Pumping to build a stash

meryltheresa

First off all I would like to say that I hate that I even have to do this because I REALLY don't want to go back to work.  However, has anyone had to do this?  I didn't with L because by the time I started back to work he was 6 months old and my supply had tanked a few months earlier.  I don't really know what to do. 

Do I pump right after a feeding?  Or should I wait an hour and then pump?  My supply is pretty good right, and I'm afraid the pumping is going to mess everything up! (It did with L. )

TinaL99

Hm, I always thought pumping would increase your supply.  With Stella I never really had a chance to pump while I was on mat. leave.  I had an older (borrowed) pump that just wasn't working efficiently and by the time I got a new one I was back to work the next week.  With Audrey she nursed so frequently I never really even had time to pump but b/c of the constant nursing, my supply was great and somehow I have over 300oz. in my freezer right now.  I pump each morning before work and pump 3x at work.  I'm pumping more than she's eating during the day so we'll see how long that lasts!

I always get the most when I pump in the mornings.  I would wait an hour after a feeding and pump both breasts.  If that's not enough maybe add in a session before you go to bed.  I think that if you pump too much it could lead to oversupply which is a negative issue.

jnk062602

How much time do you have before you return?  I started with dd about 2 weeks before I went back to work and was ok.  What I did was pump on one side while feeding her on the other side for that first of the morning feeding.  I was the most full during the first of the morning, so that is why I did it then.  Even though she normally ate off both sides, she was ok eating off just 1 side bc you have a better let-down when you are getting double stimulation.  I would get anywhere from 2-4 ounces each day, but over 2 weeks that added up, and I continued that routine for several months.

Many people do the 20 minutes after the morning feeding instead, but I didn't because I didn't want to spend that extra time.  And I was kinda empty it seemed when I tried that.  If I had to choose though, I would do 20 minutes after a feeding rather than an hour after a feeding because I wouldn't want to be "short" for the next feeding - depending on how far apart your feedings are.

meryltheresa

Thanks girls, that's all makes sense!  I think my supply tanked with L because I went to EPing.  My nipples hurt so bad, I just felt like I couldn't EBF anymore.  Like I said, this time is SO MUCH BETTER!  So i'm hoping once I go back to work I'll be able to find a nice balance of pumping and BFing.

TinyPinkBug

I would pump on one side and nurse on the other.  I used to use a simply hand held for this and wait until the just after the first let down to start, then did just long, slow pumps.  I sometimes got as much as 8 oz off one side this way.

battybtags

I started pumping around 4-6wks before going back to work. I would do it first feeding and like others would nurse one side, pump the other. I had a HUGE stash by the time I went back-probably wont do so long this time around!