Feeding Schedule & Pumping question

heathb21

I was just curious when they start going more than 3 hours between feedings.  Or will it always be every 3 hours?  Mine are currently eating about 2 to 2 1/2 oz per feeding.  I'm pumping for them every 2 hours.  Luckily I'm pumping more than they are eating, so I can stock pile some.  Of course my mom is like, well, why don't you just pump less, but I'm too worried about keeping my supply up, for when they are eating more.  And I would much rather have too much than not enough!  I currently get about 1.5 to 3.5 oz per side each time.  Is that normal for right now?  Will it continue to go up?  At some point can I decrease how often I pump?  I am so happy that I do have milk, but between pumping every 2 hours and feeding every 3, I feel like all I do is pump, feed, change diapers, pump, clean up, feed, pump, etc, etc.  I know, I know, I went from being an incubator to being a milk machine!

MarcieCasavant

Your supply sounds  good for where you're at.I would def.not slow down the pumping as you don't know what their needs will be. You want to jack it up for a while then see where their needs are at before you decrease. Stock up while you can. -Marcie

laceymb

Mine have just started to go about 4 hours between each feeding at night. It still varies between 3-4 hours during the day. I think it varies a lot depending on your babies though as far as when they will go longer between feedings.

I think your supply sounds good. I started pumping every three hours. I have slacked off of that lately because I have a huge freezer stash. Now I don't keep track of how long its been since I pumped last I just pump when I feel like I'm getting full or if I start to leak. Your supply will continue to increase as long as the babies continue to need more food and you are bf or pumping as often as they feed.

seattlestef

It sounds like you are doing great pumping!  Do you have a hands free bra yet? I cut slits into a sports bra so I could pump hands free and play online - this made it so much better! For the first two weeks I was just sitting there holding the cones- ugh!

Also, my girls are still eating every 3 hours, but are just at the 40 week mark. The nutritionist told us it will continue that way for awhile since Elise was IUGR and is trying to gain weight - she is just about 6.5 lbs now.

Keep up the good work!!

lib1978

We did 3 hours during the day up until about a month ago.  For my boys it seemed to get them to sleep longer stretches at night.  I was able to BF them so I would pump after each feeding during the day.

I did feel like after a couple of weeks the boys were able to "tell" me what they wanted their schedule to be. 

 The first few weeks can be a blur - you are doing great!

 

copwife08

sounds like you are doing awesome so far. My guys are still going 2-3 hours between feedings during the day and 6-8 hours at night. I would not recommend pumping less. You can freeze what you don't use for 3-6 months (depending on what type of freezer you have). I know it seems like alot right now but when they get a little bigger you can stretch your pumping sessions to every 3-4 hours (after your supply is established).

MNheidi

If you're not stressed about pumping every 2 hrs, I'd keep it up until you have a really nice freezer full (we actually bought a deep freeze).  Eventually, you'll need your sanity back and then pumping when they eat will be fine. 

reminder - mark your frozen stuff.  It's best to give them the freshest stuff (your body know what their bodies need RIGHT now and it changes as they grow) but eventually, you'll need to start using that stuff.

good luck, I pumping for 6mos.  

heathb21

Thanks everyone!  I will keep up the pumping every two hours!! 

Skatcat

Ditto the others. I know it is a lot of work, but these first few weeks are crucial in getting your supply going for two hungry babies. Are you nursing as well? if so, awesome, because babies are far more efficient at taking milk than a pump.

That is great that you are producing so well!  Believe me, nothing is more stressful than not producing enough milk, so you are doing awesome! Good job, mommy!