Breastfeeding - Boca Raton,FL

A baby's stomach is about the size of their fist. At 4 weeks old that's maybe about the size of a marble so it can't hold very much per feeding. A few ounces are really all they can take at a feeding.
A pump isn't as good at getting milk from the breast as a baby. How much you pump is no indicator of how much milk you are in fact making.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html This page at Kellymom has a lot of wonderful information about pumping moms, milk supply, how to tell if baby is getting enough etc. Kellymom is my favorite internet site for breastfeeding help!
Congratulations on your little one! You can do it!

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It sounds like you do not have a supply problem if your baby is feeding well and ending satisfied. Pumping is very different than nursing and unless you are lucky, you just can't get as much. I used Blessed Thistle and it increased my supply but I never could get more than 2 ounces at a time while pumping, so you are doing great! All babies are different, but most 1-2 month old babies will drink 4-6 ounces per feeding. I would check with your doctor though.

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Just so you know, drinking too much water can actually decrease your milk supply. You really don't need any more than 8 glasses a day...and let's put it this way. Two bottles of gatorade are 8 glasses of fluid...64 ounces. I fill two of these bottles up with water every day, and make sure I drink them. It's really not that much. Add to that a small cup of milk with supper (maybe 6 oz.) and a pop with lunch, sometimes a cup of decaf at night...and I'm way over what I need. Don't overdo the liquid.

Continue feeding on demand and pumping when you WOULD be feeding but aren't because you are at work. Your body is only going to make what your baby needs...not more.

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Another supplement you could take is Fenugreek.
Maybe someone else can chime in...but I think the dose my friend was advised to take (from a LC) was 4 capsules, 3 times a day.
You know your taking enough when you smell like a maple syrup factory.

9-11 oz. sounds great though! Sounds like you supply is doing fine.

FWIW, I remember leaving my baby (after she was 3 months) w/ 3-4 2 oz. bottles-I worked short days. I wouldn't put too much in each bottle-gets wasted.

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Mother's Milk Tea was magic for me. That really works wonders and it tastes great too!

Lactation cookies:

http://www.food.com/recipe/peanut-butter-lactation-cookie...

Also pump last thing at night (you wont get much but it put's in the order for your body to make more while you're sleeping) and first thing in the AM. And pump while your baby naps on your days off.

Also are you using the shields tha came with your pump? I had MUCH better luck with the SoftFit shields or the larger shields (both available at Target) why they don't make them large AND soft I don't know, I just switched back and forth every week or so...changing it up seemed to help...

I'd say about 3 ounces every 3-4 hours for the bottle - while at daycare. Nursing on demand while you are together.

Make sure the bottles have slow flow nipples which take some actual suction to get the milk out - much like the breast.

Fenugreek WITH Blessed Thistle is great to increase milk supply, as is a serving of beer a day, oatmeal every morning, and that's all I can think of.

Try to pump every 2.5-3 hours if you can!!

Taking herbs like Goat's Rue, Fenugreek, or Blessed Thistle can help. I have a wonderful certified lactation consultant working with me because my little one has had suck issues since birth so to insure that my milk is not compromised, I"m pumping after I nurse her and taking Goat's Rue. You are getting 9-11 oz a day...that is super! Honey, I can only pump 3 oz a day! You are doing great. Doesn't sound like supply is an issue at all. I was told that if you can pump 1-2 hours before you nurse the baby in the morning you can increase your milk even more...but you will need to keep up that kind of schedule if you can handle it. I am not pumping during the night, only pumping right after I nurse my baby. Also, frequent pumping for at least 10 minutes is better for increasing your milk rather than doing a couple of pumps for 20 minutes. In other words, concentrate on pumping more frequently rather than focusing on pumping for longer periods of time. Also, pump just before you go to bed. Good luck.

Good for you continuing to nurse!!! If you keep pumping and nursing at night, your supply should be fine, I found pumping that I'd get less milk than nursing but keep it up! the herbs suggested are a great idea. I would also suggest eating a lot of green leafy veggies. Think about it, cows eat grass all day long and they produce enough milk for their offspring (when the dairy industry doesn't steal it for humans that is...). Water is great and stay away from cow's dairy.
Keep up your amazing work!

Once in a great while drink a beer. Your milk production will soar! We all did it back in the day and it works. Our kids are in their 20's and 30's and they are FINE.

Hi A.,
At the time 2 years ago, I was advised the following:
1. At least one good hot meal a day -- chicken and rice and veggies or some such thing. balanced and tasty for you, good for your milk....

2. Old wives tale -- brewer's yeast.... (ask your dr).

3. Plenty of water.

4. Relax when breastfeeding and try to stay away from stressful situations.

Good Luck and Congratulations on the birth of your child.

Jilly

I drank Mother's Milk tea and noticed an increase in supply. You have to drink a lot of it though, like 3-4 cups a day. I liked it so I didn't mind.

You could also pump on the weekends (five or ten minutes right after each nursing session) to keep your body used to making a little more. If your body thinks there is an increased demand for milk, it will start to make more.

I would say though that you are prob. pumping enough for your baby as is. Make 4 oz. bottles but ask your caregiver how much your baby is actually drinking each feeding. You may be able to decrease the amount in each bottle.

My son drank very small bottles at daycare and nursed like a maniac in the evenings.