breastfeeding

I had a baby 6 weeks ago and have been breastfeeding and pumping since I had him; however I don't feel that I am producing enough milk.  He is taking 5 ounces and when I pump both breasts I can only get a 4 ounce bottle and I struggle to get that, it takes over an hour.  Also, when I am finished my right breast still feels like it is full yet nothing is coming out.  Anyone know what the reason for this could be?

Also, I received a period on Saturday, 3 days shy of 6 weeks and I thought when you are breastfeeding that you don't get a period?

[apple_blossom]

From what I've read, making sure you're letting down BEFORE you pump is important, so make sure you're relaxed enough, or you'll just get what's left over in the pipes.
Also, the pump may be okay, but if the sucker part isn't big enough, you might not get much milk.
Also, do you alternate which breast you feed from first?
I'd call a lactation consultant to get to the bottom of things from the start.

[sheddybear]

I agree with the other posters.  Wow, 5 oz. at 6 weeks!  Isn't that a lot??  Big eater, huh?

[AndiJ78]

A nursing baby will always be much more effecient than ANY pump. So if you can pump 5 ounces, your baby is probably getting much more than that in a shorter amount of time. But, you will not be able to maintain a good supply with a cheap pump. Unfortunately this could mean spending $200+ on a good pump. Medela makes some excellent pumps for around $200 that should do the trick, or as suggested, you could rent one from the hospital. If you are on WIC, I believe that the WIC offices have them to lend for free. When I had my 2nd child we were on it and I was able to borrow one for a month or so for free. It didn't solve my problem, but it defintiely educated me on the difference between what we can buy for $45 and what will actually do the job.

Good luck!
Andi

[mandymoo1983]

hi i got my period when dd was 6 weeks with both my girls and i exclusivly breastfed and am breastfeeding my dd now she is nearly 7 months also when your period returns your milk tends to run lower for a few days when af is here thanks to dam af geees us women have hard lives hey.
yes you probly need to invest in a good brand little eletric pump they are a little pricey but absolutly great to have there worth there weight in gold(a good 1 that is) i have a medela swing its absolutly great nurse more often or get a great pump you shouldent have any dramas.
however there are a few people out there who have low supply naturally that is really rare one in like 1000 odd women well guess what i do fall into that boat i have been taking a pill everyday to help increase my supply its called motillium however you need a script for this and will need to see a doctor goodluck to you if you need to no anything else just let me no.

[deanne11]

I had trouble pumping too....and I did NOT have a good pump...hated it.  Will definitely get a new one if I have another baby.

My little girl always seemed to get enough when I nursed but couldn't pump it for her.  Luckily I never really had too but if you do...I'd invest in a good pump.

Some hospitals rent them.

[aridza]

Maybe you're not using a good pump.
You can start with the pump, and when the milk stops coming out, try to hand express it, it's not hard to do.
Also try pumping more often, it will increase your milk supply (or breastfeed more often), what works great for helping to get a letdown, is having a crying child next to you, so if your baby cries (not because he is hungry), get your pumping on!
As far as your period being back while breastfeeding, there is no rule for that, some women like you get it back right away and some don't. I got my period back when I weaned my DD at 15mo, but my mother, for exemple, got her period back at 6 weeks for both my sister and I.

[mum2beagain]

I agree a good pump is the key, my little guy is just a week old, he didn't nurse too well at first couple and was in the special care unit because of fluid on his lungs and a low blood sugar level so I pumped in the hospital which helped bring my milk in, although he is nursing now I have carried on pumping twice a day and storing it in the freezer, I get about 4 oz total in about 10 minutes and I have an ameda double pump which is great.( I do have an avent manual pump which I did fine with the last time but the electric one is so much better). Andi is rgiht when she says baby is much more efficeint than the pump, babies get most of what the need during the first 10 - 15 minutes of vigourous sucking. A good pump either rented or bought should give you good yeilds in a much shorter time frame.

[girlybuff]

You an try pumping a little each time the baby is done nursing (especially early mornin hours) so your body knows to producemore milk but I think if your baby is having regular wet movements and if he/she is falling asleep at the breast, then they're fine.
The baby will get much more milk than any pump no matter how good it is.
I have a 5 month old whom I exclusively beast feed.  She eats constantly so I rarely have time to pump and since I'mnever far away I don't really have to but I did buy a hospital grade pump for about $300.  It works great but even that is not nearly as strong as the baby itself.
If your baby is gaining weight, you're doing fine.
I would go to the La Leche League site and look for tips on how to produce more milk if you're worried.
And, just as a side noe, a friend of mine who also exclusively breast fed got her period after 4 weeks but I haven't gotten mine at all and I'm at 19 weeks as of Saturdday.
Good luck.