Breast milk questions

[FFC]

So I pumped when I was at my mom's last weekend, and put the milk in the fridge so I could take it home and put it in the freezer.

That night when I went to take it out of the fridge, it had layered into 3 layers. Clear like water on the bottom, milky in the middle, and almost a solid - fatty looking substance on the top.

Now, I understand that's probably normal, but it sure did get me thinking. That layer on top did look like fat. Just how much "fat" is normal for a baby? I haven't been eating well at all, so seeing that was a wake up call for me. Is my baby getting the nutrients she needs even though I'm not really eating that great? I know that she gets first priority when it comes to the nutrients that I do consume, but am I jeopardizing her?

I asked Will to pick up some fruit and salad for me because I felt so bad about how I've been eating. I'm forcing myself to eat fruit because I haven't been able to go grocery shopping lately and haven't had fresh fruits/veggies in awhile.

Also, I was producing milk like a cow when I was at my mom's. I pumped and within a couple hours, I was engorged again even right after feeding Katie. I was engorged most of the day - even though I fed her every couple hours. Then I came home and can barely produce.... what on earth would make me power-produce one day, and not produce hardly anything the next? Because of yesterday, I haven't even had the urge to pump today and usually I'm hurting if I don't pump. It's odd and I'm going to test again and see if I power-produce when I go back to mom's tomorrow for a couple days.

[KMS]

How much fatty milk you get from a pumping session generally depends on how much you drain your breasts. Once you empty out your foremilk, the fatty hindmilk comes out. I don't know if there's a normal amount though.

That's what I've heard too - that your LO will get what they need from you. Have you thought about taking a supplement while you're nursing as an insurance policy, just to be sure? I take mine sometimes and then sometimes I don't. I'm not very consistent with it!

Were you more relaxed, well rested, hydrated, well fed, etc when you were at your moms? All of that can effect your supply like crazy!

[scarymary48]

The fatty hind milk is good for babies, that's what helps them grow! So don't worry. But a healthy diet will be good for both you and Katie, so eating more fruit and vegies will definitely be a good thing :D

[lize566]

I don't eat good at all, but Zach is growing normally and seems to be healthy. The hindmilk, the fatty part, is what fills them up as well, so I've always been told to make sure the baby empties one side before you switch, as opposed to 10 minutes on side, then switching. I've noticed a huge difference in pumping when I'm in a comfortable environment and relaxed, as well as hydrated. When I haven't been drinking much water, I get next to nothing. Are you eating more of certain things at your mom's or vice versa? Like peppermint and sage both decerease your supply. Here's a link to more information if you are interested

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

When I've been worried about my supply being low, I eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and usually see a pretty quick increase.

Also, even though you don't feel engorged, you may still get some milk. Your body could just be adjusting to the amount of milk you are producing.

[Heywie]

I know lots of things can affect your milk production. When my mom was staying with me and cooking for me, my milk seemed to be pouring out of me! I don't take as good care of myself and my milk supply has suffered. Luckily, Ollie is a big boy and doing just fine, but my overstock has depleted quite a bit!

I would imagine you were less stressed and more well fed at your mom's and that caused you to produce more milk! Maybe you were also well-rested?

As for the milk fat, mine was always pretty fatty when I'd pump. I don't pump very much anymore to know what it's like now. I think the milk fat differs depending on the mommy, but I wouldn't worry too much about it! Your body knows what it's doing, even if we don't!!!