help with understanding bf/pumping schedule?

kmm2150 · July 2011

I'm due in January, and hope to breastfeed for at least 6 months or so but ideally the first year, but will also have to go back to work fairly soon after the baby comes. I've been trying to wrap my head around how much I'll have to pump at work, and can't seem to figure it out. I know I'll have to do it a lot at first, but when/how do you phase this out? I know that's technically up to me and when I want to stop bfing, but if anyone can share what they did, how often they pumped at first vs. at 6 months vs. a year, that would be very helpful!

tokenhoser · July 2011

In the beginning, you'll need to pump every 2-3 hours - for a lot of people, that means feed the baby just before work, pump at 10 am (coffee), 12 pm (lunch), 2 or 3 pm (coffee) and then when you pick up the baby.

How things work vary for each woman and baby. It's hard to predict how much milk you'll get at a session, how much your baby will drink, etc. Hopefully you'll have a few weeks off so you can get your supply going with nursing before you have to go back to work.

kmm2150 · July 2011

Oh, yeah, I'll definitely be off for about a month, and then will likely work from home/come in part time for a while, so hopefully that'll give me enough time to get a routine down, and to get used to pumping, before I'm back full time. I just haven't been able to find anything that really helps me imagine how much I'll be pumping, and the idea of pumping 3 times a day at work for a year is a little overwhelming!

tokenhoser · July 2011

If you get a double pump and a handsfree bra, it's really not that bad. You can keep pump parts in a lunch bag in the fridge rather than washing every time, and then you just sit and read or play on the internet (or work!) for 15-20 minutes 3 x a day.

kmm2150 · July 2011

That's true, and would be very doable at work. I guess I'm just wondering if people pumped the same amount at work up until they stopped altogether, or if there is a point earlier on, similarly to a baby needing to feed less frequently, that you can also pump less frequently.

dharvey29 · July 2011

tokenhoser:
If you get a double pump and a handsfree bra, it's really not that bad. You can keep pump parts in a lunch bag in the fridge rather than washing every time, and then you just sit and read or play on the internet (or work!) for 15-20 minutes 3 x a day.

A friend of mine just used an old sports bra and cut slits in it for the flanges (or whatever they're called). When pumping at work I just lean the end of the flanges up against a desk and used my hands for other things.

I am also trying to transition out of pumping. I was doing 3 times per day, then we had to start supplementing DD with formula at daycare, but I would still nurse for her at-home feedings. This took some pressure off me to pump SO much, so I went down to twice a day, which slowly began to decrease my supply. Now I'd like to reduce my pumping time but still continue to BF at home a couple times per day. I'm not sure if my breasts will adjust to the new schedule (once in the morning, twice in the evening), or if I will continue to lose production and completely dry up!

kmm2150 · July 2011

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful! I know tons of people do it, I've just had visions of spending more than half my workday stuck pumping, and I know you can do it hand's free but you can't exactly go to a meeting, or have coworkers coming in and out of your office!! I feel a little less overwhelmed by this now.

ABizzity · July 2011

I pumped at 9am, 12pm and 3pm until LO was 6mo. After 6mo, I cut it back to 10am and 2pm.

wannja01 · July 2011

I pump three times a day but sometimes two if I have a busy day. I went back after 3 months so my supply was well established. I would do at least 3 times a day for awhile. I use nursing bras and a double electric pump. I only pump about ten minutes each session so I do not feel as if I am pumping all day.

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