Breastfeeding

Please help. I am scared about pumping (long, sorry)

Hi everyone, I usually lurk but I need some guidance. I tried to break it down so if you only have advice about certain parts you don't have to read this ungodly long post. =)

 I was going to wait to go back to work because pumping isn't as easy as I thought it would be for me, I was very lucky that breastfeeding came very natural to me and my baby so it was a surprise to me when I did not feel that ease with pumping. But my boss just called and made me an offer I can not refuse, he said if I would come back to work even just a few days a week and take a pay cut for awhile he would pay for my schooling then come work for him full time of course. We also could use a bit more income coming in. 

 My job is only 6 hour shifts but school would be from 9am to 5 pm at least 3 days a week. It would be like going back to work full time between the two and I am panicking about being away from her that long. I know that it is more important to do this so I can keep a roof over her head and healthy food on the table than my selfishness of wanting to be with her all day but I worry about her even when I only leave for a few hours and I know she is in the capable hands of our family.

 Some of my Fears:

 I am afraid to create and over supply while building a stash and I am afraid my supply will drop once I go back to work. And I am afraid I wont be able to build up a big enough supply before I go back since this is so short notice (No dates have actually been set yet). I fear work and school won't let me pump. And I fear my lack knowledge about pumping (and I have read so many websites).


Right now I pump only once in the morning to start building a stash and I stopped for awhile because I noticed my supply increased and I saw some green poo which seemed to be because she wasn't getting enough hind milk. I started to block feed and it went away. I pumped again this morning since I panicked about my stash after they called and I got 3 oz where if I used a heating pack I could get 3-5oz a boob before. 

-To build a stash should I continue pumping in the morning or should I increase the amount of times I pump?

- If I pump more to build a stash when should I? Do I have to worry about E not getting enough while feeding because she cluster feeds a lot as it is (I think many times its just for comfort because she will take nothing but my boob)

- How did you figure out how much you baby eats? I left for a few hours today and she took 3 oz and then almost another 3 about 15 min. later. Is that okay or normal?

-I am scared my supply will drop. How do I make sure it doesn't? I want to pump during the day but breastfeed when ever I am with her, I love breastfeeding and I want to hit a year at least which is why I am panicking.

-Will a cooler work to keep my pumped milk during an 8 or 9 hour day?

-How long should I be pumping? Until the flow of my milk stops?

-Will I have a problem breastfeeding if I create an oversupply by accident?

-What if they don't give me a break to pump during work or at school?

- I know I am forgetting some questions so please give me all of your wisdom and tell me everything and anything that may or may not help me!

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Re: Please help. I am scared about pumping (long, sorry)

  • Don't be afraid of pumping.  You're not going to create monster boobs or increase your supply that dramatically, IMO.  I have been building a stash and providing enough for 1 bottle a day for LO since he was ~3 wks.  I pump after he feeds in the morning, usu 7AM.  If my H gives a bottle, I pump as soon after he gives the bottle as possible unless it is the bedtime bottle and then I wait until just before I go to bed. 

    When I started pumping to build the stash, I began pumping morning and before my bedtime(~9PM).  I've recently dropped the 9PM pumping(unless DH puts LO to bed) b/c it became inconvenient.  I get 3-5 oz total each time I pump. I usu pump 15 min, that's all I have patience for.

    All of the info I've read says that BF babies eat ~25-35 oz per day.  If there is an LC nearby, you can do a weighted feeding where you weigh LO before eating and then right after to determine how much she is getting each feed.   If this isn't possible, check out the kellymom website for a calculator to determine how much to give each feed.  My LO usu eats 3 oz and occasionally will polish off 4 oz.  6 oz seem a bit on the high side to me from what I've read.

    A cooler with some ice packs should keep the BM cool enough for 8 hrs.  I have a Medela PIS and was given the cooler bag and ice pack to go with it.  Medela says this method of storage should be fine 6-8 hrs.

    I can't help you with school.  You should discuss with your instructor to see if you can arrive late or leave early from class.  I can't imagine they'd give you a hard time.  

    HTH!

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