when's the best time to pump??

[Mony0283]

hey all well my son is 3 weeks yesterday and today i finally started practing pumping for when i go back to work.  I was able to get a ounce out-i am only going back to work part time but i want to pump just in case.  I was just wondering when u think the best time of the day to pump is and how many times.  I say the more the milk the better.  thank you ladiess

here's a updated 3 week pic of patrick in his bouncy-he loves it(:

[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Mony0283/Picture332.jpg[/IMG]

[DollChina]

One hour before and one hour after nursing.  How often is your baby eating?  It's great to start practicing now.  The more you pump and nurse, the more milk you get.  Also, it's a good idea to store extra milk in the freezer in case of emergency (that's after you establish your milk supply).  I am back to work full time and I pump at work every 3 hours.  My son is 5 months old today.
Good Luck nursing.

[Me2mommy2b]

wow, it's already been three weeks??? Time flies!  I agree with Dolly...definitely freeze the milk!!!! I didn't and the second I was back at work, my milk dramatically decreased (go figure).  So I didn't have anything stored and was forced to gve formula to DD :(  Store, store, store!! And pump regularly.  Good luck :)

[DollChina]

Hey girl, what's up?  Have you start to feed solid yet?  I have been wondering about that.  I gave Gavin soy formula for the heck of it last night and he took over 7oz.  I am going to wean soon.  Physically, I am ready but not emotionally.  Don't beat yourself up!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Do you have a good pump?  I found the Medela Pump in Style worked the best.  Very efficent, and since it empties both boobs at the same time cuts your pumping time in half.

He is beautiful.

[Me2mommy2b]

Yes, we started with barley cereal and Ariella was not to thrilled to eat it. She was pushing most of it out so we're still working on retaining some of it in the mouth so it goes down :)  How often do you give the cereal to Gavin?  I heard that a couple of hours after they have the milk? Is that so?

[DollChina]

I agree with anxious.  I too have a Pump in Style and love it.  It takes about 10-15 minutes to get 5-6 oz.

[DollChina]

I know, she will push out her food for a week or so until she learns to swallow.  She will get there.  Don't worry.  Right now we give him rice cereal once or twice a day.  Usually an hour or so after his bottle.  Gavin loves to eat so he will eat anything we put in his mouth, LOL.  Just make sure Ariella drinks her milk first before you give her any solid.  Gavin also likes sweet potatoes, pears and PRUNES, yes prunes!  It helps constipation.  Keep that in mind in case she has it after solids.

[myproblem]

Make sure you have your pump set on the strongest setting. There should be a little rubber knob on the front. Try pumping 1st thing in the morning before you feed baby, and the same right before he wakes from his longest nap. You will have the most milk at these times. There will still be enough left in you for baby when you're done pumping. Also, drink a lot of water.

[Trialanderror]

The largest milk supply usually occurs in the morning if you were able to get some rest. It is a good time to pump.