Bfing/pumping "rules"?

[mamaofonetrying42]

I just wanted to know, if you are pumping and you start out pumping every 2-3hours, Do you always have to pumped every 2-3hours? So what if the babies sleeps a good 5hours can you wait to pump Or do you still have to get up and pump???

I’m so lost right now, I do plan on Bfing here and there, but mainly I’m going to be pumping as I am going back to work shortly after. And I just don’t know the "rules", as I don’t want my milk to stop coming in, if that makes any sense to you??

[LosingMyMindInGA]

If you are pumping, you should pump atleast as often as your baby east otherwise your supply can dwindle and you won't produce enough milk.  It's a good idea to pump a little extra to help during times when you might not be able to pump and for when baby is in the process of increasing the amount per feeding.  With my last he was exclusively on breast milk but becuase of production issues and latching issues i strictly pumped and bottle fed.  I was also working,. I would pump first thing in the morning, then around 930, at lunch, around 230, as soon as I got home around 6 and then before going to bed and that was sufficient for him.  

I also borrowed a medela hospital grade pump from the breastfeeding resource center here.  The pump is free but you pay $22 for the kit that includes the shields, hoses, valves, etc).  Becuase I have milk production problems it was important that I have a hopsital grade pump becuase it's mroe powerful and can stimulate milk production better than store bought.

There is a lot to learn/know about breastfeeding and tons of conflicting stories etc.  If you are a first timer I highly suggest you enlist the help of a lactation consultant PRIOR to giving birth so that she can help you become prepared for any situation so that you don't go into it with any unreasonable expectations.  Good luck.

[Scotland2009]

Hi-

I just read your response to this question.... You said that when you pump...you can get 10oz?  I tried and only got an ounce!  I'm very discouraged because I'll be going back to work soon and I haven't tried again since I got the 1 ounce.  Could I have only gotten an ounce because I was only 2 weeks into BF?  Anyway, I also wondered - if you are unable to pump at work, what's the possibility that your milk supply will decrease so much that you have to use formula?  

[mamaofonetrying42]

Thanks!

[babydreams9]

I am so right with you! I'm overwhelmed by everything involved w/breastfeeding, there are so many conflicting stories (as w/all things pregnancy related!)... Connerethansmom, thanks for all your tips. You helped me, too! I have heard that the right pump makes all the difference. I have a Medela double electric, it was sooo expensive but I figure you get what you pay for! I'm also planning on following my body's signs, too.... a lot of times you can't get everything from a text book, you know? And over-engineering the whole thing can do more harm than good. Best wishes mamaofone - and keep your fingers crossed for me, too! :)

[connorethansmom]

I nursed my son for 18 months.  6 Months with just my milk no formula then another 12 months of mommy milk with solids.  I never used any formula.  

Prior to Going Back to Work
I went back to work at 3 months.  Before you go back to work start stocking up.  In the morning your milk supply is the greatest, pump.  I would wait an hour or so after I fed him and then I would pump.  You would be surpised how much you get.  As the day goes on, don't expect to get as much.  This may eliminate you having to get up to pump.  I never did that and I never woke the baby to eat either.  I wouldn't pump in the middle of night unless you were uncomfortable, I would just do it in the morning after a feeding.  

At Work
I pumped at work at the same time I would have feed him at home, which started at every 3-4 hours and then down to just once a day then to nothing at all by the end.  At the beginning I would continue to nurse and then pump after nursing prior to going to work for the first few months.

Make sure you have a good pump.  You will drive yourself crazy with a crappy pump trying to get milk.  I had a double electric and I would get 10 oz in less than 10 minutes.  Know your pump too, I would start on the high fast setting and then once let down occurs (the milk flows) I would slow it down.  It will take some practice, but it can work.  The baby is going to be much more efficient at emptying the brest then a pump could so I would try to nurse when you are with them, plus, no cleaning.  This will keep your milk supply up.  Try to pump to the point where the milk supply slows/stops, but don't wait too much after that or you can end up in pain.  I would never do it more than 15-20 minutes.  

I always tried to keep ahead of the game by at least a week too.  Meaning we always had a week's worth of milk in the freezer.  Breastmilk handeling is much different than formula - there are rules for freezing, feeding, storing, etc.  

Good luck and I would be happy to help.  Just don't stress yourself out about it.  It really is going to be a lot easier than you think.  I was so worried and then you see the pump with the parts and then you hear stories about people that have trouble doing it, so just relax.  Ask for help at the hospital, take a class, read a book or ask more questions here.  I think a lot of breastfeeding is the mom thinking there is something wrong with them or that baby and then you want to make it work so bad and make sure the baby is feed and it becomes a huge mess for some.  Anyway, feel free to ask more questions.

[irrelevance]

You're supposed to wake your newborn for feedings every 2-3 hours, no more than 4. So that way you don't skip one. So yeah, you should still drag yourself out of bed and make up a bottle, even if you just put it in the fridge until the 4 hour mark rolls around if that's how you want to do it. I know it can seem like such a relief if they sleep for a longer amount of time and you want to cherish it, but they shouldn't skip feedings or else, I'm told it will effect your milk supply, and on top of that, by the time they awake on their own, they will be so hungry and frustrated, that if you were to try to breastfeed and hadn't made up a bottle, it will be really hard to get them to latch on and stay on. I'm going through the learning experience and have been BFing/pumping for almost 2 weeks now [so I'm no expert, but..] if you want any advice or have any questions on what I've been told or how I do things personally, I'd be glad to answer, just message me

[Mea426]

Well I always BF when I was at home and then pumped when I was at work. But I don't think you in need to keep pumping while your home. When your baby BF'd your milk will reproduce. You know what I mean? As long as you keep BFing you'll be fine. I wouldn't pump unless you absolutely have to. Is the BFing going well?