EBF/Pumping Question

kwrecks

For those of you that ebf, and pump, when do you pump? And how much? 

I SAH so I don't have any huge reason to need pumped milk, but we are still struggling with NIP so I like to make sure that I bring a bottle with me if I know we're going to be gone for more than an hour and a half or so.  I used to pump after every other feeding, but I got lazy and only pumped a couple times a week.  Now that my initial freezer stash is getting low, and I know that I will probably need more bottled milk during the holidays, I am going to start pumping again.  I know my supply has gone down, and so I need to work at getting it up.  For the last few days, I've been pumping after her morning feeding, and I get about 1.5oz.  Does that seem like a good amount?  Since it's after a feeding, I feel like it's not too bad, and until I can get my production up, I'm not going to be getting more than that.  Also, I worry that by the time I pump and basically empty my breast, it's only an hour or so until LO needs to eat again and I worry that I won't have had enough time to produce enough to fill her up for that next feeding.  Will my body eventually know to produce faster after that morning pump so she has enough for the next feeding?

Also, does anyone know, besides pumping, a way to increase production on one side? 

Sorry this is kind of all over the place.

SarahinMD

I pump every evening right before I go to bed--this is usually 1 1/2 - 2 hrs after LO nurses to sleep, and at least the same till first wake up, if not more. I get 1.5-2.5 oz. I learned to do this with DD1 to suppement what I pumped at work. Night isn't best time to but since I do it every night, my body just works this into supply.

Easiest way to increase is always nurse more. Personally I'd work on getting more comfortable NIP--will always be easiest. I have a bebe au lait cover and though it can be a hassle getting LO positioned as well, it works. Sometimes I just step away to nurses her.

Good luck!

KQuinonez

I am a FTM but from what I have learned so far the more you pump at a certain time, your body will learn it needs to produce more at that time of day. I feed and pump in the mornings before I leave for work and get at least 3 ounces if not more.  Everyone is different though. I have tried not to compare myself to others because our bodies do not all work the same.    The biggest factor on my supply has been my water intake.  If I am not drinking enough water my milk supply will be noticeably lower.  I have a hard time nursing in public too.  Mostly because DS does not like to be covered.  I just go to the car and nurse.  It works well for us.  Good Luck and don't get discouraged!

magdalina.h

You will never truly be empty. 1.5 after a feed is good! To increase one side, since you can nurse, nurse on that side and then pump that side. That will signal to your body to make more. You'll have to do that for a few days.

My biggest time to produce is morning. I don't nurse her because I have such a huge supply that I don't want to lose it since she's primarily bottle fed. I nurse her when I get home from work and then she gets a bottle before bed. Except last night!!!! She slept all night after a boob. I was so excited, clearly still am.

I also don't NIP because it makes my husband uncomfortable. Before anyone bashes him, I'm fine with this and it's not because he doesn't like breast feeding, he just doesn't like the idea of my boob being out. No matter how covered I am. Seriously, if anyone tries to attack this part, you'll be ignored so don't bother.

boymamaco

I pump every morning as soon as I get up. I can usually pump enough to freeze one 5oz bag and make a bottle for the first morning feed (3 oz). Sometimes LO will sleep long enough that I'll nurse instead of using the bottle in which case I just save that bottle and add to it as I make enough more to freeze. I always freeze in 5 oz increments. 

I recently wanted to increase my supply and started pumping a few minutes after every feed.That seemed to help. 

LJUTCMommy

dani_brewer said, I also always pump if she gets a bottle. When I pump to replace a feeding I get 3-4 oz. 

For pumping, the best thing is to get your pumping scheduled so you can tell your body to produce more milk at that time everyday. Eventually, your body will figure it out and make more milk. It may take a few days though.

I tried to bring a pumped bottle when she was a month old at the doctor's office. Back then, I wasn't comfortable NIP. She just ignored it and kept going for my boob. She still won't take a bottle from me, so I have to NIP. But if you've already done it, you shouldn't have that issue. 

Good luck!

kwrecks

We got really lucky and she'll take a bottle anytime, anywhere, from anyone.  Same thing with pacifiers, her favorite is Nuk, but she'll take whatever. 

As far as NIP goes, I've tried and she doesn't like being covered, she wiggles all around, and especially lately since we've been dealing with thrush, it's a struggle even at home trying to get her to nurse so it's been hard.  I'm hoping that soon, when the thrush is gone and she gets even more efficient at it, I won't have an issue.

JilllyBean

I have DH give him a bottle when he wakes up around 6am. I pump at this time. If he's STTN I'll get like 10-12 oz. if not I usually get 8 or 9. At least one extra bottle so I can build my stash.