Pumping

DRockH

So I am breastfeeding (yay #1) and finally getting to the point where my nipples are not in pain, etc (sorry for TMI, yay #2), but I am trying to figure out this whole pumping thing... Charlie has gotten the latch down great and we are doing well with the whole feeding every 2-3 hours, etc, but like last night she slept for 5 hours straight (yay #3), so when I woke up to feed her, I was so engorged on both sides, so I pumped for a few minutes after I fed her and only got like 1.5 ounces out of the one I didn't feed her on and like 1/2 an ounce on the one I did feed her on. Granted I didn't really pump that long, but I am curious as to how much I should be getting out of  full breast. 

Also, What did you ladies do when you started to pump after bfing? Would you do it after every feeding? would you do it only a few times a day? Seeing as though I am going back to work after 8 weeks off, and she will be going to daycare, I wanted to get some BM frozen for her, so I thought I would start pumping now? 

What makes sense? HELP?! I am obviously not sure how to do this..

jerseygirl81

I can't really help you with the whole idea of when to start pumping to build a stash, but 1-2oz is probably about right for this point in time. Your production will continue to go up as long as you're feeding/pumping regularly. I don't remember when my production peaked, but it was well past the 12 week mark. As she gets bigger and starts eating more your supply will adjust to meet her needs (ideally, anyway!).

Good luck!

margauxa1

1-2 oz at first is totally normal. I am up to 4-5 oz with my first pump and then my second or third pump gets 2-3 oz.  I am trying to pump around 2-3 times a day, but have found it really difficult to do immediately after I feed Lila. She sleeps through the night and generally her first feeding is at 7:00/7:30 but I don't end up pumping until 9:00 or 10:00 because I'm taking care of her!  I try to get a pump in around 1:00 or 2:00 and then again in the evening.  However, this rarely is the case! 

 

Meg41208

2oz sounds like a great amount for this point.  

As far as pumping for the freezer stash, I tried to pick a consistent time of day to pump after feeding.  The first "morning" feeding (the one after we got up for the day) seemed like the best time in terms of milk production and general stress/exhaustion level, and she generally would sleep for awhile after that feeding so I had time where I could put her down (in the swing) to do so.   

sistrkate

Do you have access to an LC (lactation consultant) either through your pedi, or the hospital where you delivered?  The LC at my pediatrician's office was instrumental in getting me off to a good start with pumping, both to supplement BFing (not gaining weight fast enough), and then building up a stash.

Since my DS wasn't gaining weight fast enough in the early weeks, I pumped after every feeding.  I usually pumped both sides to stimulate my production, but eventually I was able to pump on just the breast that he wasn't nursing from.   Also, you'll want to pump until no more milk is coming out to make sure you're empty (helps avoid clogged ducts/mastitis, etc.).  For me, in the early days like you are, a typical pumping session was about 15 minutes or so.

I think it is a great idea for you to start pumping now to build your stash.  You'll want to introduce a bottle soon too, probably.  I waited too long to do that with my younger DS and he refused any and all bottles.  Just wanted the boob.

AmandaAndJason09

The amount you pump is directly related to the amount LO is eating right now. For example, in the beginning, I could only pump 1.5-2 ounces. But now, at 6 weeks, I can pump 3-3.5 out of a breast when it's full, and that's about what he eats at each feeding. But if you are worried, definitely work with an LC.

seghibs

That sounds about right for your LO age and pumping. 

This is what I did to pump. I just want to note that I never had any issues with supply/oversupply and if you do/did, I don't know if this would be the best way.

- From 2 weeks until LO was 1.5 months I would pump 30 minutes after my morning feeding (I said any feeding after 6am).  Then I would pump again at night before bed, DH gave LO a bottle of breastmilk after 3 weeks before bed.

- At about 6 weeks pp, LO started sleeping through the night 90% of the time, I would get up in the middle of the night and pump.

- At about 2.5 months I stopped pumping during the night (I needed sleep) and instead would get up around 6am when DH got up for work and pump before LO woke up.  I would pump for about 5-10 minutes and not drain either breast.  Then I would nurse when LO woke up. 

I had quite a large stash of BM by doing above.  I would say I really started to have some to freeze around 8 weeks.  I also would pump if I ever missed a feeding.  I wasn't comfortable NIP so I would pump in these situations when I got home (or in my car if I was gone for a long time).  I also always fed from both sides and always pumped both sides.