Producing enough milk to feed my baby but also try to store some as well.

crp0525

How in the world can I feed my son and also have enough milk to store some for later use? Right after I feed my baby (who is four months old) I pump using ameda electronic double pump because i read that pumpng after he feeds tells my body that I need more. When i do pump right after he feeds I barely get enough milk out to cover the bottom of the bottle I am pumping into. What I am having to do now is continue to pump tiny amounts like this and combine them all to make four ounce bottles but this takes easily 5-7 days to do. How can I produce more? Obviously if  I pump about 2-2.5 hours after I feed my baby I can easily get 3-4 ounces but my baby isnt happy at his next feeding because there isnt enough for him to get full off of (he likes the big initial flow). I know that I always will produce enough for him even if its not as easy for him to get like there would be if I didnt pump but he likes when it just is a big easy initial flow. I also am drinking a lot of water to help! Please help!

 

Also my family if pressuring me to start rice cereal. My sister and I use the same pediatrician and she says that the doctor will tell me to start cereal now. Like I said my baby is 4 months old and starting to roll and be very active. Sometimes he wants to eat ever 2 hours.. I worry about him not being full or getting enough. I know the American Academy of Pediatrics says breast milk should be all he needs for the first 6 months. And I am an RN and very anxious about starting this too soon. Also when it is time to start how to I breast feed and do cereal? Will he still be hungry every 3 hours? Whats a good way to start it? I hear people say they give cereal at night!!

 

 

ANY ADVICE?! Thanks!

sbmp10

This is my experience.  I started when DS was about a week old.  I feed him his first morning feeding and then put him in his swing.  I sit on the floor next to him and talk to him while I pump.  When I first started I would get maybe an ounce total from both sides.  Now three months later I get between 3 and 5 ounces.  I would say the key for me I think is doing it every day.  There are def. days when I don't want to pump but I know that keeping at it every morning is what has gotten me to this point.  I just hit the 200 ounce mark this morning so it can be done! (sadly DS has a milk allergy and I will be donating about 120 ounces becuase he can't have it)

crp0525

Thanks for the advice. I definitely know the feeling of not feeling like it but you're right if I keep at it I hope I can produce that much after a while! And I admit Im pretty consistent but some day we have errands to run and such but I just need to MAKE time. Thats unfortunate to hear that baby has an allergy but I think its awesome of you to donate!!! I was thinking about trying to donate some once my baby isnt only eating breast milk!! Thanks again!