Told I need to start pumping...Need the basics

Vincent · June 2011

So LO turned 5 weeks yesterday and I saw the LC because I was experiencing some discomfort when breastfeeding (My OB/GYN phone diagnosed it as Mastitis, the Visiting Nurse thought it was Raynaud's Syndrome). LC actually said it was neither and it appears to be an over-supply, overactive let-down syndrome, She said it will come in handy when I get ready to pump since I seem to have more milk than LO can take in. Which brings me to questions.

LC said since I'll be going back to work, I really should introduce LO to the bottle before 6 weeks. She recommended that I pump 15 minutes (I'm renting a hospital pump) 1 hour after nursing. Then substitute 1 nursing session with DH feeding with 1 oz of pump milk to start daily. What's the best was to store breast milk for the bottle session DH will be using and to start building my supply? I haven't talked with daycare to see what they recommend. I thought I could give them one big container for the day and have them divide out but then I read some places don't like that, so I'll need to verify with them.

In the meantime, does it make sense to store in smaller containers? Should all go in the deep freezer, freezer, leave some in the refrigerator for DH? When I start to pump more than 1 time daily, can I mix the milk from the pumping sessions as long as they are within the same day or is each session stored separately? I'm looking at the storing bags that I received as samples and it seems to store a lot so I'm confused as to how I should start. Are they messing to use? Has anyone heard of storing containers that freeze in 1 oz tubes, similar to ice trays for water bottles (saw it in a baby magazine but can't find it online). Appreciate your feedback for a first time pumper. Thanks

ninafarina · June 2011

Check out the kellysmom website - it has great information about storing breast milk

I have an overactive let-down and high supply as well, and I work full time, so this is what I do- Before i returned to work what ever I pumped I froze in the storage bags (2-4 oz max and lay flat to freeze), but I also made sure to leave at least 4-6 oz in the fridge just in case (just rotate - when you pump more, put what was in the fridge into the freezer) Doing this I built up a pretty good stash

Now that I am back to work this is what my day looks like - Nurse on demand when I am home (DD usually goes to bed between 8-9) I pump after she goes to bed, before I do (nurse if and when she wakes through the night) I then nurse if she wakes before I leave for work (6am) other wise DH gives her a bottle. I pump every 2-4 hrs at work, depending on how I feel, usually resulting in about 15-20 oz by the time I am done at 3.

I make sure there is a minimum of 20oz in the refridgerator for while I'm at work - whatever surplus goes in the freezer.

I dont do daycare yet, but the couple we have looked at prefer separate bottles for each feeding, so I would send it split up and have them keep some in the freezer just in case.

Sorry this was so long - hope it helps

Vincent · June 2011

ninafarina:
Check out the kellysmom website - it has great information about storing breast milk

I will check the website. Thank you

ninafarina:
put what was in the fridge into the freezer).

You can put the supply that was once in the refrigerator in the freezer? Is there a date/time cut-off? I thought the fridge supply was only good for 6 days.

Another question after reading your post. If I store say 2 ozs and it's in the fridge and LO only takes 1 oz that day, can I leave the rest in the fridge and then open it again the next day. Or once you open it, you have to use it in its entirety or throw it out?

ninafarina · June 2011

if you havent used it, then replace it with fresh milk, dont leave unused milk in the fridge if you have new pumped milk - rotate it

and yes 5-6 days in the fridge is the cut off, but there shouldnt be any reason to leave it there that long - what my LO doesnt use that day gets frozen and replaced with what I pumped

Vincent · June 2011

Ok, I understand now. Thanks for the website tip and answering my questions.

Melanie2003 · June 2011

my daycare has the parent make the bottles at home. so i bring in ready made bottles that they warm. they don't handle bm or formula - no measuring, no pouring. just feeding.

i keep bm in the fridge in the medela storage bottles i pump in to. when i have extra amounts i don't think we'll use, i transfer the bm to lansinoh storage bags and freeze it. i started freezing 2oz sizes, then 3 and now it's 4oz since that's what her bottles are. i generally keep pumped milk in the fridge for the next day's bottles, and only defrost when i am short.

kristennd · June 2011

Vincent:
Has anyone heard of storing containers that freeze in 1 oz tubes, similar to ice trays for water bottles (saw it in a baby magazine but can't find it online).

https://sensiblelines.com/

I haven't tried them but Baby Bargains did say that they spill very easily when you're putting them into the freezer.

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Told I need to start pumping...Need the basics

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