Hi Megan -
The output varies a lot from one diaper to the next.  It is probably a moot
point.  But the diagnosis of "low supply" exclusively on the results of
pumping 2-oz vs. 3-oz is totally bogus.  Mom may be pumping 2-oz and have a
terrific supply if:

She just fed the baby before she pumped
She is using a pump that does not cycle well
The pump flanges do not fit
She has not learned to use a pump well or let down to "plastic"
Baby is a frequent feeder and mom has a small storage capacity

Having said that, Baby has lost 4-oz assuming both weights were nude weights
on the same scale with no change in calibration and the same person read the
same scale and there was no error in writing down the weight.  This should
merit a closer look at what is going on and anther weight check.

An example:  I am currently dealing with a baby who totally ruined mom's
nipples to the point where mom could not bear to put baby to breast.  A
co-worker who saw her first, had her pump to protect supply while nipples
healed and bottle-feed baby.  This worked well.  Baby gained about 2-oz per
day and mom was pumping enough to put extra in the freezer.  Mom obviously
has a good milk supply.  Mom tried to put baby back to breast but BABY is
having difficulty with latch and mom did not follow positioning instructions
well.  Baby lost 2-oz over 10 days, even though we KNEW she was producing
enough milk.  It was not initially a low supply problem but an ineffective
milk removal problem that has now reduced mom's supply.

Moral of the story.  Have someone watch the baby feed and evaluate intake.
If baby has lost weight, he is not getting enough milk.  It may be mom's
supply, it may be baby's ability, it may be a combination of the two.
Supplementing after feedings should increase baby's weight.  It is unlikely
however to resolve the breastfeeding problems.

Good luck,

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
Phoenix AZ

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