Seeking Breastfeeding Help - Lubbock,TX

Don't look at the amount she is taking in... Look at the amount she is putting out and on.

As long as she is gaining weight (should be checked at well child visits...), AND regularly putting out wet and dirty diapers, she is getting enough. She should have *at least* 4-5 WET (really wet) diapers daily... Dirty diapers vary a lot with breast fed babies, so poop really isn't much of an indicator.

Remember, babies are much more efficient than pumps... She very well could be getting a lot of milk when you put her to breast, and the pumped milk just tides her over until you get home. (Although, 12oz really isn't much...)

You might try a different pump, or massaging your breasts while pumping to help squeeze more out. I had one pump that barely worked. When I switched to a manual hand pump, I got twice as much.

If it would make you feel better, you can attempt to increase your supply a bit with fenugreek capsules (main ingredient in Mothers Milk Tea, if you like tea...) you can also pump after each regular feeding session when you are home, along with before going to work and when you get home.

Babies eat what they need and if they don't get enough they cry, a lot! If your sitter isn't asking you for more breast milk then the baby is getting enough.

I agree with all of the feedback. I understand you I was the same way with my first one. And I think was because I had my Mom (who was my babysitter) nagging that the baby was not eating enough and that sort of traumatized me. Then I made up my mind that I was going to succeed on this (because women for century have done it!!). So, after going to a few La Leche League meetings I was more confident (and also my mom) that is normal...the baby is eating enough. Our grandmas thought that a baby in order to be "healthy" has to be chubby and that is why they keep feeding the baby. If the baby looks healthy and not underweight is fine! It mighty be that he is skinny composition. I recommend to shut down all those negative feedback and focus ... You can do it! Keep up the good work! When I was pumping I was also getting 2oz in the begging ... Your body will adjust don't worry! Also, I recommend this website: http://www.kellymom.com. It helped me a lot!!!

Hi, S.,

Deep breath. Your stress can negatively affect your production. If your baby is happy for the sitter and is showing appropriate signs of growth (as other moms have mentioned), then she is getting enough! :)

I have successfully BF 2 babies for about 12-13 months each. Getting ready to have baby #3, so I am gearing up to try this again! I understand how stressful it can be to pump at work and to constantly worry that you're not going to have enough milk for your baby. Here are some things you might consider:

First of all, I would not pump every 2 hours at work. Make sure you're getting plenty of fluids, and maybe stretch it to more like every 3 hours.

Second of all, when you're not at work, nurse the baby. It's not always possible, but try to avoid bottle feedings outside of the 8 hour workday. Your baby will help stimulate your milk production better than even the best pump. Plus, she'll get the extra milk that she needs.

Third of all, watch the time of day! Most women produce more milk in the morning, and less milk in the late afternoon. This was definitely the case for me. It made a HUGE difference for me when I started pumping on one side and nursing on the other side at the same time for the FIRST feeding of the day. It was a little challenging at first, but I found that the extra milk I had for that first feeding was plenty to feed baby on one side, AND I would usually be able to pump 5-6 ounces of milk from the other side with just that one feeding. The trick was that with the baby nursing on the other side, the milk would flow (and flow!). As previously mentioned by others, the pump is never as efficient as your baby. Oh, and I should add that I figured this out at a time when I, too, was pumping several times a day at work. I, too, was getting frustrated that I couldn't hardly get any milk during these pumping sessions. I would be lucky to get 4-6 ounces total during the full day's worth of pumping sessions at work. WOW, did it make a huge difference knowing that I was already able to store 5-6 ounces at the beginning of the day with that first feeding, and I didn't feel such huge pressure to produce during the rest of the day. Oh, and on my days off, I could still do that morning pump session while nursing, which would allow me to store up a little extra for the upcoming work week.

As far as the amount of milk needed, every baby is different. At about the 6 month mark, each of my babies were eating between 6-8 ounces of breast milk every 3 hours at the babysitter's. So with 5-6 ounces pumped during the morning sessions on the weekends to use for the upcoming week and a goal of 12-16 ounces pumped per day, things were fine. I didn't have to supplement at all.

The fenugreek tablets are also something that I used at one point. They DO help to increase your milk production. They're easy to get and won't harm the baby. They will make your sweat smell like maple syrup, though! :)

Good luck, and remember that every little bit counts. You are a good momma no matter what. Remove some of that pressure from yourself, and you'll feel a lot better!

S., I am a childcare provider and I've cared for a lot of breastfed babies. I have found that Mother Nature is really amazing, most of the time baby ate and was completely satisfied by whatever amount Mom pumped the day before. You'd know it (and so would your provider) if baby wasn't getting enough, she'd be letting you both know!!! Even if you are not pumping quite enough and need to supplement with a little formula now and then you are still giving your daughter a great start.

Relax, you're doing great :).

M.

(On average for a baby in my care from 7:30am to 5:00pm a 4 month old would probably take between 10 and 12 ounces.)

During a total day, that's how it's measured. Not how many ounces at the babysitter uses. Your little one is doing okay if you're feeding the baby several times per day yourself. That amount of ounces might be double for the entire day.

http://motherhood.modernmom.com/many-ounces-formula-shoul...

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-how-much-formula-...

This one is pretty easy to understand too.

A 4 month old baby should be taking 4-6 oz., every 3-4 hours; about 6 times a day (24-32 oz.), per DAY!

The 12 ounces you've sending is enough if this chart is correct and she's not there for 12 hours or more.

http://www.babble.com/baby/babble-baby-feeding-chart/

I worried too but taking the baby into a lacation consultant at our hospital was free and gave me lots of peace of mind.

When babies get a little older, they extract the milk more effectively. I used to think mine was not getting enough because she would only nurse for five to ten minutes. Are you just pumping or both? Make sure you are getting enough calories, or use a supplement called More Milk Plus, or Fenugreek capsules. I always drink water, for I am always thirsty, I have to hydrate/feed my baby and keep my body hydrated.
My sister was having issues too, and did not think she was making enough milk as well, so she gave him formula. Her supply decreased. I urged her to start easing up on formula and so far, it's about 80% breastmilk where it was half. I am not seeing that you gave your baby formula, but just in case you want to, it will make your supply drop.
I hope you found answers from all of us moms here, blessings, momma!

I don't think she's getting enough. You can try to increase your supply. How long are you pumping for? The goal is 20 mins each time. Also eat oatmeal, drink Mother's Milk tea and take fenugreek tablets. You may also need to supplement with formula. That's okay! Any amount of your milk she can get is better than nothing!

Mine is three months and will take 4-5 oz. of formula a feeding. I've only ever made just enough milk. I'm not an overproducer, but last time I pumped after skipping two feeding, I pumped 6 oz.
I'm fairly certain 2 oz. a feeding is not enough at this age.
Is your baby sitter or you supplementing with formula? Are you exclusively bf? If you are exclusively bf, and your baby is gaining weight at roughly .75 oz/ day and can make it 2-3 hours between feedings, its enough milk.
If you have been supplementing a lot, chances are your milk supply has dwindled.

It is very common to not be able to pump much. As long as she is not crying for the babysitter, indicating she is hungry, you don't need to worry. She will make up for any needed extra calories when she is with you. Babies are much more efficient than any pump.

Signs she isn't getting enough include few wet diapers, crying after a feeding, not gaining weight, and lethargy. If she appears happy, she is doing fine.

Continue to pump frequently to stimulate your breasts. You could also try pumping on one side a couple times a day while you nurse her on the other or pumping for a few minutes after she finishes nursing. The first feeding of the day tends to be the easiest to pump extra. That might help give you a few more ounces each day in case she needs more.