Pumping Question

[ktwomey]

Hello,

When I work 3 days a week I pump throughout the day so the caregiver can give my 7 month old bottles. He gets 1 bottle of formula a day. On days I do not work I give him the bottle of formula in the afternoon, and all other times I directly breastfeed. On days I work I typically feed the baby in the early morning, then pump around 9:30, 12:30 and then 4:30, then start direct breastfeeding again around 6 when I am finished with work. Although my son isn't on a schedule, usually around 4:30 my son sometimes wants a small, 'snack' bottle, that is why I started pumping around that time. I am wondering, though, if I should be pumping at 4:30 or is that too close to the 6pm direct feeding? If I pump at 4:30 how much will that affect my supply around 6pm?

I also had another, unrelated question I was hoping you could help with. I have a pretty bad cold right now. Is there any over the counter medicine that I could take? Is the concern that OTC medicine would dry up my milk or that it would be passed to the baby? If it is that it would be passed to the baby I was wondering if I could take something after I give him his last feeding before bed - he typically goes at least 9 hours straight sleeping (with no feedings).

thank you very much!

[debbie_page]

The 4:30 pumping may be close, but as long as he is content with the 6 PM feed, I wouldn't worry about it. Are you wanting to increase your supply?

Sudafed will decrease milk supply, but not all of the cold remedies. What else are you thinking of taking?

[ktwomey]

Well, sometimes I do not pump as much as he eats and we need to take some of my frozen milk. I was trying to pump at the times he ate. But was never really sure if I should be pumping at 4:30. If I didn't, though, I don't know if there would be enough milk for him (I don't have much frozen milk at all).

For my cold I was interested in taking something like Tylenol cold, or Nyquil or some sort of cough medicine.

thank you!

[debbie_page]

According to Thomas Hale's book, it looks like all of the cold remdies may suppress milk supply. I would think if you only take it at night to get a good night sleep it wouldn't cause much of a decrease, but I'm not sure.

I think the pumping schedule you are on is probably fine and I would nurse him as often as you can get to to eat during the times you are with him--weekends, evenings, etc.

[ktwomey]

Thank you very much for your help!

[debbie_page]

You are so welcome. Get some rest and take Tylenol throughout the day if it helps.