Question for Pumping Moms

I can't remember how normal it was. But.... When I did notice that my milk looked a little less fatty, I had a small cup of ice cream after dinner. I noticed a little bit more the next day. I don't know if it really had something to do with it, but I did notice a change.

I also nursed a baby who was very small - almost off the chart because she was so small. My doctor told me not to worry that the baby was a healthy weight and height. She also said that society is used to chubby babies being viewed as the picture of health and so when they see a less than chubby baby they think this is unusual and not healthy but that this is not the case. The opposite holds true.
My daughter is now almost 9 years old and very healthy.

Hi R.;
Totally normal. Breastmilk is expressed in three different stages: the foremilk is the more watery, thirst-quenching portion,then the bulk of the milk that follows is richer and higher in calories, finally, the hindmilk is the rich fat-laden stuff. If baby were getting the milk straight from the breast, this is the order he/she would receive it. However, as you've found out, it tends to settle while in a bottle. My lacataion consultant told me that new studies are showing that breastmilk can also vary in calories and fat content throughout the day. Morning milk can have as little as 16 calories/ounce, while evening milk can have as much as 34 calories/ounce, with an average of 20 calories/ounce. How your baby uses the milk will also depend on the age of the child. Newborns will not use the milk as efficiently as older babies.
Good luck, and keep up the good work!

That seems about right. I don't remember the exact amount (since I'm not pumping currently) but it wasn't too much at the top. You should be fine!! :) Keep up the good work!

Hi, R.,

I'm not an expert on fat content in human milk, but based on what I've seen in my own milk, what you describe does not sound alarming. At times, my two sons have been too light to even get on the weight chart. (My husband and I are of approx. average height. I have a medium-slim build, and my husband has an average build.) Now 2 1/2 and 1 1/2, both of my kids seem energetic and healthy and their pediatrician thinks that they're fine.

Sincerely,
Lynne E

Hi! That is about the same ratio for me and it is pretty consistent no matter what I eat except the color may change depending on my diet. If you are concerned about the percentiles you can talk to your Dr about supplementing once a day with formula while you pump. Remember Breast is Best. But we supplemented on Drs suggestion for my second son becuase he just starving and I was feeding constantly! At 4.5 months I am still breastfeeding and I supplement with forumla with cereal for the nighttime feeding. Also remember those precentiles are built up around forumla fed babies and breastfed babies usually come in lower because they get just what they need and not too much. Good luck and know you are doing a great job with your breastfeeding and every baby is different. :)

I think that's normal and you shouldn't worry--your baby is getting a perfect drink from you. :)

Rebeka,

It really varies but you can increase the fat in your milk by increasing the omega 3 fatty acids in your diet. Dieting can effect the quality of your milk. But assuming you are eating enough and getting adequate nutrition, your body is likely producing exactly what your baby needs.

That said, when you are pumping, are you pumping until your breasts are completely empty and then pumping some more? The first milk that comes out is called "foremilk" and isn't fatty. The milk that comes later is called "hindmilk" and contains most of the fat. I double pumped with a Medela Pump in Style Advanced (get a hands free pumping system like an Easy Expressions Bustier or Halter off ebay!) for at least a half hour and I'd typically get 2-3 ledowns of milk (where the milk starts spraying) during that time. If you aren't pumping enough, your milk could very well be "low fat." If your baby has bright green poop and is gassy, that is also a sign that they are getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk.

As far as baby size, some babies are just small. My first son has consistently been below the 5th percentile for height and weight but he has grown on a consistent curve so my pediatrician is not concerned. My second son has been around the 25th percentile all of his life and today (he's 2.5) he was in the 95th percentile for height and the 50th for weight (so he's really grown in the past few months). Your doctor will be more concerned with your baby's growth in general than in the comparison with other babies.

Good luck and happy pumping,
T.

P.S. My favorite breastfeeding resource is www.kellymom.com You can find just about every topic you are interested in there and the info is really good.

You produce what your baby needs. It also changes as they get older... sometimes you see it more when you freeze it.

that sounds about right, though everyone is different. Keep in mind as well that the baby is more efficient than a pump, when baby eats (as long as he/she nurses long enough) baby will get the fat/nutrients he/she needs. My baby girl was in the 5th percentile when born -- now she's in 75th height and 25% weight. Just make sure you're not limiting her nursing and let her nurse long enough. Best of luck!

Try to pick up Gina Ford's "The Contented Baby" book - you can get it on Half.com. She has a fabulous pumping routine in there that helps your baby get to the fattier hind milk instead of filling up on the foremilk which comes first. We utilized her methods with great success for our little guy, plus I ended up with a very good store of milk for when I couldn't be there for a feeding when he got a bit older and would take a bottle. Congrats on your new baby! Its great that you're breastfeeding!! :)

It could also depend on what time of day you are pumping or if nursed first before you pumped. So if you nursed first then pumped you might have less fat if the baby got it. Also if you don't pump for a long enough time that might be a reason. Your fat comes in at the end. Hope this doesn't sound confusing. Don't worry though....... your breast feeding, how awesome is that! Congratualtions, and happy pumping.

Well, that'd depend on several factors. Are you pumping before a feeding, after a feeding, or between feeding? Because if you have a combo of foremilk and hindmilk, you'll have less fat in there. How long has it been left to sit and separate? The longer it's left, the more fat will float to the top. Sometimes it takes a couple days to totally separate. The other big factor that comes to mind is how old is your little one? Because your milk will get richer as your baby ages. Breast-fed babies don't really drink more ounces as they get older as formula-fed babies do, but the milk itself changes to meet their nutritional needs.

What you described sounds about where my milk was when my son was 4-6 weeks. As long as he's gaining weight steadily, I really wouldn't worry.

Your milk is perfect! You don't have anything to worry about!

In addition to all the other good comments, please note that the initially-pumped milk is less fatty than milk that comes later in pumping. So, you may just want to compare by pumping for a slightly longer period than usual and checking if there's a greater percentage of fat in that pumped milk. Obviously (or at least most likely), you will get more milk from pumping a bit longer, but the ratio of fat to overall liquid should also be greater.

Sounds about right. It's the "cream" of the milk. Both my toddler and current 2-month old are in even lower weight percentiles than yours. My toddler breastfed for 10 months. She seems to be in good mental and physical health. I think everything sounds normal. Best with everything!

R., just remember that breast milk is THE milk for baby. Anything else is just a "formula", that scientist use to mimick or replicate breast milk. Breast milk has the building blocks for growth, which is not fat. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and immunizing factors that keep your baby healthy and smart. I have two "Titty Babies" and I can count on 1 hand the amount of times they have both been sick or needed the doctor. One is 11 and the other is 5. Breast milk is also cost effective, cause you save on milk AND doctor bills and over the counter cold medicine in the long run. So, keep pumpin' girl!

that seems right. do not worry! you'll drive your self nuts.

I have been pumping since my son was about 1 month old and I went back to work. I produce about the same amount of fat ratio, and that is with taking all of the 12 vitamins I do daily! my son is a big boy, with plenty of fat on him. he is very active, and well adjusted.
I think you are fine. if she starts eating regular food, and then stays on the smaller side, then you may have cause for concern

The stuff you are calling water at the bottom of the fatty part of your milk is full of nutrients for your baby. The fat ratio sounds about right. Don't worry about growth charts. Babies grow at different rates. Just enjoy your baby. Good luck!

Dear R.:
You are the best mom for your baby, and your milk is the best food. That said, there is so much to learn about human milk and how it works. What previous posters said about milk's fat content varying is true, but it can vary during the course of a feeding! And it does change in relation to the baby's suck and length of time at one breast (that's why the most current into is not to switch breasts but to stick with one per feeding, so baby gets foremilk AND hindmilk). But pumping is way less efficient than a baby, so don't be alarmed by what you see in the bottle. Also, unless you have the fat content measured by a lab, that 1/8th of an inch may be only reflecting what separates, and not the actual content.
As to baby's percentiles, as long as he/she is growing steadily, making wet and poopy diapers very regularly, and has pink skin (don't know how else to describe baby skin that's not dehydrated) that snaps back when pinched (GENTLY!), your baby is growing. At his/her own pace. I have four kids, including twins, all exclusively breastfed. The porker is 11 and could still use a booster seat by weight, and the teensiest (under 5th percentile) one is pretty thick, now. The twins are sturdy toddlers who seemingly eat nothing.
If you have any questions, email me, or call me at One Hot Mama in Studio City -- where I live these days since my hubby and I opened a store. What were we thinking? ;)