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pumping/cluster feeding

NineTwentyOhEightNineTwentyOhEight
in Breastfeeding

DD is six weeks old tomorrow and I've been just pumping once in the morning after her first feed - I generally get from 1-3 oz but I only pump for like 5 minutes (I hate pumping). 

Anyway, SIL is visiting next week and DH and I were thinking of seeing if she'd babysit so we could go out just the two of us - probably just for dinner for like 2 hours maybe?

Here's the thing - DD tends to cluster feed, wanting to eat every 30-60 min or so from like 6pm thru 8/9 pm depending on the day (some days she doesn't do this, but more often than not she does). So my question is if I'm gone from like 7-9 how do I pump to make up for it? Do I just pump before I go and nurse as soon as I get back? Is my one pumping session in the morning enough to balance it out if I stretch that session a bit or get more? I don't want to mess up my supply - I had oversupply issues in the beginning but I think we're even now as I'm rarely engorged (usually just in the middle of the night when she goes 3-5 hours between feedings).

TIA for any advice!

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    Re: pumping/cluster feeding

    • lanboblanbob member
      Breast milk is good for 7 days so you can keep your morning sessions for a few days in the frig. When time comes she will have a few bottles then you can nurse before and after. GL and have fun.
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    • NineTwentyOhEightNineTwentyOhEight
      imagelanbob:
      Breast milk is good for 7 days so you can keep your morning sessions for a few days in the frig. When time comes she will have a few bottles then you can nurse before and after. GL and have fun.
      So you don't think I should pump before or after at some point to make up for the missed feedings? I am not worried about her having plenty of milk for while we're out, but more worried that I'll mess up my supply by missing the cluster feeding at night. 
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    • haziedazehaziedaze member
      I pumped right before we went out because I was feeling full then anyway- I matched the ounces he took while I was gone so I was good to go. As long as you match the ounces she took while you were gone at some point it doesn't matter exactly when. Additionally if you get back and need to pump, but she wants to nurse, feed one side while you pump the other. I always get more that way too, since he is causing the let downs. Have fun!
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    • kitkat145kitkat145

      imagehaziedaze:
      I pumped right before we went out because I was feeling full then anyway- I matched the ounces he took while I was gone so I was good to go. As long as you match the ounces she took while you were gone at some point it doesn't matter exactly when. Additionally if you get back and need to pump, but she wants to nurse, feed one side while you pump the other. I always get more that way too, since he is causing the let downs. Have fun!

      Yes, this.  Have a good time!

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    • kitkat145kitkat145
      I want to add, my dd cluster feeds too. The one night I left her for 5 hours, I pumped once on the car ride to where I was going and once three hours in. I ended up pumping more than she took but that may have been because my LO hates bottles! She nursed like a champ the minute I walked in the door.
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