How do I get a freezer stash?

Rinny22 · December 2010

I EBF, and only pumped at the beginning to help my milk come in (it took almost 10 days) and my LO had a tongue tie, so I was pumping and bottle feeding until we sorted that out...

Anyhow, I want to get a freezer stash going. I'm a SAHM for now, but would still like the freedom to go out and leave DS with DH for a bit...how do I start pumping now? LO eats every 3 hours during the day and 4-5 at night. Last night, he only ate on one side before he fell asleep, so I pumped on the other side for 10 mins. and only got 1 oz.! That seems like nothing! I know LO must be getting more than that as he's gaining well...any tips on how I can up my supply enough to pump a freezer stash? any tips would be much appreciated!!

CarolinaLady529 · December 2010

I find that I get the most when I pump in the morning. I usually wait a half hour to an hour after LO feeds her first feeding of the day. Since you're EBF, its normal to only get around 1 oz. when you pump since you're just essentially pumping extra (as compared to skipping a nursing session and pumping instead.)

sweetfern · December 2010

I never responded well to the pump, so the only way I was able to build up a stash-if you can call 30 oz a stash-was to save each little bit I pumped throughout the day. At about 3 weeks pp, I would be able to collect an ounce in one day and I would put that in the freezer. Around 6 weeks, I could put away around 2 ounces in a day. Eventually I got to the point of being able to collect 4-6 ounces in a day, but it wasn't until DD was about 3 months old. Even away from DD, I could only get 3-3.5 oz a pump session.

FraggleRockin247 · December 2010

Pump every day!! Every bit will help. Also pump at the same time if you can so your body can learn to make more at that time.

EllaSmella · December 2010

I am in the process of building my freezer stash right now. I started out by adding a pumping session an hour after our morning feeding session. I pump both breasts at the same time and usually get 2.5 oz (combined) from this session. Sometimes, if LO only nurses on one breast in the morning, I will pump the other breast right after he feeds and then pump the other breast an hour later. I usually get slightly more this way.

My goal is to get 2.5 oz minimum per day to freeze. If I get less than 2.5 oz at my morning session, I add another pumping session later in the day to make up for it. Don't worry about only getting 1 oz - my supply often varies from day to day anywhere from 1 oz to 3 oz.. If your LO is gaining, you're doing great and your supply will adjust as your body gets used to the added pumping session. You can also continue pumping for a couple minutes after your milk stops flowing to help stimulate your supply.

I've been doing this routine for about three weeks now and have about 50 oz frozen. I hope to have about 100 - 150 oz frozen before I go back to work on March 1st. I also hold out a couple oz. from freezing every couple days for him to take via the bottle, so he stays comfortable with eating from both the breast and the bottle.

darabeth1281 · December 2010

I started pumping at about 3 weeks pp. I pumped every morning after LO ate, to stimulate my body to produce more milk. Within about 2 weeks I was able to get about 2-2.5 oz extra just after feeding LO. I did this every day I was off on mat leave, plus every once in a while I tried to throw in an extra pumping session. When I went back to work I had almost 200 oz stored up. I used probably about 20 oz along with what I pumped at work until the daycare and I got the kinks worked out. But haven't touched my stash since. It's nice knowing it's there as a little security blanket.

How do I get a freezer stash?

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