How often do you pump?

[jvigil03]

I have a 9month old who is doing excellent and gaining weight just fine on her curve. I pump before I go to work and twice during the day and only bring up 7-8 oz sometimes I only pump the two times at work and I still get the same amount. Of course, we have to supplement with fourmula as she needs more than 8 oz to get her through the day. My question isn't about supply it is more of a question of when do you go down to one pump a day. I have already faced the fact that I will never pump more than 10 oz a day, despite taking fenugreek and eating oatmeal daily. I guess I just hate pumping, but I still want to nurse and I want there to be enough milk on the weekends when we are together all day and don't use bottles. Do you have any advice or suggestions that have worked?

[whitnessforhim]

You know Fenugreek never worked for me either. What really worked for me was pumping after DD nursed. I did this one long weekend and it was just enough to boost my supply.

Up until DD was 14mo. I pumped 3x a day at work, essentially every 3hrs. I was brining home anywhere from 10-12oz with the 3 sessions. Now that I pump twice a day I bring around 6-8oz home, which sounds about what you get by pumping twice.

Do you supplement on the weekends too when you are home? Some women just don't respond all that well to the pump and just because you can't pump a whole lotta milk doesn't mean your baby isn't getting exactly what she needs on the weekend when she nurses. Pumping should never be used as an indication of your supply. What you can pump only tells you what you can pump. Babies are much more efficient then a pump is of getting milk out!

I will add though that I would continue to pump as much as you are pumping (maybe even adding one session if you really want a boost in your supply, but not decreasing) if you want to continue to keep your supply where it is. I hope this has helped.

[jvigil03]

Thanks for the advice. We never supplement on the weekends. I love her having my milk at home when I'm not there, but lately I've been so busy with work it is hard to pump more than two times. I am looking forward to the time when I only have to pump once or when I hang up the horns altogether!

[Maret00]

I was lucky to get 6oz a day so you are doing better then me. But I would keep up the 2 pump sessions for awhile just to be on the safe side. But if you nurse on demand at home it shouldnt be an issue you baby is better at getting the milk then the pump. My son will still refuse food when I am home and he is 18 mo. I would maybe reduce a day or 2 during the week I only worked part time so I could be home with my son every few days that helped with keeping up supply. But other wise keep up the good work!