EBF freezer supply question

shoeflypie · January 2014

We're EBFing and after a great report from the pediatrician, I can start pumping and freezing. (I wanted to be sure C is getting enough and growing before taking BM from her to freeze.)

My idea is to pump after each feeding. This would go into a BM freezer bag but would be left on the counter for a few hours to get milk from multiple feedings. Then after 6 hours, into the freezer.

Is this idea feasible? Safe? Has anyone done it this way before? Too much hind milk?

I like to foresee any issues before committing to a plan.

shoeflypie · January 2014

lrachelle80 said:
It's fine, but I'd want it to get at least in the fridge ASAP. You can mix chilled milk with chilled milk.

Thank, I agree the fridge is a better storing place. Then I could measure out bags to freeze of different ounces.

Whitterpow · January 2014

I personally think that's a bit much based on the time involved alone, but I feed LO about every two hours. If I did this schedule I would feed, pump, clean, and repeat all day long. I'm not an expert by any means, but I would think that could lead to oversupply that might make for some painful engorgement if you miss a session at all. Maybe others have different insight, but above is why I would probably not do it. I also go out and about and feed LO while I'm away from the house and wouldn't want to have to worry about making it home in time to pump or taking my pump with me.

insertclevername · January 2014

It is more bottles to wash but what I did when pumping was store a days worth of pump bottles in the fridge. At the end of the day I would empty them into freezer bags and wash all the collection bottles for the next day.

hjweber · January 2014

I would just pump 1-2x a day (morning and night). I wouldn't want to create a major oversupply. Are you storing in preparation to go back to work?

hjweber · January 2014

I would just pump 1-2x a day (morning and night). I wouldn't want to create a major oversupply. Are you storing in preparation to go back to work?

mameally · January 2014

I found once DS was sleeping longer at night I was engorged in the morning. So I would nurse him then pump. So my body is used to that being my pumping time and makes more for me then and only then.
You could do this a few times a day if you wanted to make a stock pile faster than just one per day like me
But pumping after every feed will get tiring quick

shoeflypie · January 2014

Whitterpow said:
I personally think that's a bit much based on the time involved alone, but I feed LO about every two hours. If I did this schedule I would feed, pump, clean, and repeat all day long. I'm not an expert by any means, but I would think that could lead to oversupply that might make for some painful engorgement if you miss a session at all. Maybe others have different insight, but above is why I would probably not do it. I also go out and about and feed LO while I'm away from the house and wouldn't want to have to worry about making it home in time to pump or taking my pump with me.

Hmm I didn't think about over supply. We have a little bit of an issue with that as it is and I wouldn't want to make it worse.

ChuggingWater · January 2014

I wouldn't pump after every feeding. That will signal for you body to make lots more and possibly create an oversupply (which can create problems for baby).

It is recommended to start with a pumping session in the morning when your prolactin levels are high.

Remember, if you are going to pump at work, then what you pump Monday, you would use Tuesday. What you pump Tuesday, you would use Wednesday.

Pumping after every feeding is very time consuming, too! I was doing that the first week.

Also, I did what @nymama1 did.

KelseyKetchum · January 2014

So I pump one side in the morning and bf on the other. Then we formula feed from 9pm to 6am so I pump at midnight too. That usually gets me 6-8 oz a day.

aundrea1225 · January 2014

hjweber said:
I would just pump 1-2x a day (morning and night). I wouldn't want to create a major oversupply. Are you storing in preparation to go back to work?

This is what I do. Its working out nicely and I get 12oz total a day. Definitely don't want engorged boobs all day.

shoeflypie · January 2014

NYMama1 said:
It is more bottles to wash but what I did when pumping was store a days worth of pump bottles in the fridge. At the end of the day I would empty them into freezer bags and wash all the collection bottles for the next day.

That sounds like a great set up

shoeflypie · January 2014

Yes, I'm storing for when I go back to work but need to pump to introduce 1 bottle per day right now as well. She's starting to sleep longer during the night and I wake up so uncomfortable. I really like the idea of pumping in the morning, once during my prep period, once in the evening. Since I know my schedule, I'm going to try and start it now. Thank you all for your input...none of my friends or family ever went back to work while BFing.

bjhafner04 · January 2014

About 50% breast-feeding/50% Pumped milk feeding, and did the same with DD1. I pump only when I feel engorged. Otherwise I try to stick to pumping about every 3 to 4 hours if I'm not breast-feeding him at the same time. I only wash my pump parts once a day, I store them in the fridge in between so that cuts down on dishes a lot. The milk get stored in storage bottles in the fridge immediately after pumping and once a day I put it into freezer bags, and right into the freezer. I have a 500 oz freezer stash already, and LO turned 3 weeks old today. I'm kind of a dairy cow.

KateVA · January 2014

bjhafner04 said:

I have a 500 oz freezer stash already, and LO turned 3 weeks old today. I'm kind of a dairy cow.

Holy moly! So basically if I am doing math correctly you are storing 25oz per day in addition to what you are feeding her every day? Impressive

OP - ditto everyone else. There isn't a need for a massive freezer supply anyway, you will be pumping every day that you are away from the baby once back at work. That should allow you to pump on Monday what she needs to drink on Tuesday, etc. One pumping session in the morning should be plenty and won't give you oversupply.

bjhafner04 · January 2014

Correcto.

airsica · January 2014

I agree with everyone above, don't pump every time... Probably in the morning (or at least that's what works best for me). Also if you feed your LO a bottle then pump during they time. And don't leave your breast milk out longer than 3-4 hours.

PamMcManus · January 2014

bjhafner04 said:
About 50% breast-feeding/50% Pumped milk feeding, and did the same with DD1. I pump only when I feel engorged. Otherwise I try to stick to pumping about every 3 to 4 hours if I'm not breast-feeding him at the same time. I only wash my pump parts once a day, I store them in the fridge in between so that cuts down on dishes a lot. The milk get stored in storage bottles in the fridge immediately after pumping and once a day I put it into freezer bags, and right into the freezer. I have a 500 oz freezer stash already, and LO turned 3 weeks old today. I'm kind of a dairy cow.

Wow, im seriously jealous.

Lawson6510 · January 2014

I only feed off one breast at a time, so I pump the other breast while I'm feeding 2-3x/day. Usually the first feeding in the morning, sometimes the second feeding of the day, then during an evening feeding. I read an article on Kellymom that suggested that because pumping while nursing will stimulate letdown. I'm having to try to build a freezer stash because I can only get 1-2 ounces per pumping session, she eats 3-4 ounces per feed, and when I go back to work in a few weeks (12 hour night shifts) my husband will need around 4 feedings (possibly 16 ounces) and on the average day I can pump 3ish ounces. We also take a pumped bottle whenever we go out to church, the doctor or to run errands and it takes me a day or more to make that back up.

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