EBF and pumping.

usernewname

So I plan on building a freezer stash but still EBF. I would only use a bottle in an emergency for DH or the grandparents. Other than that I would like some for making his meals when he starts solids.

I feel like I have no idea what to do. When do I do it? Will it create an oversupply for DS. Once I do it am I stuck doing it?

Any info would help.

I guess if I do end up pumping a lot or end up with a large supply I can donate it.

haylo33

I pump in the morning right after I feed DS. That way my body will have enough time to produce for the next feeding. I haven't had an issue with over supply. Some days I don't have time to pump or I do it much later in the day and I don't notice a difference. I'm pretty sure the morning is the best time because that is when supply is the highest. I'm also trying to build a freezer stash and pumping once a day, I'm freezing about 4-5 oz daily

apinkpelican

Agree w @haylo33‌ LC advised me to pump after first morning feed when supply is highest. At first I felt I didn't 'fill up' enough for DD's next feeding but that only lasted a day or two. I only get 1.5-2 oz when I do this but am slowly building a stash. Then of course You'll need to pump when you actually give them the bottle to keep your supply up.

haylo33

MK1013 said:

I've been doing what @haylo33 does, but not sure if it's helping my OALD or hurting it.. I leak about 1.5 oz in my shell that I save and then pump about an ounce more.. That's all I get for a day, but figure it's better than nothing. I don't plan to give bottles often, just for emergencies and when I go back to work in the Fall, 2 days a week (2.5 hours).

Interested to see if I'm doing this the "best" way or not...

How old is your LO? My DS is 5 weeks but when he was younger, I think I had an OALD but it has resolved itself as my supply has regulated. The baby used to gulp and chug milk and I could tell he couldn't keep up. I also couldn't ever feel letdown and now I can. Maybe the same will happen for you and as your supply regulates it will improve.

usernewname

Okay. I'm getting it so far.

So I have a hungry little hippo - so I pump on the SAME side after he finishes that side? Sometimes he can have two boobs, sometimes not. Depends on the time of day and how hungry he is. He's a little better in the AM, so pumping in the AM would be best.

ETA: I don't leak. And if I do its just a small spot on my shirt. So using milkies wouldn't work for me

haylo33

I pump on both sides after a feeding. Usually I get a lot less on the side he just ate from. I usually pump until the milk stops and continue pumping the side I didn't feed from for a few more minutes

usernewname

haylo33 said:

I've been doing what @haylo33 does, but not sure if it's helping my OALD or hurting it.. I leak about 1.5 oz in my shell that I save and then pump about an ounce more.. That's all I get for a day, but figure it's better than nothing. I don't plan to give bottles often, just for emergencies and when I go back to work in the Fall, 2 days a week (2.5 hours). Interested to see if I'm doing this the "best" way or not...

How old is your LO? My DS is 5 weeks but when he was younger, I think I had an OALD but it has resolved itself as my supply has regulated. The baby used to gulp and chug milk and I could tell he couldn't keep up. I also couldn't ever feel letdown and now I can. Maybe the same will happen for you and as your supply regulates it will improve.

DS is 6 weeks and a bit. He's a chugger for the first few moments (a sound I love actually lol) ... but he's gaining weight beautifully so I know I have enough (even though I worry). Sometimes in the evening he gets mad when I don't have enough coming quickly, but he always clusters in the evening.

Which he is in that mental leap/physical growth spurt. I should wait until that's over first right?

usernewname

haylo33 said:

I pump on both sides after a feeding. Usually I get a lot less on the side he just ate from. I usually pump until the milk stops and continue pumping the side I didn't feed from for a few more minutes

I guess it depends on what I want out of each pump. I figure just a couple oz. a day would be enough to start building since I don't plan on using it regularly. 

apinkpelican

LO eats from both at each feeding. I pump from both.

gutsysneakers

I didn't read any replies but this is what I do (I don't pump every day- sometimes it's 2-3 days in a row and then I'll skip a day if DD is super hungr or something): Whichever boob was not used during the last feeding ( or used less), I pump in the AM around 10am. I usually get 4-5 oz from that boob. I time it so I can offer the "leftovers" of the pumped boob to DD and then giver her a "fresh" boob. I usually have DH give her a 3 oz every other night from bottle. I have to go back to work in August and I like that DH has bonding time with her. The rest I freeze.

usernewname

@MK1013‌ that's when I leak sometimes. When one side is being nursed and the other is full so I get that spot on my shirt. I thought it was just from the stimulation it kinda happens. I could be wrong though.

danabsd

Once your supply is settled you won't create an over supply by pumping once a day. It's much quicker to adjust. I pump in the morning about an hour after she eats. I've been doing it since about 2.5 weeks and have approx 60 ozs in my freezer.

FWIW, I consider pumping and bottle feeding solely BM also EBF. Your wording kind made it sound like you EBF only if baby is strictly on the breast. 

blessednewmom1

For those of you that are EBFing and want a small stash just for if you have to leave lo every so often, have you got lo to try a bottle yet?? My ds is 6 wks and EBF and I haven't pumped much yet so he hasn't yet even tried a bottle (since I'm not returning to work). I am worried that I have now waited too late to introduce a bottle. What are your thoughts and experience??

apinkpelican

@blessednewmom1‌ I'd probably try to introduce one sooner than later. My DD is 5 weeks and we've been trying for over a week. Don't think it's bc of timing but they don't always take it right away and you probably should leave some time for trial and error in case you have to try out various bottles/nipples

usernewname

@danabsd‌ I was just saying my son is Ebf, no pumping or bottle. Just specifying our current routine, not saying to be ebf there is no pumping/bottle. Maybe my wording wasn't quite there. It's hard to type all you want to say one handed with a babe in the other

@blessednewmom1‌ I don't plan on introducing a bottle to see, but it comes down to personal choice. That said I am totally gambling if someone needs that stash and bottle should I not be home and DS becomes hungry.

spinsoffresonance

I haven't read all the responses so sorry if I'm just repeating what was said. It's best to pump once a day at about the same time everyday. Try to start pumping 30min-1hour after a feeding. The first few times you might get nothing but keep pumping for 15min. This will tell your body it needs to make more milk at that time. You won't end up with an oversupply by pumping once a day. If you pumped after every feeding that would create an oversupply.

gutsysneakers

@blessednewmom1‌ - fwiw, my lactation consultant said to introduce bottle between 2-3 weeks. I know everyone is different. We give a bottle at least 4x week to DD. I'm sure sooner is better at this point. For me, I introduced sooner so I would have no issues when I have to go back to work.

usernewname

MK1013 said:

I'm scared to introduce a bottle to DD out of fear she won't want to nurse anymore. I would only give her 1 bottle a day if that, but... Is if likely she wouldn't want to nurse after starting a bottle? I really don't NEED her to take one until the Fall, but even then the longest I'll be away is 2.5 hours 2x a week and her doctor said I probably need to introduce one soon or she may not take it at all when needed.... Ahhh

I would introduce soon, especially if babe is going to the bottle at some point anyway. I know a mom who EBF from the breast until her babe was like 9 months old. She wouldn't touch the bottle. Luckily she was on solids by that time so she wasn't starving but she would only nurse.

Thats my fear too. If I leave a bottle for an emergency will DS take it? My personal choice is to avoid bottles (as much as I can) if I can since I am home anyway for the year, but I do know I can't be there every second in case something comes up.

usernewname

Nope. I'd rather not as well but I am sure there will be a time it's needed. I have the medela one that came with my pump so if needed that would be what would be used.

usernewname

If she takes a paci I would think she'd accept a bottle but I have no idea. Someone else might know better than me. Anyone?

Ds doesn't get a paci either. Ds just likes the boob lol. He even rarely takes my finger.

usernewname

Thats true, a bottle has yumminess coming from it.

Kinipela7

What do you use to store the milk in the freezer?  How do you thaw the milk from the freezer?  I have some BM bags that I got at BRU.  Do I just take it from the freezer and run it under warm water until it's done?  I'm clueless