Going back to work and pumping

haylo33

I go back to work in 3 weeks. LO will be 13 weeks. I'm a nurse on a very busy floor. I'm concerned I'll go too long between pumps. I usually feed LO every 2 hours during the day. He only takes one side. When I give a bottle, I usually just pump from that side. Can I pump every 4 hours and just pump both sides? Or do I need to do 1 side every 2? I'll try but no way I'll be able to every 2 hours. Also, when I work night shift, should I just pump when LO would wake up? That also confuses me because when I sleep during the day I guess I will have to wake up to pump? Rotating shifts stink

radiohd18

My guess is that you will figure out when to pump once you start to do it. Initially, I would just focus on trying to pump during every nursing session you miss with LO, but I would do it every 3 hours (not two) and be sure to pump both sides. I would probably just go by the baby's day/night schedule. I mean, I don't wake up to pump in the middle of the night when LO is asleep, but I do pump when I miss her daytime feedings. This might mean you will have to wake during the day to pump. This is just brainstorming... I think you'll figure out a schedule that works best for you once you get started. good luck!