Pumping at work.

Sammie6 · October 2015

My LO is 6 weeks old. He eats every 2-21/2 hours. I'm super busy at work. In your opinion you think I can pump every 3 1/2 or 4 hours and not lose my supply? I work 3 days a week. Thanks in advance.

dulcineasnicklefritz101 · October 2015

Following because I have basically the exact same question. .. :-S

LittleFox2015 · October 2015

I pump every three hours at work. I have an office job sort of. I have been able to maintain fairly well (3-4 oz a breast each session) my employer is more allowing since i invested in the hands free bra. I am able to do some sort of work and take my 4 breaks with no arguements. (3 pumps and a lunch)

If you notice your supply dropping try a booster cookie, mothers milk, or lactation smoothie. They can work wonders. Also dont judge your worth by the oz. Once i let go and figured i'd pump what i pump my supply went back up.

Sammie6 · October 2015

Thank you. I will be able to pump hands free. But I'll be in a bathroom and I'm not in an office. I'm a dog groomer. And basically cannot work and pump so every 3-4 hours will have to do I guess. At least I'm only 3 days a week, right? My LO eats a lot. I pump 5oz each side. He finished me most of time.

LittleFox2015 · October 2015

Your job should provide you a non bathroom room to pump in. Most states have a law requiring you are given time to pump and a place (not a bathroom)

buckleyk · October 2015

As LO get older his feeds should space out a bit more (like every 3 hours instead of every 2) so your pumping schedule will more closely mimic his.

And I think working only 3 days is an advantage in your case because you'll be BF-ing the other 4 days which will help keep your supply up.

If you do notice a drop in supply, you could always add a pumping session in the middle of the night. And depending on your commute, you could pump on your way to/from work.

princesslockness · October 2015

I teach full time. I have gotten into a schedule of pump @ 6am, 9am (prep), and right after school around 3:30. I get 8+oz at the 6am and 3pm sessions, but only 4-6 at 9am. It evens out so I pump about 4oz more than LO can/does eat at DC. It will take awhile, but you can regulate your body to whatever you need to do. If supply is an issue you can try the supplements listed above, or power pump (20 min pump, 10 off, 10 on, 10off, . . . Several times during a weekend. Power pumping is what set me up with just enough oversupply to build a stash over what L eats.

heath3er · October 2015

What is power pumping @Kate08young I need more info =D>

princesslockness · October 2015

heath3er said:

What is power pumping @Kate08young I need more info =D>

I've heard of several different time frames, but the one that worked for me was this: Pick a nice long episode/movie to watch, and have SO take LO for a while so you can relax. Pump both sides for 20 min together. Rest for 10 min. Pump for 10 min. Rest for 10 min. Pump for 10 min. Do that every day at the same time for several days, or do it 2-4 times a day on the weekend. It *should* help improve your supply as you are sending the 'make more milk' signal to your body several times. It boosted my supply ~2oz each session within 2 days.

PixelPosy · October 2015

I wouldn't go over 3 hours if LO is eating every 2 still. And if at all possible schedule your breaks so you're taking them at the same time each day. With my first I was so busy I often missed pumping times. And when I did take them I felt rushed and couldn't relax. My supply piddled out quickly and I worked way too hard to try and establish it again with supplements and power pumping before bed and on the weekends. The stress was all counterproductive for pumping. If you can establish a routine right away and do your best to make it a relaxing break in your day, that should keep your supply solid.

I agree with only 3 days a week you'll have the advantage of nursing more often than pumping which will help your supply a ton.

heath3er · October 2015

I start work next week. I will be working two days. Is 4oz a bottle a pretty good assumption every 3hours? I'm nervous and so sad

tarheelgirl8 · October 2015

@heath3er, I just started back to work and I was worried about how much to send too since I didn't really know exactly how much she ate. Daycare said to start by bringing 4 oz bottles assuming every 3 hrs plus one extra bottle as a buffer. So far that has worked for us and she's eating almost exactly every 3 hrs. While I was on maternity leave her eating was much less regular. I think since I'm not there she doesn't want to nurse as often. A lot of times on maternity leave I felt like she was just snacking because she smelled me. She doesn't seem to need to eat as often at daycare. Good luck!

marieva · October 2015

I started back this week on Monday

. Anyways, Ive been doing that...pumping every 3-4 hours. My supply seems like it took an initial dip (not too bad), but I believe it is going back up due to me taking fenugreek, drinking 64 oz of water or fluid daily and eating oatmeal cookies with flax seed in it (kashi brand). I don't have the time to bake anything so those I believe (and hope) are doing it's job. I get between 3-5 oz each session and manage 3 pumping sessions before heading home. I make it pretty clear to everyone that I WILL pump. I feel like my boobs will explode if I start hitting that 4 hour mark and It starts becoming a bit painful. So far people have been pretty supportive. I take no more than 15-20 mins to pump and then I'm back on the grind.

heath3er · October 2015

@tarheelgirl8 thank you for that advice. I just know how Breast milk to me is gold, and I don't want to waste it. I agree if he smells me he is ready to eat. Which sometimes can be every hour. I think it's comfort.

I will start 4oz and hopefully that's good. And 3hrs seems good. Do you pump every 3hrs at work or 2hours?

Don't want to lose supply

I see tarheelgirl (do you line in nc?)

tarheelgirl8 · October 2015

@heath3er, totally agree that it's liquid gold!! We took in four bottles the first day. So far she's only used three each day but I feel better having the buffer so we bring in 3 new ones each day and make sure to rotate. So every day she has 1 bottle that's two days old and the other two were pumped the day before.

I've been pumping every three hours at work and my supply is fine. Granted, I just started back this week so hopefully it will keep up.

And I am in NC! Are you?

heath3er · October 2015

Good to hear thank you @tarheelgirl8 I feel better knowing that

Yes we live outside Raleigh

Sammie6 · October 2015

Thanks everyone. Every 3 will have to do. @LittleFox2015 it's a high volume, very small shop. I'm the owner of it, lol that's the only place I have. Thank you ladies!

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