I need your help...breastfeeding/pumping problem

Since my baby is in the NICU, I rented a hospital grade pump. I try to pump every 2 to 3 hours as suggested. However, my right breast seems to be doing all the work! If I get 60 ml of milk, around 40 ml of that is from the right side and only 20 ml is from the left side. Is this normal? The milk in my left side flows good for the first few minutes and then stops...! I have tried massages, hot compresses, and anything else I can think of! Is it normal for one side to produce more??? Thanks for the help!

[mum2beagain]

Yes this is normal, it may even out eventually or you may always have one side that produced more. How long are you pumping for? I would suggest pumping until the milk flow has stopped and then another 5 minutes after, the stimulation will encourage your breasts to produce more milk. Hope baby is doing well.Best wishes.

[filbert143]

It also sometimes helps to alternate breasts, similar to when you're breastfeeding.  Pump 10 min on one side, 10 min on the other.  Then go back and do the first for another 5 min and the next for another 5 min.  Again, you might not get anything the second time around, but it will stimulate you to produce more.

[AnnieBrooke]

It's totally normal.  My left side has always produced less than my right side, but it is also the most reliable side to have something (sometimes the right side has a blocked duct for a little while).  Not to worry.

[Me2mommy2b]

Yes, it's normal.  One of my breasts always produced more milk than the other.  Good luck pumping.