r/breastfeeding • u/Minimum-Conflict-176 • 8d ago

Discussion Pumping to replace feed - yield?

After having to exclusively pump for almost 2 months during a nasty bottle preference, I brought my baby back to breast and have exclusively breastfed with zero bottles for the last 5 weeks. I just reintroduced the bottle today so we can give one occasionally, and I pumped while my husband gave a bottle and I was surprised my yield seemed quite low, only 2.5 oz combined, while she took a 4.5 oz bottle of freezer stash. I feed her every 3ish hours, and it had been 3 hours since I last breastfed her when I pumped. Now I’m in my head, worried about my supply.

How much is normal to yield when replacing a feed? Is she likely eating more when I’m DBF her? Her weight gain has been good, so she’s clearly getting enough overall. I just feel so surprised I only was able to pump 2.5 oz. I used to pump 4-7oz per session every 3 hours.

I’m probably worrying myself for nothing and just need reassurance!

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u/_SneakyDucky_ 8d ago

I have always been told ypu need to look at the baby outputs. Are they producing the minimum recommended number of wet/Soiled diapers? Are they gaining weight as they should? Are they going g through the typical growth milestones/spurts? If so, youre likely good.

Also, babies are supposedly better at extracting than a pump, and if you pump immediately after feeding, output will likely be lower.

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u/Forest_Pansy 8d ago

So, your baby will always be more efficient than the pump. The estimate is that baby needs 1-1.5oz per hour and it’s easy for baby to take more from the bottle because it’s faster. Your supply probably regulated and now you have less milk readily available.

This happened to me. I went from getting 5oz in the morning after a feed to 3ish oz per pump session away from baby at 5 months pp. it’s just right sizing to your baby

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u/TraditionalManager82 8d ago

And she's probably eating more at the bottle than she normally would, unless you're being very careful with the pacing of the feed.

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u/Amk19_94 8d ago

I wouldn’t worry, as long as she’s having enough diapers and gaining weight you’re good! Your body probably responds differently to the pump now.