Pumping questions

karinothing

 I don't have to return to work for 6 months. Up until now I have not pumped. I was wondering if there is a good time to start pumping (I assumed at 8 weeks when my supply was established). I know that I refused to take a bottle and I would prefer this not to happen with DS since he has to go to daycare at 6 months. Theoretically I don't have to introduce a bottle a few weeks before I return to work, but I was thinking that at 5 months he might be less likely to take to a bottle.

So, i guess what I am asking is...is there an ideal month/week to start pumping or introducing a bottle? 

Also, I was thinking that DH could give him one bottle a day to get him used to it. Is there a time of day that is best for this? And how often should one pump? After every feeding day and night?

tosababy

I started at 4 weeks, but I was going back at 12.

I think you should probably start now.  Pump just once a day, about an hour after baby's morning feeding. That should help build your supply (essentially you're training your body to add a feeding then, which also helps you get more in the morning once you're pumping at work).

Then, you'll also pump if/when baby takes a bottle at night (to replace that feeding).  

I think you should start doing a bottle a day now. If baby takes it well, you could just do it 3-4 times a week.  So you'd pump in the morning every day, but only give the bottle in the evening some time a few days a week and pump to replace those feedings too.

 

tyke29

tosababy:

I started at 4 weeks, but I was going back at 12.

I think you should probably start now.  Pump just once a day, about an hour after baby's morning feeding. That should help build your supply (essentially you're training your body to add a feeding then, which also helps you get more in the morning once you're pumping at work).

Then, you'll also pump if/when baby takes a bottle at night (to replace that feeding).  

I think you should start doing a bottle a day now. If baby takes it well, you could just do it 3-4 times a week.  So you'd pump in the morning every day, but only give the bottle in the evening some time a few days a week and pump to replace those feedings too.

This.  And having a statsh built up really helps returning to work stress. 

Mrs.Handy

tosababy:

I started at 4 weeks, but I was going back at 12.

I think you should probably start now.  Pump just once a day, about an hour after baby's morning feeding. That should help build your supply (essentially you're training your body to add a feeding then, which also helps you get more in the morning once you're pumping at work).

Then, you'll also pump if/when baby takes a bottle at night (to replace that feeding).  

I think you should start doing a bottle a day now. If baby takes it well, you could just do it 3-4 times a week.  So you'd pump in the morning every day, but only give the bottle in the evening some time a few days a week and pump to replace those feedings too.

 

This is a good plan. I always pumped in the morning during DS morning nap. Once a day should be plenty. Sometimes I skipped a day if I was busy and it worked out fine.

DS took to a bottle very easily and switched back and forth from bottle to boob.

karinothing

Thanks ladies! For some reason pumping really stresses me out.

tosababy

Pumping can be very frustrating. I took a separate pumping and storing class at my hospital when I was pregnant and really learned a lot.  That info and the confidence that came from knowing what I was doing got me through over a year of pumping with my son and now 4 months with my daughter.

I would encourage you to look for a class like that to go over all the ins and out, but you're always welcome to ask questions here (or feel free to message me on fb, kari).  I hope everything goes smoothly.

karinothing

Thanks Tosa! I didn't realize such classes existed. I shall look into them.