Is my pumping limiting the milk my baby gets?

[lkmiscnet]

I have a 5 mo old. I have been pumping 12 oz a day to freeze, as I need to wean my son at 7 mo old and hope to have at least another 4-5 mo of frozen BM for him.

I try to pump about 1- 1.5 hrs after I nurse. I try to nurse him every 2.5 -3 hrs.

When I pump, I have noticed that I only get about 1 oz per side. I worry that when my son nurses about 1 hr to 1.5 hrs after I pump, that he is not getting enough due to my pumping. I have read that it takes about an hour for your milk to replenish.

He just had a ped appt and my son is in the 90th percentile for height, but only the 3rd percentile for weight. He may be just a tall, skinny boy, like his dad was. However, I keep wondering if he is getting enough milk to help him grow.

He does have about 6 wet diapers a day. He still wakes up every 2 hrs at night to nurse.

Also, in looking at the milk I bag, there is only a very thin layer of fat and I wonder if I have enough fat in my hindmilk.

Linda

[GoGoGirl]

When you breastfeed after you pump, do you feel a letdown? Does your son swallow? I pump to donate--of course I try to time it right, but sometimes DD needs to breastfeed RIGHT after I pump. Even if I pump until no more milk comes out, there is still milk for DD. I feel another letdown, and I can hear her swallowing. Babies are more efficient than pumps at getting milk out.

But I'm not a lactation consultant or anything--that's just my personal experience.

[kriket]

You could always try to pump the side you don't feed. I don't think this would be a long term problem. You body will get the memo to make more milk.

and about the creamyness. Whats the temperature like where you are? When it got cold here my milk became half and half

[Blessed_Mom]

This is by no means scientific but let me share what worked to make more fat in my hindmilk.

I eat a fish fillet everyday (mostly Tilapia , sometimes Salmon)
I eat about 20-30 almonds everyday
I try to eat avocados
I eat oatmeal+raisin+coconut cookies
I should add flaxseed oil to my diet and take a fish oil tablet (but keep forgetting)
Before I realized my DD has dairy allergy I used to drink 2 tall glasses of whole-fat milk and eat lots of ice-cream.

I do believe that that made my hindmilk fattier.

[lkmiscnet]

The fat that sits on top of the freezer bag is only about 1/16th to 1/8" thick. A very thin layer out of 12 oz.

I take two fish oil capsules a day. I eat a handful of walnuts, several tablespoons of freshly ground almond butter, use 1 heaping Tbl of ground flax seed in my oatmeal each morning. I also have several squares of 77% dark chocolate (for the antioxidants, of course, but it still has fat )

So, I should be getting plenty of good fats daily. The fat layer just seems so thin. Also, when I pump, I always compress my breasts to get out every last bit of milk that I can until they are empty.

Linda

[Megan73]

I'm so sorry you have to wean before you're ready
The questions I'd ask are: Is your doctor concerned? Has your baby stayed steady or recently dropped percentiles? Is he gaining 4-5 ounces a week, which is average for BF babies of his age? Does he seem unsatisfied since you started pumping?
According to Kellymom.com, the amount of fat and calories in BM varies but research shows mom's diet does NOT affect the average amount of fat or calories in her milk.
Here's the link: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mi...t.html#changes
I'd ask a LC or LLL leader for advice because it seems like you need to make maximum milk in minimum time – while feeding your LO right now.
Good luck, mama.

[bandgeek]

My BM always only had a very thin layer of fat on top but I grew two very fat babies! I think it depends more on the baby. It's very, very rare for BM to be nutritionally insufficient.

Does he act hungry? Irritable? Frustrated? If not, I'd say he's probably satisfied, just thin. If he is, I'd put him to the breast more, but continue pumping. Your supply will adjust to meet his needs.

[lkmiscnet]

He's gaining 1 pound a month and does appear satisfied after nursing, so I guess he's just going to be a skinny, tall boy. No problem with that!

Thanks everyone.

Linda

[Equuskia]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom

This is by no means scientific but let me share what worked to make more fat in my hindmilk.

I eat a fish fillet everyday (mostly Tilapia , sometimes Salmon)
I eat about 20-30 almonds everyday
I try to eat avocados
I eat oatmeal+raisin+coconut cookies
I should add flaxseed oil to my diet and take a fish oil tablet (but keep forgetting)
Before I realized my DD has dairy allergy I used to drink 2 tall glasses of whole-fat milk and eat lots of ice-cream.

I do believe that that made my hindmilk fattier.

I think your recommendations are fantastic! The only thing I would change though, is the tilapia. Unfortunately, most tilapia is farm-raised, and as a result, have a bad omega 3 to omega 6 ratio. Which is a crying shame, because it's a very easy fish to prepare, and its flavor is easy to mask with tomatoes or soused.

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by Equuskia

I think your recommendations are fantastic! The only thing I would change though, is the tilapia. Unfortunately, most tilapia is farm-raised, and as a result, have a bad omega 3 to omega 6 ratio. Which is a crying shame, because it's a very easy fish to prepare, and its flavor is easy to mask with tomatoes or soused.

Oh Is that a harmful thing or an undesirable thing? Reason I ask is... I don't like the strong flavors of most fish and have to force myself to eat Salmon. As you mentioned, Tilapia ia milder and the only fish I really like. Bummer.