Questioning my supply (xp)

Since about 6weeks I've pumped about an extra bottle a day to freeze and save. Two Fridays ago I had a lump biopsy in my right breast and as a result had to pump and dump that side for about 5 days. Last week I returned to work and couldn't pump enough while DD was at school to send for her the following day, I was about a bottle and sometimes 2 bottles short. Since returning to work, DD has backslided with her sleeping.... waking up 2-3 times a night. There are other potential reasons, her nose is stuffy and she may not be feeling great. But how do I know if I should be supplimenting her night nursing with a bottle?

I know that what I get from pumping is not necessarily an indication of what she will get from nursing because she's more efficient than a pump.... but with the increase in night waking I'm suspicious that my supply may have decreased. Now that I'm back to work I need my sleep more than ever!

Thoughts?

I'm not pumping but, funny enough, I was having these exact same thoughts yesterday and today. Do you think she's trying to up your supply due to a growth spurt? I think that's Philip's issue combined with the STUPID time change which has all my sons out of whack right now.
I also must add that I pumped DS1 while I worked FT. My mik slowly dried up and I was done at about 4mths. It made me dissapointed but hey, I made it that far so that's something right? As long as you give it your all, don't feel to bad. Working and BFing is quite a difficult thing to keep going.
Have you tried any of the things to help increase your supply?

Dp

MIL mentioned growth spurt too... and it could be about that time.

With DD1 I lasted to 7months and had gone back to work at 3mo. I stopped BFing suddenly one saturday when she was being fussy and we realized it was bc she wa hungry after she chowed down a full bottle after nursing several times that morning.

I haven't tried any of the tricks to increase my supply yet. I actually had oversupply as of a month ago but I took a couple of trips where I intentionally reduced my supply because I wasn't going to be able to pump and save milk (we were flying). I didn't want to have extra and be leaking all over the place. Then came the biopsy and return to work. Sigh.

My pediatrician did say something at the last visit which stuck with me. She said to remember that some is better than none and not to stop if she needs to be supplimented with either pumped milk from my supply or with formula. I wish I had thought about that with DD1. I could have continued to do some BFing. I'd be interested to hear from any who have successfully nursed just in the morning and at night without pumping during the day. I would love that.... but only if she'd actually be getting a bottle's worth during those sessions. I'm not really interested in continuing to nurse for bonding if it's not actually feeding her too.

This could be all premature. It could be a growth spurt and I'll see my supply go up in response to the extra nursings. We shall see.

I was going to guess a growth spurt or a result of her being sick as part of the cause of her waking up too. John has been sick for about a month and is finally getting over it. He was only getting up twice a night (!!) but then started back with the 2-4 times once his congestion really kicked up.

He's now hitting his 3 month growth spurt and despite knowing I have an oversupply, this kid is eating like crazy.

As for whether or not you need to supplement, I guess technically it comes down to weight (no loss) and haivng enough wet and dirty diapers. Are you really relaxed when you're pumping? Could you need new pump pieces if your set is from DD1? I am not downing FF in any way as you have to decide what's best for you, but just brainstorming ideas that could help boost your pumping production.

I also remember my LC telling me that it's normal for your supply to fluctuate a little bit, especially around AF. I like what your pediatrician said about supplementing and it's true -- choosing/needing to supplement doesn't mean BFing has to be a done deal if you want to continue. I hope you're able to figure out something that works well for you both soon so you can all get some rest.