How/when to start pumping

CactusGirl · August 2011

I am breaking out my breastpumP today and want to pump once a day to slowly start building up my supply in the freezer. Normally LO eats on one side every two hours. So to start, should I pump right after she eats? Should I pump both breasts or just the one she didn't eat from? I am totally new to this and I don't even know if it is possible, but I don't want to take all the milk before her next feeding. Any advice is helpful, thanks!

KahlansMom · August 2011

I'm definitely no expert in this, but I too feed from one breast every 2-3 hours, so here is my MO. I pump the opposite one I feed with immediately after feeding, when she's off in sleepy land. I try to alternate breasts, but sometimes when LO is really hungry, I just choose the breast that feels fullest to feed with, and then pump the less full one. I can normally get 3-5 oz. per pump session, but sometimes I don't pump until dry, just in case she decides it's time for a cluster feed. I worry too about pumping it all, and then not having enough for her if she wakes up early. Good luck! It's a good feeling starting your stash, it makes me feel a lot more prepared just in case something happens

Kellina · August 2011

For both kids, I pumped both breasts about 1hr after a morning feed- like 8-9ish. They both were one boob nursers, but I always just did both.

Don't worry about there being enough- many times I ended up feeding 15 min after pumping!! Baby can always get more out!

I had a pretty good freezer stash when I went back to work! About 100+oz!

tolicakes · August 2011

Don't worry about not having enough. Your breasts are constantly producing milk and are never completely empty. I have pumped a full session before, only to have to nurse DS as soon as I was done, and he was satisfied.

I usually feed both sides, but if I were you I'd pump the side LO didn't nurse from.

Gummybear · August 2011

Kellina:
For both kids, I pumped both breasts about 1hr after a morning feed- like 8-9ish. They both were one boob nursers, but I always just did both.
Don't worry about there being enough- many times I ended up feeding 15 min after pumping!! Baby can always get more out!
I had a pretty good freezer stash when I went back to work! About 100+oz!

This! I pump after the second feed on the day, around 9 AM.

katcarls · August 2011

Kellina:
For both kids, I pumped both breasts about 1hr after a morning feed- like 8-9ish. They both were one boob nursers, but I always just did both.
Don't worry about there being enough- many times I ended up feeding 15 min after pumping!! Baby can always get more out!
I had a pretty good freezer stash when I went back to work! About 100+oz!

I did the same thing. You can usually get the most when pumping after your first feeding of the day. Don't worry about not having enough. The pump isn't as good at draining the breast and you are always producing more milk.

Don't worry about not being able to pump much at first either. Right now your body is making milk based on your baby's demand, so there probably won't be a lot extra. Eventually it will increase with continued pumping but don't expect to get a ton. It doesn't mean you have low supply either, so don't worry about that.

Here is a link with some info on pumping.

tokenhoser · August 2011

When I started, I just pumped both breasts about half an hour to an hour after he ate, hopefully during his morning nap. I'd get more out of the one he didn't eat from, but an ounce is an ounce and I'd always get some from the side he did eat from.

Now, I pump at night after he goes down for his long sleep and before I go to bed. I'm only trying to freeze a little or keep some in the fridge for times I'm away, so one session a day (or every few days) is enough for me.

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How/when to start pumping

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