My baby is 2 weeks old today. I'm planning on pumping, but am a FTM and really have no idea how to pump. When is the best time of day to pump and for how long? Do you pump after you breastfeed or in between feedings?? Any helpful tips and advice would be appreciated! TIA
Re: Pumping techniques and tips
I am EPing, so I can't help much with the breastfeeding portion - but so far my routine has been to pump every time she takes a bottle and to push for an extra feeding's worth at each pumping (I don't always get there, but its my current goal).
Our Pedi recommended contacting an LC with any questions or tips on keeping up supply. I haven't yet because I've been able to keep up (and honestly because we've only been doing this for a few days), but I plan on following up with them.
you can pump either right after a feeding or some people wait til an hour after.. either way it might take a little while til your supply comes up, but once it does you should get milk either way you do it.
your supply is usually highest in the morning, so I pump after my first morning feed.
use compression and massage to keep getting milk after it stops.
ETA: as a pp said, relax and think of lo while pumping. if I am stressed or thinking of a million other things, my milk won't even letdown. and I'll only get drops
"What did my fingers do before they held you? What did my heart do with it's love?"