Late pumping session

BbyBoo2012

So my question is, if I am late for a pumping because A) I slept through an alarm or I had an appointment run late, should I pump early and stick to my 3 hour schedule or just readjust my schedule to the new time when I was able to pump?

SummerOH

I'd stick to the original schedule. If you delay or start dropping sessions, your supply may drop. I'd err on the side of more sessions even if they're closer together vs stretching them out.

You probably won't have an issue if you wait longer only a couple times, but your supply will tank if you do it too much. The only thing that signals your body's production is the rate at which milk is removed.

(Totally anecdotal as a mom who nursed her first and second to a year and 15 months respectively. My supply took a hit when work meetings regularly interfered with pumping sessions.)

teachmegs817

The LC at the hospital had told me that if I wanted to stretch out my nightly/early morning times to allow myself a little bit more sleep or flexibility then I could.  I was on a 3 hour pumping schedule so at night, I'd go 4 hours between pumping and then pump again in 2.  I only did that a few times though.  It didn't notice any changes in my supply by waiting a little longer.

ainverso

I always made sure if I messed up the schedule, that I pumped the correct amount of milk before stopping. If baby eats 4 oz, I made sure I got 4 oz or built in another session later to make up for the lack of milk. I never noticed a loss in supply. I also had built up a pretty big supply in freezer ahead of time to have a cushion. Best thing u can do is make sure when ur with baby, you breastfeed baby (weekend, Ect) so baby can tell ur body what it needs and make sure supply hopefully stays appropriate

Mommyduclos

Your body learns to make milk at specific times so I would say go back to your regular schedule by time rather than by hour