Monday, February 16, 2009

Breastmilk Supply for Juan Or

Shortly after Mommy's maternity leave ended, Mommy was able to produce an average of 12 oz. of breatmilk from both breasts (added together) during working hours. At that time, Juan Or was consuming 10 oz. of breastmilk per babysitting day (8 am to 6 pm).



Then the quantity went up to an average of 14 oz. somewhere when Juan Or was 4 to 6 months old. At that time, Juan Or was consuming 12 oz. of breastmilk per babysitting day. On a very good day, Mommy was able to produce a total of 16 oz. during working hours! But that was only once. By then, Juan Or was consuming 14 to 16 oz. of breastmilk per babysitting day.



Somewhere when Juan Or was 7 to 8 months old, Mommy's production went down to an average of 12 oz. again. By then, Juan Or's breastmilk consumption was 18 to 20 oz. per babysitting day.



By 8 to 9 months, Mommy's production dipped again to an average of 10.5 oz. And Juan Or's consumption of breastmilk ranges from 18 to 22 or 23 oz. per babysitting day. How sad!



All along, Mommy had taken steps to help make up the difference of production vs. consumption by hand-expressing breastmilk immediately after Juan Or had breastfed.....but still cannot catch up!



Mommy wonders how long more Mommy's production can last. And the buffer period of frozen breastmilk supply is gradually dwindling - from 14 days (shortly after going back to work) to the current of 8 days! Mommy foresees the day when the breastmilk that Mommy pumps the day before will be used up the very next day itself.....and from that day onwards, Mommy will have to resort to using infant milk powder to supplement.....






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