Pumping Q

SunshinyLees · July 2013

This will be my third day pumping. I have the Medela Pisa. I'm pumping twice a day between feeds. All I'm getting is half an oz on each boob which DH uses for the midnight feed so i can get some sleep. Will I eventually get more milk out? I want to be able to freeze milk for later!!! What was your experience when u first started pumping?
Thanks ladies!

orangegoggles · July 2013

Unfortunately I think that's pretty normal on the beginning since your doing it in between feedings. Once our body figures out we need more milk it will adjust appropriately. I always had the best luck pumping after my morning feed as I seem to have more milk in the morning.

Unfortunately you might still have to wake up during the night while your DH feeds so you can pump or else your supply might get screwed up. which will put you further behind in ounces needed.

Good luck!

hopefulmom81 · July 2013

Your milk supply is highest first thing in the morning, can you move a pump session earlier? Maybe pump at 6-7AM if the morning feed is closer to 8? I have always read that babies are much more efficient at getting milk out than a pump, so there will still be enough for LO.

I didn't get much when I first started, but then started getting 6-7oz out of one boob!

martinimomma · July 2013

Please please please take a look at KellyMom.com or check with an LC on this - It is so very early in establishing your supply I fear pumping might put you at risk for oversupply, which is a total PITA (and PITBoob, too). Depending on how long you are on leave, you may not want to start freezing milk this early, either.

MickeyM04 · July 2013

With an LO this young, it doesn't surprise me to hear this at all. Your LO is probably only taking maybe 2 oz per feeding or so at this age (if that), so in between feedings you will not be getting a whole lot since your boobs are probably gearing up to make about 2 oz every 2-3 hours. As your LO starts eating more, your boobs will adjust and start making more milk and you will start pumping more.

I will echo the previous suggestions that supply is highest in the morning so I would just pump earlier in the day if possible. I wouldn't worry about freezing yet either. We didn't touch the frozen stash until I went back to work (12 weeks), and I think that stuff only freezes for 3-4 months anyway, doesn't it? Funny how quickly you block that out.

ProfessorPedals825 · July 2013

PPs have given great advice. Your LO is still so young that this amount does seem right. And KellyMom is a great website with almost everything you need to know.

Having said that, DD never really nursed. I do exclusive pumping and have from the very beginning. I never had an issue with oversupply by pumping so soon after she was born, but I did have to stick to a very strict schedule. I pumped every 2 hrs or right after I fed her by bottle. Now DD is 3 1/2 months, and I still pump every 3 hrs. I only freeze a 6oz bag maybe every other night.

You milk will increase as baby demands more as well. Just continue what you're doing (or add a couple more pumping sessions if possible), and it will get better.

adoxyinherear · July 2013

mkc5869:
That's pretty normal for LO being 2 weeks old. If you continue to pump at the same time each day and you let the pump keep going for 5 or so minutes after the last drop of milk comes out then you will slowly start to get more milk. I would be careful with this though. Your milk still isn't fully established and you could end up with a major over supply. In the beginning I pumped after my morning nursing session and slowly got to where I was able to get 6 oz a day to freeze. It was a double edged sword though because I couldn't skip that morning pump or I would be dying. I would advise you to check out kellymom.com for info on starting a freezer stash. It is a great website for all things BF'ing related.
ETA: I didn't start pumping until I was almost 6 weeks. I made sure that I had enough milk in the freezer for when I went back to work because I was worried about not getting enough.

All of this stuff, and what PPs have said, too! I know it can seem like you need to pump as much and as often as you can as soon as you can, but holding off until 6 weeks PP (unless you have to return to work earlier), is best. Then if you want to introduce an extra pumping session to build a freezer stash, the morning is usually when most moms' supply is higher. But remember, you probably only need a stash to cover two or three days, since you'll be pumping at work to replace what baby is drinking. GL!!

SunshinyLees · July 2013

Thanks so much! I am so new to this so your feedback/advice has been really helpful! Big Smile I met with my doctor today and spoke to her about pumping/storing/oversupply and she echoed a lot of what you've all said.You guys are right, sounds like its probably too early to start freezing milk as my boobs aren't producing tones right now.

Thanks again ladies!! I was super confused not really understanding what I should and shouldn't be doing with pumping and am feeling much better now hearing all your experiences.

Lees xo

tetiananina · July 2013

I pumped every 2 hours at the beginning then moved to every 3 hours. My milk would increase, I made sure I was drinking plenty of water. My rule of thumb is 32 oz in between pumping sessions. If you can pump more often you will increase more milk. Your body will assume Lo is eating more. I'm not sure exactly when I saw a huge jump but I believe it was about 3 to 4 weeks after Lo was born. I'm an exclusive pumper and until recently I was still pumping every 4 hours. During the day I still continue with every 4 hours and at night every 6. Now that I'm pregnant I'm much more tired. Lo is almost 8 months old and before I got pregnant I was pumping 10 to 14 oz per session now that I'm pregnant it dropped to 5 to 9 oz. I just made lactation cookies so I'm hoping that increases my milk as well.

I hope that helps.

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