Is this amount of breast milk output normal?

Question

New mom--my baby is 5 days old and milk came is somewhere around day 3. I just started pumping today with Evenflo Comfort Select automatic breast pump and for pumping each side 15 minutes I got around 1 1/2 oz of milk. It looks like so little. Is it a good amount for one feeding?

Answer 1

I didnt do well with a pump either.  I could never get enough out!  So when I do have to pump, i pump manually with my hand, it is way fater and you get way more milk.  It could also be that your b*****s are too engorged to pump which is another problem I had, If they are then it is eadier to take a warm shower first because it will make your b***s a little less hard and then it is way easier to pump.  if you cant shower then just squish them a little bit and it helps a lot!!!!  When my baby was first born he could easily eat a 5 oz bottle so I dont think that you are getting enough milk.

Answer 2

The amount that you pump is not necessarily an indicator of how much milk you are actually producing.  An ounce and a half is an excellent output for one session.  Some women get just a few drops, or nothing at all.  Others can pump tons.  It just depends on your body and how well it responds to the pump.  

kellymom.com is an excellent source for all breastfeeding related information.  Here is a link to some pumping info: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumpi...

Basically, you're doing great and having a lot better results than many women have with a pump!  

You can also try breast compressions (pressing on and massaging your breast) while pumping, to help you get more milk.  I find a spot and apply pressure until I see the milk flow slow/stop, then I press on a new spot and repeat, so on.  You can also pump for a little while after the milk stops flowing to see if you get a 2nd let down.  There are many times that I feel "empty" then bam, another letdown with a good ammount of milk!

Is there a particular reason you are pumping, or is it just to have some extra milk on hand?  

Be sure to avoid giving your baby a bottle until about 6 weeks.  This gives baby and you time to get used to nursing, and will help baby avoid nipple confusion.  They can also become spoiled by the easier flow of a bottle, and refuse to do the work required to breastfeed.  Some babies can go back and forth with no problem, and others will refuse the breast after being introduced to a bottle.  Be careful, and feed your baby straight from the breast as much as possible to avoid problems.  If you have ANY problems with supply, latch, nipple confusion, pumping, pain, ANYTHING, contact La Leche League for some free and knowlegable help.  You can get help online, or find your local LLL: http://www.llli.org/resources.html?m=0

Best of luck!

-Experienced breastfeeder and breastmilk donor.  PS: I have the same pump!  ;-P