p>Eta: I send (4) 4oz bottles but sometimes she don't need the 3rd one. It's ridiculous, but it totally makes me happy when that happens because I can freeze that milk! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706511 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:26:49 +0000 kiddosc 706511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: whoa, 8oz of breastmilk in a bottle is a lot! I would try smaller bottles more frequently. I always stressed over how much to put in E's bottles, but he only takes 6oz at most now at 10th months. Daycare would always say he seemed hungry, but he didn't nap well and I knew he was fussy because he was tired. H is probably going through a growth spurt now, but I'd still try the smaller frequent bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706500 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:15:54 +0000 yellowbird 706500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm gone from my LO from 7:15-5:30 everyday. Before solids she was eating 20oz in that time! Now that she's started solids its down to 16 oz. she went from five 4-4.5oz bottles to four. My baby is ravenous! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706471 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:59:35 +0000 matador84 706471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 7 months and I pump 3 times at work. I only get 8 oz over 3 pumps the whole day. I still nurse him at 7am and before bed around 730, and then nurse on the weekends. It was unbelievably upsetting for me at first, I felt like I was starving him. My pedi convinced me that as long as he is getting what I am putting out and she used a formula to calculate based on his length and weight how much he needed to intake minimum per 24 hour period and that helped put my mind at ease a lot. I think there is a calculator on kellymom. I also take Reglan and it has helped me more than anything else to maintain what little supply I have...and I feel like I've done everything...MMP, Fenugreek, Mother's Milk Tea...etc., etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706450 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:42:41 +0000 Kemma 706450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: some babies love to comfort suck and when they do this at the breast, the suck changes so very little milk is ejected and swallowed. Unfortunately with a bottle the baby can't help but take in the milk when just trying to comfort suck and they have no option but to swallow it.</p> <p>Maybe ask your nanny to try and offer some sort of distraction when she finishes her usual bottle before offering more milk? Sometimes just a change of scene or taking bubs outside might give her a chance to re-group and realise she's not really that hungry :-)</p> <p>You could also try splitting her feeds into three, three ounce bottles as bm is easily digested and she might go better with smaller, more frequent feeds? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706438 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:33:43 +0000 LemonLong 706438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Are you using size 1 nipples on her bottles? They have the slowest flow so the baby needs to work more to get the milk. Maybe she's sucking it down so fast she's not able to gauge when she's actually full? An 8 oz bottle seems like a lot! Could just be a growth spurt though too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706309 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:45:44 +0000 MrsRcCar 706309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump 3 times a day. I get about 30 ounces a day. Which is just enough for my DS. Thank goodness, although I wouldn't be opposed to supplementation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706302 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:40:30 +0000 PrincessBaby 706302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: So you also think she's just being a hoglet on the bottle? I dont know what to do... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706298 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:36:12 +0000 Kemma 706298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think Kellymom advises that you should allow 1-1.5 ounces of breastmilk for each hour you're away from Baby so if you're working 8 hours then the max she should need is about 12 ounces.</p> <p>And whilst the night feedings are a pain in the arse, they're great for supply! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706045 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:02:13 +0000 PrincessBaby 706045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: She is waking up 1x a night now and eating a lot more than when she was STTN. I think she is just being greedy on the bottle. Hog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-706005 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:43:18 +0000 Rescuemom10 706005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am concerned about this for in the future when LO starts to eat more. Right now she takes one 4oz bottle every 4 hrs. So two bottles at daycare.<br /> I pump two times at work 9:30am and around 2pm. Usually get around 11oz.</p> <p>I just started taking Fenugreek in fear soon my 11oz wont be enough.<br /> Right now I am still able to add to my freezer stash but I fear once she starts eating more its going to make me dip into that.<br /> We will see if the Fenugreek ups my pump amt. There is no way I can fit 3 pumping sessions in at work. Oh and I usually pump for about 30 min ea time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-705999 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:37:41 +0000 MsLipGloss 705999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Usually 3 (bottles). I am gone from about 7:3o to 5, so she eats at approx. 9:00, 12:00, and 3:00 . . . and I bust my butt to make sure I am home for the fourth feeding. I also think we may be doing a little bit of reverse cycling, because I co-bed with her at night (due to reflux . . . it's a long story) and she loves to be on the boob! I have tried 5oz for each bottle, but she was leaving 0.5 to 1oz in each bottle. </p> <p>Awwww, not entirely crazy! And she might be eating more during the day because she is STTN (or close to it - hate the 4 month regression!), whereas my LO has never STTN (*sigh*), so, yeah . . . . if that makes sense? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-705997 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:36:04 +0000 PrincessBaby 705997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@stlginkgo: I am a sales rep so I drive to accounts all day:(. It is totally NOT conducive to pumping! It sucks ass! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-705991 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:33:41 +0000 stlginkgo 705991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I first need to ask: where do you live that your workplace does not provide a space for pumping? Being exiled to your car certainly is not a relaxing place for producing and extracting milk!</p> <p>I would recommend pumping every chance you get. If LO still has a middle of the night feeding, pump after that if your breasts feel super full, weekends are also a great time to stock up in case you need to dip into your stash. Eat oatmeal and stay hydrated. Good luck momma! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-705988 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:32:56 +0000 PrincessBaby 705988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: how many bottles a day does she eat w/4.5 oz? I'm wondering if H is either going through a growth spurt, or is just eating more on the bottle bc it's easier? She NEVER acts like she's still hungry after eating on days I'm home, and I think her eating 8 oz in one bottle at 4 months seems crazy!!! That's crazy, right??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-705978 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:28:25 +0000 MsLipGloss 705978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Producing enough milk is a HUGE stressor for me. I supplemented here and there when I started back to work (thrush destroyed my freezer stash) and have needed to supplement during the week from about 5 months (LO just hit 7 months) to present. I am currently down to 2 pumping sessions during the day, and usually yield 7.5-9 ounces. I currently give LO both BM and F - each bottle has 2.5-3oz of BM, and 2-1.5oz of F (for 4.5oz total).</p> <p>3 pumping sessions was just too disruptive at work (especially for off-site client meetings and depositions), so I cut back to 2. I am also in the process of sloooooowly day-weaning, but that is a story for another day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-705965 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:21:27 +0000 PrincessBaby 705965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mmmkay so I pumped at 1030, 130, and 330 and I got about 11oz total, then came home and PrincessBaby aka PigBaby ate 14 oz! </p> <p>I am going to stick with the 3 pump sessions though bc I did get more, and I may also pump after she goes to bed tonight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704811 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:15:17 +0000 kiddosc 704811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started off just trying to pump three times while I was at work to cover what he was eating, but I could never get enough. I have to pump 5 times a day to cover what he eats while I'm gone. Once in the morning while I'm getting ready, three times at work, and once in the evening after he goes to bed. I know he's can get more out than my pump can, so if he wakes up and wants to nurse too soon after I've pumped, he can usually get enough to satisfy. I also pump on the weekends about a half hour after he's nursed. I don't really get much, but it's enough to give me a cushion for the week ahead. I've spend 2.5 hrs a day hooked up to that damn pump for the last 8 months... I'm so over it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704790 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:10:01 +0000 meganmp 704790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally had a deficit when I went back to work. I freaked out about it, and added in two extra pumping sessions. Both kids take three 5 ounce bottles while I am gone, plus DH gives one of the kids off five ounce bottle during the 4:30 wake up. I nurse 1 kid at 4:30 a.m. and pump at the same time, then I nurse both at 7, pump at 830, pump at 10:30, pump at noon, and then I have to wait untill 4:30 when I am heading home to pump again in the car. I nurse them again at 6:30 before they go to bed, and then pump before I go to bed. I end up pumping about 35 to 40 ounces a day, which makes me feel like a cow. I have not had to supplement supplements yet, but I have dipped into my freezer stash quite a bit, especially in the beginning when I did not have my pumping schedule down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704727 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:51:26 +0000 PrincessBaby 704727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sloaneandpuffy: I'll report back if my extra pumping session yielded more milk! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704725 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:50:31 +0000 PrincessBaby 704725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: Did MMP give you any side effects? Are they huge pills?</p> <p>@mamabolt: Yes, as time consuming as an extra pump session is, that is what I'm doing right now! Yesterday's defecit was a wakeup call!</p> <p>@mrsjyw: yes I think I'm going to try the nurse one side/pump the other...Esp since homegirl has been waking up at least 1x in TMOTN and she def only ears from one side then. So I might just have to suck it up and pump the opposite! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704721 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:50:02 +0000 mrsmenow 704721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing I do is if LO gets to bed at an odd time and I would normally have fed her, but she is sound asleepI will pump and put it in the fridge so if she wakes up realatively soon I will nurse her and then give her some of the bottle (make sure to divide what is in the bottle so the rest you can save if she doesn't finish it all). That way I don't go to long with out pumping/feeding, but if LO sleeps through the night I am not waking her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704655 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:33:15 +0000 swurlygurl 704655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump 6 times a day and get 16 oz total, and she drinks around 25 oz, so the remainder is formula. It stresses me out, but at least she's getting the benefit of having half breastmilk! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704635 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:27:55 +0000 mamimami 704635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were you, I'd be pumping three times during the workday. Perhaps once shortly after you leave the house. Last time I freaked about the deficit although I never had to supplement in the end. I did more milk tea and all that stuff. </p> <p>You might be OK because soon you'll introduce solids. </p> <p>This time I don't think i'll have a deficit anytime soon. Nursing all night is not good for my sleep situation but it's great for supply! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704632 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:26:43 +0000 crunch 704632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump 3 times a day and get about 24 oz total. LO drinks between 28-32. Supplementing use to also stress me out but then I just accepted it and he gets 1-2 bottles of formula every day just so I don't stress about my supply. I think it's actually helping me to keep pumping! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704624 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:23:01 +0000 LaurenEC 704624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even though he didn't take bottles on the weekends, I would still pump 1-2x/day on the weekends to build up a bit of a buffer for the coming week. </p> <p>Until LO was 9mo old, I would pump 3x/day at work. He was pretty consistent at getting up at a certain hour so I would get up 2+hrs before that and pump. I would also pump 2-3hrs after he went to bed. So that was about 5x/day. He would take around 20oz-22oz (and 2 nursing sessions) a day. </p> <p>I was not good at building a stash beforehand but hope to do better at that this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-whats-your-defecit#post-704583 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:13:04 +0000 sunny 704583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had major anxiety about this which dropped my supply even further. I was pumping only 9 oz TOTAL over 3 sessions and constantly wanted to cry. LO was eating around 9-11 oz while I was gone so I was usually short a few ounces that I would try to make up on the weekend. </p>