Breast feeding and pumping question?

Question

i have an avent double electric pump. i nurse my daughter for the majority of the day, but she tends to fuss more at the breast at night, so i've been expressing and bottle feeding her ebm in the evenings/night. i notice when i pump though, that my right breast only gives about 2-2.5 oz, and the left gives 4oz or so. i know that my daughter favours the left side, and that it would naturally produce more, but is this much difference normal? is there a way i could easily bring up the production of the low-producing breast? should i just pump that one more often? my daughter, who is 11 weeks already feeds every 2 hours.

Answer 1

Yes, it's normal to get different amounts.  But really try to alternate which side your feed on each time.  And you might want to try pumping that side a little first, then get her to latch and see if that helps.   You also might want to try a different position on that side.  And yes, you can pump more to bring up the production.  And don't forget to make sure you're eating enough!  Extra calories are important.  You can drink water until you float away and it won't dramatically increase your production. And starting a bedtime bottle as part of her routine will be a blessing when you're trying to wean her in a year or so. Good luck!

Answer 2

In the past my children have always favored one side over the other--I think it just may not produce as much in general since they always seem to favor the same side (I've had four).  When I pumped, one side did produce more.  I actually wound up after a while starting them always on the less-preferred side (I know that's not what's recommended) just so my b*****s weren't lopsided in size.  It worked for me, and they all nursed until about 1 year old.  Good luck to you.  

Answer 3

yes this is natural, they wont always pump the same amount, different amounts is normal especially when the child favors one side over the other. try and make them feed off the side they dont favor