how important is water?

[neonalee]

I ask because I've been pretty lax the last week or so (maybe more?) about getting enough fluid. I've also returned to work as of 10/1. Today I barely pumped 10 oz for a whole workday and it took effort. Usually I'm easily over that amount. Is it because I haven't been drinking enough water? Or could it be because DS seems to be feeding constantly the last few days? He's nearly 12 weeks. I know the return to work can be an influence as well, but this seems to be in just the last week or less that it's getting difficult. I really liked easily pumping 16 oz a day (2 oz when I first wake up)!

[kanga1622]

Personally I can always tell days where I got less than 80 ounces of water the day before. Those days are much harder to pump and it takes effort to get enough to send to daycare the next day. I tend to get more like 10 ounces in my 4 pumping sessions.

If I drink at least 80 ounces of water the day before I can easily get 12-15 ounces.

I've also noticed the last few times that I've given up and brought DS into bed with us that my milk flows much better the next day and I often pump a ton at my first session. Usually a good session for me is 3.5 ounces total but the last two days I've gotten 5 ounces from each of my first morning sessions. I thought it would be the opposite since he basically stays latched on and nurses all night (teething pain).

[neonalee]

Thank you! Your reply made me feel better last night I did drink a lot more water later afternoon and evening yesterday and today I've already pumped around 6 oz or a little more, double what I had at this time yesterday. And I have a big bottle of water on my desk in front of me

[JudiAU]

It makes a huge difference in my ability to pump. Remember the old rule about an eight ounce glass every time you sit down to nurse? I find I need about twice that to pump.

[JessicaS]

Plenty of water is very important. ITA that I had to drink more water pumping than just nursing.

[KLM99]

Agreed - I can totally tell how much water I've been drinking (or not) by how much I can pump. Incidentally, I can also tell how much I've been eating, so make sure you're getting enough calories too. If I have a day where I don't eat much for whatever reason, the next day's pumping sessions are not great.

[neonalee]

Oh, I didn't even think about eating! DP has been traveling a lot lately and I always end up dropping my personal routines in order to get everything done for DS. I'll have to consider eating more something for him, not me