why dont i spray?

[mamamoogs]

I keep reading about how people milk spray from time to time when dc comes off the breast but it doesnt seem to me that my milk sprays i know DD is getting enough at her 2 week visit (newborn) she gained all her weight back but i never seem to pump more then 15 cc on my left breast and 1 1/2 oz of milk on my right breast now i have been told that doesnt mean that is all DD is sucking out but it makes me wonder, what do you think she i be spraying by now DD is three weeks old what gives.

[angelachristin]

I never had any milk spray anywhere at any time and I've been nursing DS for 7 months now. And judging by the fact that he was 7lbs at birth and is now tipping the scales at 20 lbs, I think he's getting more than enough milkies!

[Janette712]

My left side tends to spray more than the right. Its usually only if they're pretty full. Although sometimes things get a little wild just because. I wouldn't worry about it if you aren't. As long as the baby is gaining well and making dirty diapers

[quirkylayne]

I don't spray, never have. One time I kind of splurted after a shower when I hadn't nursed in awhile and accidently rubbed against the shower wall. No let down, no leaking, nothing. DS was 17 lbs at 3 months, and EBF until 6 months. Still nursing at 13 months. No problem!

[AutumnMama]

The only times I've sprayed is when I am MEGA engorged at the beginning, and the babe unlatches when my milk is 'letting down'.

[Nitenites]

I've been nursing (different children, see sig) for 7 years. I have never, ever sprayed, and I've only felt my letdown once. If I leak, it's because I'm overfull and feeding off the opposite side. (Like early in the morning, if I'm nursing from my right side, and my left side is full, then I may leak a bit from my left side. And that's only in the newborn/infant phase.)

But to reassure you, I was never a "good pumper" either. On days that I was away from my infant (working outside the home) I would pump every 2 1/2 hours. On a hospital grade pump, I could get 4.5 ounces, total, if I was lucky. However, all my kids were big for their ages (height & weight), and perfect in every other way, too. : I never had to supplement.

Sounds like your body just knows what it's doing. Trust it!

[Lady Madonna]

As long as your babe is gaining and growing, I'd say count your blessings - I spray and it is a major pain sometimes! There's a spot on the couch where the leather arm is stained because when I nurse sitting there and my nursling pops off, the milk blasts the couch before I can stop it! I spray, leak, drip and should buy stock in Lansinoh, because their disposible nursing pads are the only things that have saved me from walking around in perpetually breastmilk-soaked clothes.

And while I swear I could breastfeed four hungry kids, my pumping production is *never* up to that level. I think focusing on what we can get with a pump can be really discouraging. Wet and poopy diapers and satisfied babes are a much better indication!

[melissakc]

I never sprayed either. I BF to 16 months and never once shot her in the eye. I was so grateful too when I heard that my friends had to wear nursing pads all the time and I never did. It's much easier without!

I was worried about pumping enough too, but I got a lot more as time went on, so maybe that will happen to you too. I remember when I pumped 100ml one time. I was so incredibly happy and proud of myself! But still, like PPs said, if you don't pump that much it doesn't mean the baby isn't getting it.

Good luck! I hope BF goes great for you!

[Caneel]

I never sprayed and I also never leaked after the first couple days.

I pumped for several months when I went back to work and my right breast consistantly produced 1 oz more than my left.

[arlecchina]

I didnt spray with either of mine...unless I am deliberately squeezing and trying

[Khourtniey]

I spray when I am really full and have let-down or really engorged...

[_betsy_]

My DD is 9.5 months and I have never once sprayed when she pulls off. She's totally healthy, huge, and 90% BFed now.

I have plenty of milk, it just isn't messy.

Remember, that pumping isn't the same as baby suckling - baby can get much more than the pump can, and you let down much easier/more strongly for the baby than for the pump.

At 2 weeks old, unless you really have to for some reason, I'd hold off on pumping. You may well end up with oversupply if you pump too much now - and that can be really hard on baby. Hold off a couple more weeks, and when you do start pumping again, think of it as practice - getting to know your pump - it'll take a lot of pressure off you. Check out www.kellymom.com for great pumping tips, too!

I am also back to work and pumping 3-4 times a day, and my right side always - I mean ALWAYS - produces more than the left.