I just pumped for the fisrt time for 15 min only. It just barely covers the bottom of the bottle. So do I freeze this (just want to start building a supply) or can I save it somehow to add to it the next time I pump? With more pumping will I produce more at each session? Also, in between pumpings, do you keep the parts in the fridge, and clean them at the end of the night? Thanks!!
(I posted this on BF board too)
Re: 1st time pumping
When I first started pumping I'd only get an ounce or two. I would freeze everything because since I wasn't giving him bottles. I did however, keep all pumps separate. I would be THRILLED with two ounces. Now, I look at those little baggies I have and think it looks like such a little bit. I'm now pumping 5+ ounces.?
?You're fitting extra feedings in between your child's feedings and so it might take some time for your body to catch up? I'm guessing anyway. Plus at this point he/she's probably not eating much anyway so that could be why there's not much coming out.
?I would wash my parts between each feeding, but I also bought extra specifically for that reason.??
Don't be discouraged about how little you pump early on.
I remember quite vividly - this was back in the beginning when breastfeeding was SO SO SO painful and pumping felt fruitless - I remember looking at the picture of the woman pumping that came with my pump and she had a bottle attached to each boob and those bottles each had about 3 ounces in them - I totally thought "you b!tch!!" I was so irritated looking at all that milk in those bottles and then looking at my few precious drops I'd managed to squeeze out. That was then and this is now... now my first pumping session at work often generates 8-10 ounces total!