How much breast milk should I be able to express at 3 weeks?

[Anya201]

I’m trying to increase my milk supply. DS is three weeks old and had tongue tie. I had cracked bleeding nipples so had to stop bf for a few days until his tongue tie was snipped and my nipples healed. I continued to express. I wanted to know how much I should be able to expect to express at 3 weeks postpartum. I can express 1oz after a feed and 2ozs if I express before bedtime. Is this really low? I’m currently expressing after every breastfeed to try and increase my supply so I can cut down the amount of top ups.

Any feed back would be great, thanks

Expressing is not a sign of how much milk you have. I exclusive bf from 6 weeks to 6 months but couldn’t express more than 1/2 oz between both boobs.

How often are you expressing? kellymom website is really trust worthy and has a lot about expressing.

I would contact LLL for advice because your baby will be much more effective at increasing your supply than pumping.

I am also pumping alongside breastfeeding a 3 week old. I am not actively looking to increase my supply, more just to have a small stash in the freezer so DH can feed her while I sleep.
I am finding I can pump about 120 ml of I haven't feed for a while and that this takes about 7-8 mins (my pump has a timer). It sounds like you are doing really well.
Try to remember that pumping doesn't give an accurate reflection of supply as your baby is much better at getting milk out than any pump will be. The more you put your baby to your breast the more milk you will produce. Skin to skin contact with baby can help with this too
Keep going, it's tough but it sounds like you're doing an amazing job

From the kellymom website

NOTE: Keep in mind that the average mom who is pumping between breastfeeding sessions can express between ONE and THREE oz per pumping session (not per breast, per session).

Pumps are just not as effective as babies at extracting milk.

Don't get too worried about amounts.

The more you feed baby the more you will create.

Make sure you are eating and drinking enough, put baby on a bit more frequently than you would maybe.

If you are expressing after baby has fed then you will probably get less than you would before IYSWIM

Personally I never could express much, I regret ever trying to express (always thought I ‘had’ to build a supply to leave the baby even though she was only a few weeks old!).

My advice is to give up and just put your baby on as much as possible, lots of skin to skin etc. and your supply with adjust.

Hi thanks so much for all the messages. The reason I’m asking is because I am giving top ups ( as I had to because he wasn’t gaining any weight ) so I’m trying to reduce those whilst trying to feed as much as possible but been told to express to increase my supply.

I could never express anything but breastfed my daughter until she was 20 months. Being able to express isn’t necessarily a good indicator of supply.

Feed baby from both breasts until they stop and can't get any more.
Feed from breasts more often

Skin to skin

Sometimes being near, hearing baby cry, thinking about feeding can help you release more milk when expressing.

Most of all don't stress yourself out over it all.

Look after yourself too