Another pumping question

amiserip

I learned a little bit more from a previous question, but still have some more:

1) When should I start building a supply?

2) How long and what time of day do I pump?  More than once a day or just once, and after a feeding?

3) If I get a little bit from pumping, but it's not enough for a feeding, can I pump again the next day and add it to the older milk to make a full feeding's worth?  I'm not sure if that is safe or not. 

pekingduck

Hi..I had the same questions when I first started out!

 1) Milk can last a long time frozen (6months), so it's good to start building a supply now, especially if you're just starting out, as at first you might not pump as much milk after a feeding, and might take longer to build a supply.

2) I pump in the morning after my baby's first morning feed, as you're milk is at it's peak in the morning, so you'll pump more oz. I also started pumping at night. It truly depends on you...if you want to really up your milk production, some pump after every feeding.

3) I do pump and add my milk to the milk I pumped earlier that day ..however, adding to the next day's milk...good question, but I'm not sure!

Hope this helps! Take a look at kellymom.com...also very helpful. I also bought the book the mother's nursing companion, and find it very helpful!

sugabooga

you can add cold milk to cold milk. Don't add freshly pumped milk straight into the one already refrigerated, refrigerate it first then combine. Also you should go by the oldest/ earliest collection date as far as expiration.

medela website has a guideline list as far as storing etc that I printed out and have on my fridge