Pumping question

aanzelmo1

Hi everyone.

My little guy is a little over 3 weeks and I'm exclusively breast feeding. I'm going back to work in about a week or so and iv been trying to pump to get a stash going but it literally takes me all day to get 3 ounces. Any suggestions to get more in a pumping session ?? Or did anyone else have this problem ?

RDK24

I didn't really get much from the pump when I was nursing round the clock. You may get more when you are actually missing a feeding with your LO. 

Is that a typo or are you going back to work when your LO is 4-5 weeks? If so, I'm not sure it's possible to build up much of a stash quite that fast.

The biggest thing that helps me get more oz is to RELAX at the pump. Not easy to do but over time it does get easier. Also important to make sure you have the correct size flanges and that you're well hydrated. I drink a TON of water to keep supply up. GL!

aanzelmo1

I try to pump either an hour before or after the baby nurses for about 20 minutes on each side. I drink plenty of water, maybe I'm not eatting enough. I have a medela pump. But yes I am going back at 5 weeks. I'm a hair dresser so I'm just going back two days for just a couple hours here and there to get some clients in.

srgoldbe

What really seemed to help me build up a stash was pumping both sides after every other feed for 10-15mins. At first I would only get between .5-2oz from both breasts, however, after about a week to 2 weeks I started getting 2.5-4 oz total each time I pumped. The consistency of pumping after every other feed helped my body regulate my supply and now I have a nice freezer stash. I started back to work on Monday and pump twice while I am at work. I get much more milk when I am substituting a feeding for pumping. I yield the most milk after the first feed in the am.

aanzelmo1

Thank you for your input! Hopefully it helps !

MamaLlama14

If you're pumping in addition to nursing (rather than INSTEAD OF nursing), 3oz at only 4w old is great! Remember that milk continues to come in over a few weeks and regulates to meet the needs of the baby- it's a supply and demand process, so the more you nurse, the more you'll get.

Someone once told me that pumping in addition to nursing is essentially like feeding a second baby- you've got to train your body to make enough for LO and extra for the pump.  It takes some time.  You also don't want to overdo it and get an oversupply.  So make sure you have a good pump with the correct-fitting parts and are drinking 100oz of water a day.  Once you begin missing feedings and getting engorged you'll be able to yield more to the pump.  Also remember to freeze the ounces you're getting NOW if you don't plan to use them for a week or two.