question about pumping

lpennie16

I wasn't able to BF DS due to health issues he struggled with. I am 100% dedicated to BF'ing #2 (due in October)

I am confused about when to pump. If I am BFing every two hours (approx) do I pump after each BFing session? I have a Medela Pump in Style and I want to use it to build up a freezer stash. How do I know when to stop pumping? Does the milk just stop coming out?

I'm sorry if these are dumb questions. Thanks for the help!!

katlizabeth

See a LC at the hospital when you give birth.  They will give you tips. 

But...here are my tips.  It's not recommended to pump until bfing is well established (they say like 4 weeks).  Some people do it earlier though, just telling you what is generally recommended.  Sometimes your LO will eat every 2 hours for several months, other times they spread it out.  I was always reading from ladies on here to pump an hour after a feeding, but that left me with like 30-45 min before ds wanted to eat-so that didn't work for us.  Once ds spread it out, I can easily pump an hour after a feeding.  Until that point, what I did was start pumping 45 min after I started a feeding-time for my body to produce a little more.  Most women have more milk in the morning, so some pump one side and feed off the other, or pump when they get up and then feed their LO like an hour or two later (it all depends on your LO's schedule).  If you consistently pump at the same time each day, your body will make more at that time thinking you need that to feed your LO.  Does that make sense?  Oh, and it will drive you crazy to pump after each bfing session, so maybe try 1-2 times a day.  (WAY too much work to do it while taking care of a newborn and another child!) 

I think it's recommended to pump for like 15 min??? I stop pumping when the milk stops flowing (maybe 7  min), but when you're just getting started, you may not get much milk (so be prepared for that).  If you pump beyond when the milk stops flowing, it signals your body to make more-although this will take a few days.

Oh...and if you're going to work or something that you'll want a freezer stash, it doesn't have to be huge, b/c you'll be pumping at work and getting milk to feed your LO.  Most women can pump in a day what their LO will take the next day.  

Wow, sorry I was so long winded.  Hope some of it helps!

DEBBIE33CASEY

My LC said to pump for 15-20 mns, any longer won't make a difference. its the frequency that matters