Pumping?

jennp1979 · June 2014

Ok so u searched and couldn't find anything on this so if it's out there I apologize in advance...

How soon will you all start pumping? I took a BF class and they said to wait 4 weeks but other thing I'm reading say start right away and freeze your supply...

For those of you that have done this ...what works best for your supply to come in and for lil one

Also when did you find time to pump (between feedings?)

AKB090609 · June 2014

It depends on why your pumping, last time my LC had me pumping in the hospital (DD was a bit overzealous the first time or two she nursed and by the second night there was a lot of blood). So I was pumping to feed DD and try and heal up a bit.

Once I got home I pumped during her longest morning nap and before I went to bed. My LC suggested waiting at least 1 hour after feeding to pump and I tried to time it so I had an hour after pumping before DD needed to nurse again.

aimeepigott · June 2014

DS did great latching but I never produced enough milk for him. In the hospital he was hooked to IV's to regulate his bold sugars, I don't want this happening with LO so I will start pumping immediately and supplement so that he does not go thru what DS did. Within the first 3 days of being a mom, I felt like a huge failure. My MWs are good with my game plan.

PregsMcSnoozalot · June 2014

My baby's still in the NICU (two weeks), so I've been pumping since day one. I pumped about 4-5 hours after the c section, and have continued pumping every 2-4 hours, but usually every 3 hours on the dot.

Pretty much nothing came out for the first three days of pumping, but production went way up on day 4, and has increased steadily to now when I get about 4-6 ounces per pumping session.

The nurses give my milk exclusively (no formula) to the baby when I'm not able to be there, and when I am visiting and it's a feeding time, I breastfeed baby directly from the breast.

Baby has had no "nipple confusion"! He feeds like a champ from bottle or breast

I know my experience doesn't answer your question exactly, but hopefully it adds another perspective

lowen83 · June 2014

With DS1 I began pumping several weeks after birth. He began only nursing from only one breast at each feeding so I would just pump the other as soon as he was done nursing. I would pump on average 5-8 oz Depending on what time of day it was. Before I knew it I had a few months supply built up and that was most helpful for my return to work part time after 12 weeks PP.

ghostof5letters · June 2014

I started (out of pure excitement) with one session a day on Day 5 or Day 6.

AKB090609 · June 2014

2lacyblue said:

I am planning to return to work 8weeks PP. I asked the nurse in my BF class what she advised to prepare. She said start one pumping at 2 weeks 1 hour after the morning feed and also introduce one bottle per day at that time. I am going to a La Leche League meeting this week to seek out more info, support, and local resources to help me with this. The nearest lactation consultant through my insurance is one hour away X(

Many LCs will travel to you and in my area a few of the boutique stores have LCs who come in (for free) o a spacific day of the week. You can also get most of the information you need by talking to one over the phone or via webcam if you can't meet in person.

MrsWallick · June 2014

I was pumping immediately in the hospital because I was on magnesium immediately after delivery and wasn't allowed to breastfeed so they had me pump and dump (to stimulate production) and were feeding her formula. Soooo not my plan but healthy baby is number 1. After the meds were out of my system I continued pumping once a day. Now I pump about an hour after her morning feed and an hour after her night feed. I freeze half of it and refrigerate the other half so that DH can do one middle of the night feeding.

She has never had problems with nipple confusion and takes breast or bottle perfectly. One thing though, she will not take a bottle from me. She can smell the boobs and wants it straight from the tap! However, she has zero problems taking a bottle from anyone else.

marsalisails · June 2014

I had an under supply problem with DS, so I pumped from about day three to try to correct it. I had to pump immediately after he was done eating...it was so difficult, b/c i was so tired. I'm really hoping that doesn't happen this time!

1982Babies · June 2014

G was born 3 weeks early and had low sugars, and the doctor said she may have trouble latching (he was right), so I have been pumping since day 4, the first day I could get my pump. I pump about every 3 hours. My plan was to EBF, and pump starting around week 4-6 so I could start her on bottles before going back to work, but of course nothing goes as planned.

TurtleMonsters · June 2014

I used it early on, I think at first to build my supply. I thought DH might take over a feeding (nope!). Then it was definitely so relieve me at least once a day from BFing because it was really hard/painful at first. The pump didn't hurt as bad. DS had issues with BFing and reflux/allergies.

runrinserepeat · June 2014

I pumped yesterday (day 3) for about 5 minutes per side just to relieve some pressure. I ended up with 3.5oz and my boobs were still so full they hurt. No wonder I was uncomfortable, DS is only eating one side at a time most times and I doubt he's eating that much. I really don't like this part where I wait for my supply to regulate.

Anyways, I didn't save it, didn't seem worth it. I might start pumping to freeze it in the next couple of weeks, but we won't introduce bottles until 4-6 weeks, and then only once every few days. I didn't have a huge problem pumpimg at work last time so I'm not too worried about it this time.

ichamommy · June 2014

1982Babies said:
G was born 3 weeks early and had low sugars, and the doctor said she may have trouble latching (he was right), so I have been pumping since day 4, the first day I could get my pump. I pump about every 3 hours. My plan was to EBF, and pump starting around week 4-6 so I could start her on bottles before going back to work, but of course nothing goes as planned.

This. Exactly this less the low blood sugar part. I had to supplement by day 4 and started pumping that day out of sheer guilt and determination. I'm 8dPP and only today am I starting to feel "full".

BP607 · June 2014

I started pumping with DS from day 2 he had to go into the NICU for some breathing issues and wasn't allowed to BF until we got those under control. I pumped around the clock every 3 hours on the dot as PP stated and after a few months was able to adjust my schedule. I EP for 11 months.

I'm hoping I can pump and switch back and forth between breast and bottle with this LO and get some proper latching techniques down.

TexasGirl81 · June 2014

I'm going to try and start within 2 weeks or so. Last time my supply dwindled away and it was frustrating trying to keep up.

I got a bad cold during BF'ing and the dropped it. Then I got pregnant while nursing and that really made it go away. I'm going to pump and stash as much as I can. Not go crazy with it if course but, I'm going to prepare as much as possible. GL OP!

TricksyPixie · June 2014

I've been working closely with a lactation consultant at the hospital, so I'm on a pretty different schedule. I have short nipples (yay) so Anna has issues feeding, and I have to use a nipple shield. Unfortunately, until a time when Anna can latch onto boob and not sheild, I run the risk of decreasing milk supply, so she wants me pumping and freezing 2-3 times daily.

And I'm not sure how.

jennp1979 · June 2014

So how did you all store the milk? We bought the medela storage bottles...did you keep adding to each storage bottle and freeze them?

SuperTinkerham · June 2014

jennp1979 said:

So how did you all store the milk? We bought the medela storage bottles...did you keep adding to each storage bottle and freeze them?

I got this boobfeeding kit thingamajig. https://www.kiinde.com/starter_kit_product.php

We aren't opening it until we know BFing works for us.

abundancenow · June 2014

I started pumping after 6 weeks with ds. This time, @36weeks, dd is considered pre term and intake is very important. My milk wasn't in yet, plus her ability to suck wasn't as strong, so I've had to pump right after birth, to get things going. We supplement with a bottle of formula also. I haven't made enough to store, but use medala bottles with storage tops and have a bunch of freezer bags I hope to use in the future.

TexasGirl81 · June 2014

jennp1979 said:
So how did you all store the milk? We bought the medela storage bottles...did you keep adding to each storage bottle and freeze them?

I used the Lanisoh bags too. I put about 4-5 ounces in each one. It's best to put them to a flat freeze, it give you way more room in your freezer and it a lot faster to defrost. You can also store in your fridge for 5-7 days. Make sure you check out kellymom.com. There's lots and lots of helpful tips there.

jennp1979 · July 2014

Thanks ladies!

ichamommy · July 2014

Bringing this thread back to life hopefully...

How long is an average pumping session? I've been going approx 10-15 mins because I don't see a whole lot of output after about 5-6 mins. I read something yesterday that said you should continue pumping 10 mins after the last drop has fallen. Thoughts?

abunai523 · July 2014

1982Babies said:

G was born 3 weeks early and had low sugars, and the doctor said she may have trouble latching (he was right), so I have been pumping since day 4, the first day I could get my pump. I pump about every 3 hours. My plan was to EBF, and pump starting around week 4-6 so I could start her on bottles before going back to work, but of course nothing goes as planned.

This is exactly our story as well. I've been pumping since day one.

SaranJonathan · July 2014

For my DD I pumped starting around week 2. I took a few sessions a day and pumped after feelings. I went back to work at 6 weeks pp and had plenty in the freezer. I ended up having enough BM to feed her bottles until 15 months while at daycare and stopped pumping at 12 months. This time I will try to go until 4 weeks pp before I pump just because it will be harder having DD plus I am staying home 12 weeks this time.

unaveragejane · July 2014

ichamommy said:

Bringing this thread back to life hopefully... How long is an average pumping session? I've been going approx 10-15 mins because I don't see a whole lot of output after about 5-6 mins. I read something yesterday that said you should continue pumping 10 mins after the last drop has fallen. Thoughts?

With DS1, I was told to pump for at least 20 minutes to try to help increase my supply. If your milk seems to stop after a few minutes, I recently read on another board that you can stop pumping, readjust the flanges, and start again to stimulate another let-down. The BF board might be able to help more with this.

loulou1212 · July 2014

I started pumping when I got home just for 3-5 minutes to relieve engorgement before feeding. I kept it and froze it. At four weeks I started doing a pumping session most days am hour after her morning feed to build up a freezer stash. I loved the freedom of a freezer stash-it made it easy to have a babysitter/family watch her without stressing.

twister22 · July 2014

I didn't read all the other replies, but:
With DS I started pumping as soon as I came home from the hospital. I had to return to work after 2 weeks and therefore if I wanted him to have exclusively BM that's what I had to do. I had no issues.

With DD I started pumping when she was about a week home, as I returned to my very PT job when she was 2 weeks old and then went to work FT when she was 7 weeks old. Again, I had no issues.

I think everyone is different though, and you'll have to figure out what's best for you.

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