Nursing (Pumping) Issue

My right breast generally pumps 1-2 oz more per session than my left. If you are having pain or soreness or there are lumps you could have a clogged duct.

It could be a clogged duct but unless you are feeling soreness, I doubt it. Maybe low fluid intake or dehydration -- are you feeling OK? Has your cycle come back yet. By the way -- as my pumping yield tapered off....one of my boobs (let's call it the low producer) would ALWAYS only give me an ounce at a time. It actually has less ducts than the other -- oh well! Try more water, oatmeal, and the supplements like Mother's Milk or Fenugreek capsules.

if you had a clogged duct, You would KNOW IT! it hurts.
the less productive one was probably the one baby fed more from or fed last from.
but things that helped me when my supply was low was drinking an insane amount of water and taking fenugreek.

I have one side that doesn't produce as much usually get around 1-2 ounces less each pump. Average for breast milk production is about 1 oz per hour produced. So if you haven't pumped in 4 hours you would get 4 oz total maybe (3oz from the left and 1oz from the right) or 2oz from each side. That is the only way I would judge my production and that is on the total amount produced.

I stopped being able to pump much. I knew my DD was getting plenty of milk when she was nursing, but the pump just didn't work. I tried switching pumps too, and had slightly better luck with a manual pump. Eventually, I gave up. Luckily, my schedule was flexible enough that I was able to nurse instead of worrying about pumping.

Probably not if you're not having discomfort. That used to happen to me a lot, so I would try to have the baby nurse on that breast first (the one producing the least), and the balance would work itself out. Good luck, and good for you!

Two questions here...first to increase supply in general. The best thing you can do is when you're home nursing, pump immediately after nursing for feedings you would pump at work (or at least once or twice a day) so build up supply. Then when you have what your happy with, keep this up some (I do once or twice a weekend). Also you can take herbal supplements, there is mother's milk (tea and pill) or Lactate support. All of them contain 2 main ingredients: fenugreek and blessed thistle (you can take them straight too), it will increase supply.

2nd question...why is one breast producing less, that's 100% normal, one will always do that and probably does when you're nursing. Don't worry about it, once you're total supply is up it won't matter.

Good luck!!

I have the same issue every day. I always get more out of the right side. It's not uncommon for me to pump 4 to 5 oz from one side and only 2 or 3 from the other. Somehow it all works out though, because I'm still able to pump enough to replace what my son eats while I'm away. Believe me, if you have a clogged duct you'll know! A clogged/plugged duct is extremely painful.

If you have a clogged duct like the others said you will know it. One thing that you might and might not be doing that helped me is I would take a picture of my baby to look at when I would pump. That would help me let down. And would help some. Also sometime if I felt I was not getting enough out I would manually work from the base forward kind of massaging it. Hope that was not too graffic but I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck and God bless!!!

It actually sounds pretty normal. 4-6 ounces was what I usually got and the last one DD drained usually had less. I also had a "good" side and an "okay" side.

The usual suggestions apply - keep hydrated, try not to stress, eat oatmeal. If you had a clogged duct, you would feel it and know it.

Also, try bringing an item of baby's clothing or his/her shampoo. Smell is powerful.

Brewer's Yeast will increase milk production in the breast. You might night have a clogged milk duct, but not enough fluid intake or rest to make more milk. The older your infact gets, and the more he/she requires, sometimes your body requires one day to just jump to the next level or plateau of milk generation for your growing infant.
Speak to a nutritionist re Breyer's Yeast and the things you must do. I used it and had the healthiest of all three.
Give yourself a break and relax, the milk will come. If you are having pain, seek medical advice immediately.
Good luck. Happy Motherhood!!!!!!

How old is your child? If the baby is 4-5 months - you may have hit the common pumping roadblock. At that time frame, most Moms find it very hard to pump anything, yet they have plenty for baby when they breastfeed.

I always advise Mommas to pump excessively the first 4 months to stockpile, because I know this is such a common situation.

If this is NOT the situation - make sure you are relaxed when you pump, ensure you stay hydrated and are eating well (oatmeal seems to really help) and have a picture of your little one with you.

Also, the combination of Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek gives optimum results for increasing your milk supply. Don't worry about one side producing more - because babies tend to have a favorite breast and that one will be the higher producer.

I have had recurring problems with clogged milk ducts and usually a day before the duct gets infected (infected feels like pain pain pain) I do notice that one breast starts producing less all of the sudden.

However, like everyone else has said, you will know when you have an infected and clogged duct! Clogged duct is nothing, infected will make you cry.

Updated

that was normal for me...Baby would get more out of me than the pump would...pumping at work full time..I lost that battle after 2 months and had to give up BFing :(

It isn't uncommon to pump more from one side than the other. If you don't feel like one side is emptying as well, you could change the position of the pump and try again. You could also try manually massaging that side a little to make sure the milk is flowing. If you notice any bumps where milk doesn't seem to be flowing, you could have a clogged milk duct. As long as you keep pumping/nursing on both sides, both sides will continue to produce milk. Good luck!