Breastfeeding and pumping...in which order???
Hi Everyone,
I am breastfeeding full time with my 2 week old and it's going great. We have to use a nipple shield but only temporarily due to my son's frenulum being clipped (different story lol). The whole breastfeeding thing is really going great though.
Anyhow, my question is, if you are going to occasionally pump a bottle to leave with your baby should you pump right after you breastfeed? Before? In between breast feeding sessions?
I have a dentist appointment friday morning and my mom will be watching him for a few hours. I will of course breastfeed him before leaving and promptly upon returning; but want to leave her with a bottle of milk just in case he gets hungry/upset while I'm gone. Tonight I pumped after I breastfed him but barely got an ounce between both breasts. Is that an okay amount and it's just going to take me a few times to be able to put together enough for a small bottle? Or should I pump at a different time to get more milk at once during one pump sesh?
Thanks! 
Re: Breastfeeding and pumping...in which order???
It may take you a few sessions to get a good amount for a bottle depending on how much he's eating. At 2 weeks you're not making a whole lot of milk; just enough to accomodate LO. As he gets biggers and requires more milk your body will produce more. You can also begin to produce more by pumping regularly. After each feeding if you pump each breast for 15 mins you'll begin to notice an increase in your production.
I feed LO, then pump on the side she didn't eat from or ate less from. She's done the work of getting let-down for me
plus I don't worry about not having much in me for her next feeding. It may take a few times to build up, but keep in mind that your supply follows what LO eats--and she's not eating a whole lot right now.
Also--you said your LO is two weeks. Most lactation specialists and pedis recommend waiting until 3 weeks or later to introduce bottle (though the main concern is usually "does LO have the hang of BFing, which it sounds like he does). Also--it can take a few times to get LO to take a bottle effectively. I wouldn't count on him taking a bottle the first time in a pinch, especially if he's already upset or very hungry. You might want to try a test run sooner when you're able to offer the breast.
BFP #1: 10-25-11, MC: 11-1-11 @ 5w5d
BFP#2: 12-29-11, DS born September 2012
TFAS: July 2014, BFP#3: 12-29-14, EDD 9-9-15
I talked to the LC about this last week because I'd like to have an occasional bottle available.
Her recommendation was to pump 30 minutes after a feeding, preferably the first feeding in the morning because you make more milk in the morning. I pump both sides for about 15 minutes, and I usually end up with about 1.5-2 oz. total (which is fine with me; I don't want to increase my supply).
This. Maybe try leaving a soft cup to feed LO from? (you can google infant cup feeding to see how it's done). I wouldn't give a bottle that early.
I have done the same thing. Sometimes you get very little after a feeding but it can be done. Keep at it as you will see your milk supply will increase as well. I have had friends who pumped before and then nursed and pumped after they nursed.
I have read experts say that pumping after baby nurses is best because baby gets his fill. And truthfully, ANY breast milk is great. If you can only get 1 oz, then thats great. Baby is getting the necessary antibodies he needs. I combined my milk into one storage container. Also, I combined my milk from various pumping sessions, so long as they were pumped within 24 hours of each other and are the same temperature.
What you're doing is absolutely perfect for you and your baby!