When/how did you start pumping to prep for back to work?

sweetkakes419

DS is 2 and a half weeks old, and I will be going back to work in 8 more weeks.  I want to start pumping to get a little freezer stash ready for the first few days.  I'm really nervous about getting enough stashed for the first day back.  Also, DH and I have a wedding to attend the weekend before I go back to work so I will need some BM for then too.

Is there a best time of day to start doing this since he still needs to eat all day too?  Do I need to pump the same time every day after that?  I have the Lansinoh pump and will be boiling the parts today to get everything ready.  Any other tips for prepping for back to work?

TIA!

madhatter2003

You will be FINE.

It really depends on what works for you. I was always really 'full' in the mornings, so I added a session then for the 2 weeks before I came back to work. I did pump at roughly the same time each day, sort of between to feedings.

Since you'll need milk for the wedding and such I'd just start when you are ready...you'll hit the 3 week growth spurt soon so don't drive yourself crazy. But add a session when you can just to get used to pumping, etc.

BriAndSean

I was right around 3 weeks PP when I started pumping. I would pump immediately after her "first" feeding of the day. That was my fullest time of day which made pumping much quicker/easier. I would try to be somewhat consistent about when you pump because your body does adjust to the demands. Since you are getting such an early start, you should be just fine

tosababy

I started when tosatoddler was about 4 weeks old and pumped once a day during his morning nap.  Then, we tried to give him a bottle each evening, and I pumped then too.  That morning nap time helps build your supply early in the day, which is when you have the most milk anyway, so it's getting you ready to pump during the day at work and have enough.

tosababy

Also, it is best to pump at or around the same time every day so that your body gets used to that being a normal feeding time and your supply adjusts accordingly.

flyer23

When I was on leave, I pumped each night and gave a bottle, just to keep DD used to taking it. Especially in the early weeks, I often pumped more than she needed to eat, so I could save the excess.

Also, like madhatter, I found that I had a lot more milk in the mornings. DD usually nursed both sides, but in the mornings, it wasn't uncommon for her to be satisfied after just one side. So I'd pump the other side.

You don't HAVE to do it at the same time every day. Like with the morning pump I mentioned, some mornings I just didn't have time, so then I'd skip it, no problem. But if you CAN be consistent, your body will get the message to make more milk at that time, which will make pumping easier.

But I also want to second what madhatter said: You will be FINE! I see so many women stress about pumping while on leave... please, DON'T It goes by sooooooooooooo fast, so make sure you're enjoying your baby, not worrying about pumping! The pumping will work itself out, promise.

arob2009

BriAndSean:

I was right around 3 weeks PP when I started pumping. I would pump immediately after her "first" feeding of the day. That was my fullest time of day which made pumping much quicker/easier. I would try to be somewhat consistent about when you pump because your body does adjust to the demands. Since you are getting such an early start, you should be just fine

This, exactly.  I also pumped 1st thing in teh morning on weekends.  I have been back to work a month & haven't been able to keep up with his eating by pumping at work, but haven't needed to supplement.  Although I am down to about 10 servings.  We are going to have to start supplementing soon. :0(