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how to start pumping? (sort of long)

TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
in Breastfeeding
Id like to start pumping to help increase my supply (LO seems really frustrated at night and I feel like im never full at night) and to get BM to freeze and so my DH can give my LO bottles sometimes.

Right now I nurse on demand and he hasnt really settled into a schedule though he does tend to nurse every 1..5-2 hours during the day, almost constantly in the evening, and then about every 3 hours at night.

Any suggestions? I just want to be sure that I can contibie having milk for my LO after I start pumping.

Im afraid that ill drain my breasts while pumping and then wont have anything when LO is hungry again.

Thanks for the advice in advance! Not really sure how to get started.
Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
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Re: how to start pumping? (sort of long)

  • TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
    Thanks! I spoke to a LC and based on whatni told jer she said I could do a weighted feed but didn't need it. Id have gone but there is a lot of ice and snow right now and I didnt want to take him out.

    He hasalso improced during the day and isnt doing continuous nursing during the day... just at night now. Thats a huge relief but its still happening at night and he will just get so frustrated! He has also been more gassy lately so im cutting dairy starting today to see if that helps
    Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
    I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
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  • TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
    Oh! Thats a good idea! I hadnt thought of that. Ill check it out if cutting dairy doesn't work. Thanks!!
    Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
    I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
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  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    when i was trying to get a little bit of stockpile before i went back to work, i would nurse DS in the morning and pump the other side at the same time. it was a little tricky to juggle, but it helped with my let-down. don't be surprised if you don't get a lot- you might only get an ounce. it's hard to get much when you're not skipping a nursing session.

    also, seconding PP that you're never really "empty"- you are always making more milk, and if your LO needs more, and nurses more, your body will make more.
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  • GingerMama2013GingerMama2013 member

    I exclusively pumped for my preemie for as long as I could. Fair warning pumping sucks!  That being said, I can totally understand wanting to have some stock of breast milk on hand!  If I were you, I would consider taking Fenugreek and making some lactation cookies.  (Fenugreek will make you and baby smell like maple syrup!)  Both of those items should help you produce more milk.  You want to pump after baby nurses (you could do the opposite side while lo is nursing on the other as well). That way your body will recognize that it needs to produce more milk. Most EPing mamas find that a MOTN pump is really helpful and plentiful (while totally exhausting). Also, as PP said don't expect a huge amount.  Pumping can be really disconcerting because you start worrying about if you pumped enough.  A pump is never as effective as a baby when it comes to removing milk.

    #1 Natural Miscarriage at 8 weeks
    #2 PPROM at 28w Delivered at 30w. 7w NICU stay. Now a H&H Boy!  


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