Returning to work- pumping questions

July18Bride

I am returning to work in 2 weeks...with DS1, breastfeeding didn't quite work out very well and I was only working part time- so I am new to this working full time/exclusively breastfeeding situation. 

I know it is best to pump whenever LO were to eat, but that would mean I would have to pump 4 times in one work day since he eats 3 oz every 2 hours (I work 9 hour days). I really do not think it will be possible for me to step away that many times a day. Is it possible I would get enough needed for 4 bottles while only pumping 3 times? I also got the hands free bra and car adapter to pump on my way to work- but that still leaves one pump/feeding session needed to stay with the rule of feeding and pumping at the same time.

I also got a cooler to transport the bottles to/from day care and a planet wise wet bag to transport my pump parts. Is there anything else I should get in preparation? I am a little anxious about this transition- I worry if my supply will keep up with DS's needs.   

BE2008

1
Have you started pumping at home yet? It's a good idea to start a little earlier. After LO finishes feeding, trying pumping for 5to10 minutes it'll trick your body into thinking it needs to make a little more at each session... This can help you drop a pumping session at work longterm.
2 not something else to buy persay, but i recommend bringing a picture of LO and an outfit that smells like LO in a ziplock. In the early stages of pumping your body may be resistant to let down milk without LO there, these items can help you think about LO which will make it easier.

christinak22

You could definitely try to do fewer sessions and see if you still get enough. I was able to do that with my DS, but I know some people need to stay on the same schedule or their bodies get confused and produce less. I could hold off and pump 9 oz at one time, two times/day. It was awesome

I don't think you need anything more than what you have other than an ice pack to put in the cooler with the bottles. And you might want to use the bags instead of bottles if you think you might build up a supply--you'll run out of bottles quickly. 

MsCrispy

I would start pumping now, like pp said. Just pump about 15 minutes after some of your LO's feedings. It will help build up your supply and a stash before you go back to work.

Your storage system sounds good. For the pump parts, I actually put everything in the cooler in between pumping sessions, then I didn't need to wash them during the day. I just wiped them off and threw them in the cooler.

Pump as often as you can at work. I pumped 3 times a day and still came up short. I added a pumping session in the middle of the night to make up for it. I didn't respond well to the pump, so not all woman have to do that.

rockychryslerb2010

When I first went back, I did two pumping sessions, and I got more than enough for E. I was able to drop down to one sessions as E started eating solids.

E nursed from each side every 2 hrs, so I pumped both sides every four hours, and easily got 4-5 oz each side.  You'll have to find what works for you, but I wouldn't go more than 4 hrs.  You will start to feel full, uncomfortable, and I would leak.  Also, every oz adds up.  You can combine bottles and save oz and combine a few days worth to make a full 3oz bottle.  My daily schedule made it hard to have an exact scheduled, but my day looked like this:

6am - nurse one side, pump the other

9am-10am - pump both sides

1-2pm - pump both sides

5-6pm - marathon nursing session (I always tried to come home full so we could reconnect after the day. I loved this session and it was the last one we weaned at 14 months)

I never needed a full 30 min to pump, I could travel to our mother's room and pump and was back at my desk 20 min later.

To save time during pumping sessions, you can store your pump parts in a ziploc container in the fridge.  I brought home the used parts to wash at night.  

 

2chatter

I always aimed for oversupply before returning to work - so that meant lactation cookies, fenugreek, mmt and pumping after nursing.  It made it easier to not have the stress about the supply issues I might have had otherwise.  I pumped 3X a day for a while, then dropped to 2X a day around 10 months or so.  I used a manual pump exlusively, and when I had great supply could pump both sides in about 12 minutes.  I had to pump longer when my supply lagged.

shannm

I was able to meet supply and have extra with only two pumping sessions. Once my supply dipped, I had a good freezer stash to make up the difference. I made it a year with my DD, and was only pumping about thirty minutes each work day.

kanga1622Wed220857

I pumped 4 times a day as DS took 4 bottles while at daycare. I got to work early and pumped before starting my day (my commute is like 10 blocks so no car time to pump). Then I pumped during an elongated morning break, shortened lunch break, and elongated afternoon break.

 

Then DS ate almost immediately after I got home. 

DCMerged

I nursed my baby twice in the morning (on wake up and again right before I left the house) and right when I got home. I did that so he only needed three bottles during the day when I was gone, so I only had to pump three times at work. Can you do something like that? It also helped to make sure baby was hungry and ready to nurse when I got home to have the last bottle no later than 2 or 2.5 hours before I got home. All this is to maximize nursing sessions and minimize pumping.

sadie+w

I pump 2x per day and get enough for 34 bottles.

I would recommend having at least three sets of pump parts, and lots of he bottles you pump into. IMO it's really nice to be able to just throw everything in the dishwasher and have the spare parts and bottles to use for the next day.