Xander is almost 3 weeks old and I started pumping a couple days ago. So far I just do it after our morning feed and I only have 1.5 ounces. I want to have enough to feed him so that I can pump during that feeding instead and hopefully start building a stash. How many ounces do I probably need to do that? Any suggestions?
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If you were giving a bottle instead of nursing I think around 2-3 ounces? That's probably what we were giving just before she decided bottles were the devil, lol. I sooo miss knowing exactly what she's eating...
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We started j on 2 oz bottles ! He gets one bottle a day ! At 8 weeks he is up to 4.5
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I would start with 2. If he's taking that down completely, I would up it to 2.5, and so on. My pedi told us that there should always be a teeny bit left in the bottle when they're done; that way you know they're not still hungry.
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Thanks ladies! I was thinking that what I would do was wait to have 2 oz (so hopefully tomorrow) and give that to him and if he still seemed hungry after, I would nurse, but otherwise I would pump. Does that sound reasonable?
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@Adira: Sounds like a great idea : )
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@Adira: As you know, J is also 3 weeks old and I've been giving him a bottle once a day. He's only taking in 2 oz per feeding right now! Your plan sounds like a good one
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@Mrs. High Heels: Do you pump when you feed him the bottle? Are you usually able to get 2+ ounces when you do that? I'm so nervous because so far I've only pumped in the morning after a feed and after 20 minutes, I've only got half an ounce to show for it... I'll get more during normal feeding time, right??
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@Adira: sounds like a great plan ! I pump the bottle for the next day while DH feeds !
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@coacheswife123: I really hope that I'm able to pump as much as Xander needs if he's taking a bottle at the time. I'm nervous that my pump sucks, haha, as I've only gotten about half an ounce out at any time (right after nursing) and I feel like I can hand express more when I'm done using the pump - that's not right, right??
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Here is a fantastic kellymom post on how much expressed milk bebe should need & then another on bottle feeding. =)
http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/
http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/
FWIW P ate only 2-2.5 oz in a bottle for what seems like forever.
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@hilsy85: same here. We started on 2 and now 2.5. She usually has a little left over.
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@Adira: what kind of pump ?! Try not to fret - your supply is still regulating !
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@Adira: yes I pump every time he's fed a bottle. i'm only pumping in once a day right now, usually in the mornings. i pump after a nursing session, and i'm able to get an additional 4 ounces. i've been eating oatmeal for breakfast everyday since we came home with the baby, so that might be helping!
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@Adira: also wondering what kind of pump you have. even though you're only getting an extra .5 ounces, keep at it and i'm sure that'll increase!
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@coacheswife123: @Mrs. High Heels: It's a Phillips Avent Double Electric Pump, but it's not new - my sister-in-law gave it to me. I'm wondering if it's not working well or if it's me! How do you know if your pump is working correctly?
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@Adira: when you pump, how's the suction? is it pretty strong? when i'm pumping, i can tell a huge difference when i plug my pump into an outlet vs when i'm using batteries because the suction is a lot weaker on batteries and my output is never as high.
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@Mrs. High Heels: I don't really know how to tell - it is plugged in and I can tell there is suction, but I don't think I'm really triggering let-down or anything - although if Xander's just fed, will I be able to?
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@Adira: hmmm I'm using a manual pump right now and get 5 oz in less than 10 min on one side But....I'm a moo cow haha. I haven't tried my electric yet ! You could get a cheap manual and see how much you get and compare that to what you are getting with the electric. If you eat more then I would say the motor is prob shot !
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@coacheswife123: Hmm, okay, I have a manual but haven't tried using it yet. Maybe I'll try that tomorrow and see if I have better results. If so, then I'll know it's the pump that's not working!
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@Adira: that's what I would do ! I love my manual but they aren't for everyone !
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@coacheswife123: @Mrs. High Heels: If you ladies pump after a feed, do you do it immediately after feeding, or wait? Maybe I'm trying to do it too soon? I try pumping immediately after nursing.
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@Adira: well I block feed. In the morning I pump the side he doesn't feed on. I don't pump on the side he nursed on. That pump session goes in he freezer. In the evenings I just pump the side that is up next when DH gives his bottle !
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You should definitely get more without bfing first. Probably 2 ounces more. In a way it's food not to have much after bfing because your supply is mat hung your lo. But if you want to increase supply, you need to increase the amount of time feeding (or pumping). It'll keep building/regulating for the first 3 months.
How long are you pumping for?
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If I pump right after I nurse I never get much. I try to wait at least an hour. In the early weeks DH would feed LO a bottle before she goes to sleep and I would pump then. That way I would have plenty of milk since I did not nurse. I started pumping in the mornings when LO started sleeping longer stretches and I would wake up engorged!
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@coacheswife123: Hmm... maybe I should try block feeding. I always offer the other breast when he falls off the first one at the moment.
@Mrs Green Grass: I pumped for 20 minutes this morning and only got half an ounce. It was depressing.
@Mrs. Chen: Hmmm... maybe I should try waiting an hour before pumping!
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@Adira: the only reason I block feed is because of my oversupply ! It helps him to get more hind milk instead of all fore milk !
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Okay, I just pumped with a manual pump about an hour after feeding him and I was able to get a full ounce (combined from both breasts)! Now I feel a little better that I'm able to get SOMETHING out.
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@Adira: good ! Try it the next few pumps. Sounds like your electric isn't pumping efficiently
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@Adira: if your manual is getting 1 oz out, I would think an electric could get more... maybe it's time for a new pump. can you get one through insurance?
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@coacheswife123: @Mrs. High Heels: It's possible my seal hasn't been good with the electric because I was trying to pump both sides st the same time and had to hold them awkwardly. When I used the manual, I used one hand to hold it to my boob and the other to pump. I'm going to try the electric again but only do one at a time and see if I have better luck. Otherwise I'll have to see if I can get a new one through my insurance. Thanks ladies!
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@Adira: good plan ! If the electric works with one hand you may just want to get a hands free pumping bra !
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@coacheswife123: Oh! Good idea! Can you suggest a good one?
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@Adira: no I need suggestions too haha !!! I haven't tried my double electric yet ! I will do a post!
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@coacheswife123: Haha, okay!
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@coacheswife123: @Adira: I have this handsfree bra, it's awesome! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004S8MGGQ/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1363610812&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
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@kiddosc: Thanks for the link!!
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36 comments