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August 2011 Moms
vstevens
member
Question for back-to-work BFers who are pumping
vstevens
member
So I'm heading back to work in a few weeks, and I'm trying to figure out this pumping business. I'm worried that I won't be able to produce enough milk during the day for LO to continue being EBF, but I'm going to try (there is a lactation room across from my office, so at least it's convenient). Questions:
For those who pumped before you went back, how did your production compare when you went back to work? Right now I'm pumping once in the morning, and I'm wondering if the yield from that session will be comparable to my sessions throughout the day at the office, or if they will be greater or less?
How many times a day do you get away to pump? Is this enough for you or do you wish you could do more?
Did you buy extra pump supplies/horns etc. to reduce washing? Is that necessary?
Any other things you wish you'd known/tips for someone starting out?
TIA!
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DS1 born 08.02.11
DS2 born 12.05.13
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Question for back-to-work BFers who are pumping
My output at work has tanked in the past few weeks. I have my own office so I can pump whenever I want and I do it 3-4x a day. When I was still at home (I came back at 8 w) I could get 5-6oz at every session, now I'm lucky if I get 3. I'm taking every supplement possible and drinking lots of water.
Sparky takes 4 bottles at daycare, but I only get 2-2.5 bottles worth by pumping at work. Prior to this week, I was waking up to pump at 11pm and then only feeding one side at his 4am wakeup and pumping the other to get enough, and was having to supplement from my freezer stash. It was really freaking stressful.I also noticed that on the weekend I wasn't making enough during the day and he was just nursing non stop and crying in hunger.
This week we started giving him one bottle of formula each day at daycare, and this has helped me maintain my total freezer stash. So each day he gets 2 bottles of fresh, one bottle of previously frozen and one bottle of formula (Baby's Only Organic). On the weekend, he'll have one formula bottle to give my boobs time to recharge in between nursing sessions, and so he will take a nap, which he previously would not because he was always hungry. It was a vicious cycle.
As far as pumping supplies, I only bring one set of hardware and 4 bottles with caps. In between sessions, I wipe out the horns with a paper towel and store them and they other parts in my cooler bag with my milk. I bring them home each night and wash them. I do have extra horns at home.
My supply has stayed the same as when I was at home. Although I didn't really pump too often until I went back to work. I have been fortunate not to have had a decrease in supply. However, as the day progresses, I produce less milk. The first time I pump at work I yield about 5-6oz. The second time I usually get around 4oz. and the third I will get between 3-4oz. I also pump before I leave for work as she doesn't eat until around 7am. And that one I get between 5-7 oz.
How many times a day do you get away to pump? Is this enough for you or do you wish you could do more? I pump 3 times a day. Every 3 hours. I find this to be plenty.
Did you buy extra pump supplies/horns etc. to reduce washing? Is that necessary? I did not buy anything extra as far as the pump parts go but I do have a ton of storage containers to pump into so that I don't have to wash them every night. I think I have a 3 day supply of them.
HTH.
I didn't pump too much at home. I would do it a little to build a supply so my husband could give her a bottle or so we would have a bottle if we were out. Now I only pump when I know she will be eating. She gets 3 sometimes 4 bottles at daycare. So I pump 3 times a day at work. Between the 3 pumping sessions I usually get 18 ounces or so. My daughter is up to 6 ounces a bottle, so that it enough for her next day's bottles. If for some reason she takes that 4th bottle at daycare then I will pump as soon as I get home. I nurse her at night and pump first thing in the morning (she pretty much STTN). My morning pump I usually get at least 14 ounces. I haven't noticed any dip in my supply. I eat oatmeal every morning (I did this prior to pregnancy, I love the stuff) and I also drink the mother's milk tea made by Traditional Medicinals. Its not bad.
As far as the extra pump parts, I only have one set. I kind of wish I had 2, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I do have extra bottles though.
GL going back to work. It's an adjustment, but I've got my routine set now.
My supply has stayed relatively consistent. Here's my routine -
feed DD at 6:30AM
pump at 8AM to catch remaining morning feeding amount (DD feeds about 10 minutes on one side, 5 minutes on other) and get around 4-5 oz total
pump at 9:30 - get around 2-3 oz total
nurse DD at 12
pump at 2 and 4:30 - get 2 oz total each time
nurse DD at 6/6:30.
So I get around 11-12 oz a day this way - DD takes around 10-11 oz from the bottle. I only pump for 10 minutes at a time. I find my supply is higher in the beginning of the week than as the week progresses probably because my pumping is not as effective as DD eating. It builds back up over the weekend because I nurse on demand. This whole week I've had one extra feeding worth in the fridge. (I use older fridge milk first).
Thanks so much ladies, this is really helpful.
SarahPlz, really good to hear that you have added in formula but are still giving breastmilk as well - I'm pretty open to doing that, and it sounds like it's working for you so that's good.
Going to check out the Mother's Milk tea - thanks for the idea...and I guess oatmeal is going on the grocery list...
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DS1 born 08.02.11
DS2 born 12.05.13
DS#1- Born August 2011
My situation is a little different because I EP. I was able to wean down to 5ish pumps per day before returning to work with no change in my supply. I have been back for 2 weeks and still going strong.
On the days I work, I work 2pm-2am, so my pumping schedule is a little odd. I pump late at night, like at midnight-1am, early morning between 6-7am, while I am getting ready for work at 12pm, then at work around 6pm and then again at midnight. On my days off, I pump more, but I have a pretty demanding job that I can't just say I'm going to pump and leave for 20min. I pump about 8oz per session.
No need to buy extra pump parts. I pump, pour the milk into storage bags, and then put the milk and my pump parts in my lunch bag in the fridge. If you are pumping frequently, then there is no need to wash between sessions. In theory, BM can stay at room temp for 6ish hours, so your pump parts can stay out at the same time range and be ok, but I still put mine in the fridge.
A hands-free bra is a must. I try to use this time to catch up on things, eat, text my mom, and call DH to see how the kids are doing. I get distracted and seems like I produce more when I'm not actually thinking about the pumping itself. Awhile ago, someone on the BF board said something about lemon-lime gatorade helping boost supply. I drink a 20oz bottle of that each day at work, along with alot of water.
I found this article very helpful:
https://media.clinicallactation.org/2-1/CL2-1Mohrbacher.pdf
I usually feed DS in the morning at 7 and then pump at 9 (around 8-10oz) and again at 1 (around 5-6oz). I get home around 4 and feed him. I usually get between 12-16oz a day. There are a lot of variables that play into how often you'll need to pump and nurse to maintain your milk supply. You'll need to factor in how many times a day your LO nurses when you are home as well as your storage capacity.
I don't have extra parts. I just throw my parts into a plastic bag and stick them in the fridge until my next pumping session, then wash everything at home.
Also, on the weekends I keep my morning pumping session so that I can have extra milk if needed during the week. Nursing on the weekend sends my boobs into oversupply mode, so if I don't pump I get pretty uncomfortable too.