Pumping Schedule

[strkvllmomma]

Breastfeeding has not been easy for me but I am VERY committed to it! I am returning to work in about 2 weeks and I have just started pumping (DD is 6 weeks).
I am trying to stock pile for my return to work. How often should I pump? (current pumping sessions produce ~3oz) Also, my schedule at work is as follows: leave house at 7:30, break at 9:45, break at 12:10, done with work at 3:30. I know I will pump during the two breaks but will I need to pump at other times as well?

[maabell]

Hi... welcome to the boards.

I didn't stockpile before I went to work, so, I cannot answer how often you should pump. I have read you should once a day. The time should be the same every day. Mornings are when you yield the most milk, so try to do it in the morning.

I pump twice a day and always seem to have enough milk. Twice a day is probably enough.

I am sure there will be more info. If not, post on the general board.

[cmstuhr]

To stockpile - I just pumped whenever babe did not eat on both sides or I still felt full afterwards. You can add to a bottle throughout the day if need be (as long as it is in the fridge) and freeze at night.

I woud think that pumping twice a day would be enough if you nurse right before you leave and right when you get home. You'll have to see how much babe is eating and might have to adjust from there.

Good luck

[sweetkisses]

When I was building my freezer stash prior to returning to work I pumped once a day in the am after her first am feeding.

Once returning to work I pumped twice a day. Occasionally I would pump in the car on my way in. The only time I did this was if she didn't nurse very well and I still felt very full or during a growth spurt to help stimulate my body to produce more.

How many times you pump with depend on how much you get at each pumping session and how much your baby is eating. It takes a week or two for you and your little one to adjust and get on a schedule.

[steelady]

I was never very good at it, but I've some ladies can pump while nursing to take advantage of the let down.

As for pumping at work, I would start with pumping when you get to work, both breaks and after work (before going home), adjusting for when you will nurse baby next. If that is too much production, you can cut back.

[southinmom]

Hi-
My schedule is similiar to yours. Babe and I leave the house at seven. I nurse her at the sitter's about 7:30, then I go to the sitter's on my lunch break and nurse my babe. Lunch is at 10:40. Then I pump at 1:20 and babe takes about 2 oz ebm sometime around 2. I pick her up at 3:30 and feed her as soon as we get home, about 3:45. So I would suggest looking at your schedule that you just pump twice and nurse right before you leave in the am and immediately when you get home. If your babe is at a sitters I would just nurse there rather than waiting if you have a long drive.