Pumping and bottles question

I just went back to work last week and now I'm obviously pumping at work. However, I also pump a few times at home and I'm not sure how much of all the milk I pumped I should use for the bottles she needs during the day. I typically pump between 3-4 oz per pump session. This is my schedule...

6am-nurse on one side, pump the other
9am- pump (she gets a bottle)
12pm- pump (she gets a bottle)
3pm - pump (she gets a bottle)
6pm - nurse
8pm - nurse
10pm - pump

So I have 5 pump sessions during the course of the day. The last pump session I usually get a little less - maybe 2-3oz. So I've been making up three 4oz bottles for her during the day, usually just using the milk I pumped at work. Should I be also using the milk from the other two sessions and make bigger bottles? I'm afraid I'm not feeding her enough, but I'm also worried that if I give her too much that my supply will drop.

Can anyone provide some input? Thanks!

ETA: DD is 4 months old if that helps!

Message edited 9/11/2013 6:18:52 AM.

Pumping and bottles question

Is she satisfied on the 4oz bottles, or does she cry for more?

If she's satisfied, you're fine with what you're doing and I'd freeze the extra!

Pumping and bottles question

Is she fussy for more then 4 oz? If yo give her more then the time in between gets longer too. I EP my milk but only 2x a day (12-15oz eh). If I added a session my body will make more to accommodate. Seeems like your doing fine.

Re: Pumping and bottles question

she seems pretty satisfied with the 4oz right now. Although my MIL said if there was 5oz in the bottle she probably would've taken that with no problems, but she's not fussy after and seems to do ok in between.

Re: Pumping and bottles question

they will offten not deny the milk from a bottle bec it just that much easier...if she is satisfied after the 4 oz - i see no need to add the extra oz...save it for the future!

My kids all drank 2 oz the first month and went up about 1/2 oz each month until it plateaued at 5.5 oz and it stayed like that for the whole year I breastfed!

They might cry when you take the bottle away but it may not *always be for hunger - it is bec they are used to telling you they are done breastfeeding bec they unlatch - but when the bottle is empty you are in essence telling them they are done and they dont always like that!