FTM stockpile question

bdunkin · May 2014

So...I have been setting short term breastfeeding goals so I don't get discouraged OR feel like poo if I don't make it to a year. I've met my first goal (3 months) and on to the next goal of 6 months! My PLAN is start weening/introducing the bottle more (DD has taken bottle before) after 6 months and I have been pumping here and there to build a supply for then.

My questions is this...my milk changes as DD grows, so the milk I'm pumping now will not be what she "needs" at 6+ months, right? So building a stockpile to use months down the road would be pointless and she would not be receiving the nutrition she needs for that stage?

I'm so confused can someone help?!?

blue_elle · May 2014

I can't really answer your question on the content - my assumption is that baby may drink a bit more if the calorie content is lower, but not sure. I did want to say that stashes burn out fast. If you give a stash bottle and don't pump to replace it your supply most likely goes down, then you pull more from the stash, rinse and repeat. If you want to switch to formula, that's ok, but if you wanted to continue BM it's something to think about. How much are you trying to have aside?

mommatotwo2 · May 2014

That is correct, the milk you pump now would be slightly different in composition than the milk you'd be producing when LO is older, but it's still good stuff. There is a chance that LO would want to drink more, similarly to formula fed babies, since formula doesn't change in composition.

mommatotwo2 · May 2014

In reading your post again, it sounds like you would like to rely on stash alone past 6 months. Like pp said, your stash is not likely to last long that way, you'll need a minimum of 25 per day (maybe more) for as long as you plan to continue. So in a weeks time alone you'd need close to 200 oz. To put that in perspective, it took me 8 weeks of pumping most days after the first feeding, to have enough for some practice bottles and a 50 oz stash.

blue_elle · May 2014

Oh, how did I forget to sing the praises of nursing over bottles?! My lo is getting more and more efficient and we never have to worry about how many bottles we have left with us and if we'll need to head home soon. Middle of the night is so easy. And boobies sooth fussy in 2 second flat!

He still enjoys a long cuddly session at home when we can and I've got to say I really enjoy that time. I get a great excuse to relax and snuggle the baby!

bdunkin · May 2014

Thank you all so much for your answers! I agree 100% about soley nursing and it is so much easier! Maybe I should have explained a little more that I don't plan to "rely" on my stash simply dip into more due to my other little ones in school (programs, field trips, parties, etc.) I fully understand about supply and demand BUT thank y'all so much for puting into perspective how much I would need! I know it's possible because working mothers do it but I would be tied to a pump 24/7 after I burnt through my stash in the first week! I guess I don't really think about how much DD eats because there's no "measure."

blue_elle · May 2014

I use my stash to attend other things if LO won't go with me and just carry my manual pump in an insulated bag so I can sneak off for a couple minutes and pump if I need to. Keeps my supply strong and allows me time to take care of other things. Would that be an option? If I can't/don't want to take the pump and won't be gone more than 3-4 hours, I just feed right before I walk out the door. Skipping every once in a while (for me) doesn't seem to have an effect on supply, except to make my boobs giant, but I wouldn't try it often.

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