supply at 14 months

[bedeilly]

Hi Ladies - Just checking in to see how many women continue(d) to pump after a year, and how much you were able to get out of the pump. I nurse DS at bedtime, maybe once more during the night (not always) and in the am when we get up. Then I try to pump twice while at work, and can only get about 5 to 5 1/2 ounces over these two pumping sessions. I wish it were more because I like to send milk to daycare, and I know DS is plowing through this - and also drinks cow's milk. As usual, I just want to make sure what I'm doing is "normal." Also, separate issue - my left breast produces the majority of my milk. For example, my morning pumo this morning generated 2 1/2 ounces from left, barely 1/2 ounce from right. I know it's typical to have one breast produce much more than the other, but is it ok for the difference to be this pronounced? We got off to a rough start. I pumped exclusively for 8 wks, then began to wean, then had a change of hard and worked to re-establish supply thru pumping/nursing every 2-3 hours, Fenugreek, blessed thistle, etc. Sorry for the long post!! I always have so many questions.

[whitnessforhim]

I am still puming. DD will be 14mo. next Monday. Honestly, I don't think the amt I pump is a normal amt. only because DD still nurses almost every 2-3hrs at night. She is a complete reverse cycler and I believe this is why I am able to pump so much at work during the day. A month ago I was getting 12-15oz pumping 3x a day but just recently cut down to pumping twice a day and get around 9-10oz. DD only consumes 6-8oz a day, hence the reason for cutting out a pumping session.

I will say this though...when DD was younger and consumed a lot more milk I had to pump 3x a day to keep up with her demands. Could you add a puming session maybe? Otherwise I don't think its so bad that he's getting some cow's milk. He's still getting momma's milk!

I wouldn't worry at all about the amt difference in each breast. I think even this big of difference is normal.

I exclusively pumped for 4mo. I know how hard that truly is!! What an amazing thing you've done to provide your LO with mommas milk for so long!

[Nipple_nectar]

I always had way more of a yield from my right than from my left. Have you tried angled horns? I think they increased my yield:) www.pumpinpal.com

[bedeilly]

Good to know I'm not alone, and thanks for the suggestion on angled horns. I'm not sure I want to be buying more stuff at this point, since DS is now 14 months old, but perhaps I'll give it a try. I tend to get more out of each breast when I compress as I pump, and then the right breast (the one with much lower yield) always generates more after I pump and hand compress. Our bodies sure are amazing, but not perfect my any means. Thanks again! p.s. How long did/do you continue to pump after one year? I'm always curious to hear how other moms approached this, given that so many pump wean by one year. Just not ready!