Need help - ? about pumping

stepgirl21

Can someone give me the skinny on breastmilk. Ive had to start pumping because I am engored. How long is breastmilk good:

At room temp

In the fridge

In the freezer

TIA!

cjsbdl

At this stage you do NOT want to pump if you're engorged. It will just make the problem worse. You really need to just nurse for now and leave the pumping alone for at least 3-4 weeks until your supply evens out. If you keep pumping your body will keep making more and more milk. 

If you're really umcomfortable you can hand express in the shower to get some relief, but the best thing to do is just ride it out if you can.

Good luck!

dana316

According to my pedi: 

8 hours at room temp

7 days in the fridge

6 months in the freezer

kellymom.com  needs to become your new best friend...it will teach you everything you need to know about breastfeeding and pumping...it is a great website.

 

happytracy

My LC told me to go by the 5 rule:  5 hours room temp, 5 days in  the fridge, 5 months in the freezer.

Everyone seems to get told something a little different from what I noticed.

SparklyCutie

Def kellymom.com, fabulous website. And just give yourself a little relief, if you pump, your body will be producing more and more milk, and you don't want that..well not right now! Good luck

stepgirl21

cjsbdl:

At this stage you do NOT want to pump if you're engorged. It will just make the problem worse. You really need to just nurse for now and leave the pumping alone for at least 3-4 weeks until your supply evens out. If you keep pumping your body will keep making more and more milk. 

If you're really umcomfortable you can hand express in the shower to get some relief, but the best thing to do is just ride it out if you can.

Good luck!

I have heard this. My LC suggested i start pumping b/c I literally cannot function and baby can't get latched b/c I'm so hard. So I pump just till I get a little soft for baby to latch and let him do the rest.

cjsbdl

stepgirl21:

cjsbdl:

At this stage you do NOT want to pump if you're engorged. It will just make the problem worse. You really need to just nurse for now and leave the pumping alone for at least 3-4 weeks until your supply evens out. If you keep pumping your body will keep making more and more milk. 

If you're really umcomfortable you can hand express in the shower to get some relief, but the best thing to do is just ride it out if you can.

Good luck!

Got it! Glad you're talking to an LC...they helped me SO MUCH.

And, sorry, after I replied I thought, you know she really didn't ask for advice on whether to pump or not.

I have heard this. My LC suggested i start pumping b/c I literally cannot function and baby can't get latched b/c I'm so hard. So I pump just till I get a little soft for baby to latch and let him do the rest.

dana316

The rule for managing oversupply, at least for me, was pump until comfortable, not until empty.  You don't want to stimulate more production, but you have to be able to move your arms...

If you are brick hard, pump a little off to get softened up, and then put baby to breast. You will eventually match supply to demand, and be able to stop pumping.  Oversupply is tough to manage, but it is absolutely do-able.

Also, nursing from one side only on each feeding helped us tremendously.  I was able to make sure she got plenty of hindmilk, and it helped balance out my massive oversupply. 

Good luck!

 

prazenjc

dana316:

According to my pedi: 

8 hours at room temp

7 days in the fridge

6 months in the freezer

kellymom.com  needs to become your new best friend...it will teach you everything you need to know about breastfeeding and pumping...it is a great website.

this is also what is published in baby 411, too.

 

Nicole.

dana316:

According to my pedi: 

8 hours at room temp

7 days in the fridge

6 months in the freezer

kellymom.com  needs to become your new best friend...it will teach you everything you need to know about breastfeeding and pumping...it is a great website.

this exactly!  feel better mama!