vent/breastfeeding blahhhhh

[kenziehutch]

So I really want to breast feed when my baby gets here. I actually plan to up until she is 6 months old if not longer. My whole issue is with work. I'm part time so I don't get any kind of income during my maternity leave...nothing. I would prefer to be home with her as long as possible, but we can't simply live on one income for very long. At work I get one 30 minute lunch break if I work over five hours that day, there would be no way for me to go home to feed...I guess my whole question is should I just pump as much as I can so that when I'm not able to breast feed her she can still have my milk? And if any of you have been through this what were some of your strategies? How did you keep your milk coming in and how often did you pump?  

[Ashdub07]

Okay so I also worked part time with my second and I straight went to my employer and said I need to pump twice during my shift. There are labor laws that protect breastfeeding moms so you should look them up for your state. I worked a 9hr shift so I pumped for 15 minutes with a double pump in the am, at lunch, and in the afternoon. Then I pumped for 30 minutes when I got home. About an hour 2 hours later it was time for baby to eat. After she ate and was satisfied I would pump again for about 10-15 minutes. Labeled and froze it.

[KTowne]

yes! that seriously helps using a picture.. also (for me) one of my biggest producing milk glands is on the side closest to my arm pit.. and it feels like a little lump, if I palpate that or massage it, it triggers my let down and I can get way more milk that way.. if you feel around your breasts you'll feel little lumps, and if you massage or rhythmically (lightly) squeeze them, it will give you wayyy more milk than if you don't.

[halerz90]

I'm glad you asked this, I've been wondering about it a lot as well. Thanks for the info ktowne! So helpful! I had a friend at work who would pump on her breaks, and she had to bring a picture of her daughter while she did it to get her milk to come out

[KTowne]

darn, it's kelly mom . com, no spaces!

[KTowne]

yes, 2-3 times is no problem at all! I don't think you'll have any issue doing that. If you pump on your break then you'll have a bottle pumped for the next day already, you know? then you only need to pump another 2 times between feedings at home and you're set!

[kenziehutch]

I've really been looking into it. I wouldn't have enough time to go home on my lunch break, so I would definitely pump in the parking lot. Lol  I got a lot of breast milk storage bags at my shower, and a double pump breast pump. And if she will most likey only eat 2-3 times then I feel a lot better. Haha I'm sure ill get some sort of system down.

[Joceey]

thank you ktowne :) youre so helpful!

[KTowne]

and the cooler the breastmilk stays, the longer it keeps, so if you pump milk and don't want to refrigerate it or freeze it, you can set it in a cooler area of your house and it will keep for about 6-8 hours, the site says with slightly below room temp. or in ice packs for up to 24 hours but I've never done it that long. a great BF'ing website too is ************, I love it!

[KTowne]

yes it does make you produce more, definitely, that's one of the best ways to boost supply, so when my daughter is going through a growth spurt I'll pump between feedings to up my supply, some people can't pump much, me being one, I can only pump an oz or two each time, and even if you pump and nothing comes out, just the stimulation to your nipples from a pump for at least 5 minutes on each side helps. Draining your breasts with a pump too will really help your supply. You can save breast milk with storage bags or bottles and putting them in the freezer or fridge, you can thaw it out in the fridge or you can use warm water in a bowl and set the bag or bottle into the warm water and that thaws it, try to avoid microwaves because it kills the nutrients in the breast milk. here's a great site on storage and handling of breast milk

http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/storagehandling.html

[Joceey]

I was curious to that, does like the pump still help you produce milk? and how to  you save the milk you pump? Freeze it then warm it up or how?:O

[KTowne]

I would start from the beginning pumping some extra, have a "supply" built up in your freezer.. and you can pump before work, the day before, etc. to get enough for her for the day. If I have to go anywhere I always pump between feeds and save it for when I'll be away. The more you pump between feedings the bigger your supply will be. Can you get home during your lunch to feed her? If not I'd buy a pump and a nursing cover and park in a secluded parking space and pump. But honestly 5 hours isn't a huge deal, especially if you can get home during your shift to feed her.. she'll probably only eat 2-3 times during that period, one can be during your lunch and you'll only need 2 extra pumped bottles, I think you'll do great! :)