Building a breast milk supply?

tarahbryan · January 2014

I will be going back to work starting in Feburary, and plan on pumping milk for my daughter to have a the babysitters during the week. I have been pumping and am only getting enought to allow my husband to feed her one bottle at night (so i can get just enough sleep to keep my sanity!) Is anyone else breastfeeding and trying to build a supply? What your feeding and pumping schedule? And suggestions? I plan to try and pump 3 times a day at work, as I work 9 hour days. So hopefully that will keep us going day by day, but I would still like to build a back up supply.

Whitterpow · January 2014

My LC recommended pumping once a day 30 minutes after the morning feeding. As much as it sucks losing sleep, I probably wouldn't skip a night time feeding because I worry about my supply dropping. I plan to nurse when the baby is with me and only use the pumped milk when we are separated so I can stock up before I go back to work.

tarahbryan · January 2014

My daughter is eating every hour at night. So there is little to no sleep between feelings, so my doctor told me to pump for my husband to take a turn.

lollipoppoop · January 2014

I EP and pump every 3 hours I also only get enough for daytime feedings

FutureMrsCaesar · January 2014

You'll be able to really build your stash up when lo starts sleeping longer stretches, which is probably about the time you'll be going back to work. With ds1 I was able to pump a couple hrs after he went to bed because he was sleeping a consistent 6-7 hrs or so. Then in the morning he would only eat off one side and be full and I'd be able to pump the other side for extra. Right now with them nursing so often it's tough to find a time when you have extra milk.

cammyisagirlsname · January 2014

I'm having the same concerns. I go back to work in March and am only able to pump enough for a bottle a day which hubby gives LO during the night. Hoping to be able to pump more before I have to go back to work.

PamMcManus · January 2014

I'm stressing out over this as well. I go back in Feb too and I only have 1 4 oz bag of milk stored. I'm trying to pump and I'm only getting a little less than 2 oz at a time. I'm worried that my supply is decreasing.

AllyDogg · January 2014

I find that pumping right after a feeding, every feeding gives me enough to start a supply. It will create an oversupply, but, it will allow for you to store some as well. I do this, even though I will be home for the next 10 months, but it allows DH to take 1-2 feedings per day to let me have a break.

Lyzza350 · January 2014

tarahbryan said:
My daughter is eating every hour at night. So there is little to no sleep between feelings, so my doctor told me to pump for my husband to take a turn.

Ugh im sorry. I flagged you by accident. What should I do?

MamaGrillo · January 2014

I go back a month from today and spent a while earlier sterilizing my pump parts. I don't wanna. There, I said it. And I really can't complain because I work part time. I just don't want to.

Kbrittonhart · January 2014

Pump or feed every 2 hours, hydrate before and after pumping or feeding, try Mother's Nursing Support Tea 3x per day. It cost about $5 at the health food store and increased my supply up in about 2 days.

jy725 · January 2014

I go back to work in March. I am currently EBF. I just started pumping on Monday for 5 mins. after our morning feeding. I get about an oz. This is the same plan my sis did and it worked for her. When I go back to work I'll pump 3x/day for 15 mins.