When to start pumping and creating a stash...

cubsfan1

When did everyone start pumping and storing breastmilk? Our LO is 2 weeks old and I have not really pumped and saved anything. Should I start pumping after she feeds to have some on hand? Or is this something I should have already been doing?

Stacyc625

you can pump a little whenever you want. however i would be cautious of giving the baby a bottle until your BFing is down cold with no problems. once baby's get bottles they don't have to work as hard and a lot of them refuse the breasts after that. They say to wait to introduce a bottle until 4-6 weeks. however that is your call.

you can pump and freeze the milk for later. the lansinoh freezer bags are great. you can combine milk within a 24hr period and freeze.

be careful not to pump too much- once or twice a day after nursing is ok- but don't feel the need to pump too much because it can really screw with your supply.

cubsfan1

Oh yeah I am not looking to introduce the bottle until 5 weeks or later...but I am just starting to slightly freak out about not having any stored supply come then...or come 3 months when she is in daycare...

Stacyc625

No worries. i know alot of moms who initially freaked out about storing milk and then went back to work and pumped there and made MORE than enough for the next day at daycare. so if you are planning on pumping when you return to work that is totally an option. of course if you go that route you will want to do a test run about a week before and pump during the times your baby will eat at daycare to see how your body responds to the pump, etc. GL!

cubsfan1

Yes, I definitely plan on pumping when I go back to work! I have so much to learn before then! Thanks for all the helpful advice...you have calmed my premature freak-out...for now at least

Stacyc625

you are welcome. trust me this whole BF'in/pumping thing takes a little bit of time to build your confidence- but once you are more confident you will see how everything falls into place. And when you have blips- this board is WONDERFUL!!  Enjoy.

clothdiapermomma

I started right away. My DD started coming to work with me at 2wks. So I needed to get one going.

applecider

I wouldn't work on your stash right away.  You can pump just to see how it goes though.  I started pumping and doing occasional bottles at 2 weeks because I wasn't comfortable breastfeeding in public.

At 2 weeks, I was only able to pump 1-2 oz at a time (because a newborn only eats a couple oz at a time).  A 3 month old baby will proably eat 4-5 oz at a time, so I would wait for another month before starting.  At 2 months I'm able to get 5-6 oz when I pump at work.