Pumping questions??

[busy_i_am2007]

I have breastfeed my other kids but never have pumped and given them a bottle with breastmilk. So I have some questions about pumping.

When do I pump, like after Cassidy breastfeeds or before? How long do I need to pump for? Do I pump on both sides or just the side she hasn't nursed off of?

I did use my breastpump this morning for the first time, and pump while she was nusing on one side. I got 2oz of milk from that breast. Since I have multiple letdowns when she nurses on just one side. I want to get the milk on the other side so if I need to go somewhere I can leave her with my husband and not worry about her needing to breastfeed while I'm gone.

[tata]

I'm certainly no expert on pumping, but I'll do what I can to help.

If you are able, you should pump on one side while nursing on the other. If not, you should nurse on both sides and pump afterwards. You should pump as often as baby would need to nurse - at just 5 weeks that would be around 10-12 times per day. You should pump 5-10 minutes per breast.

However, it sounds like you are only stocking on the side in case you need to leave? If that's the case, I'd recommend pumping after morning nursings for a couple of weeks to build a stash. After a month of this, you should be good to go. And do be selective about bottles so's not to cause nipple confusion :)

Best wishes!

[3girls2luv]

You don't have to pump everytime she nurses if you are just trying to build a stash for occasional bottle feeding. Like tata said you can pump after she nurses in the morning since this when you should have an abundance of milk. You can wait at least 30min after nursing and then pump both sides at the same time if you can until about 2 min after the flow stops. Since you are having problems with OALD be sure not to over do it. Also if you see large amounts of foremilk (thin watery milk) you can switch out the bottles when the hind milk starts to come out and pump only hind milk into the bottle that you will be feeding her.

[cream_city]

I pumped a bit early on, and have about 6 bags of frozen breast milk. I had a meeting last Thursday, and my husband gave her a bottle. So when I got home, I nursed her on one side and pumped the other, to replace the bag of breast milk I'd used.

That's the only time I pump. But I'm only pumping so that she can take the occasional bottle if I'm at a work meeting (I'm mostly on leave but still have to go to some meetings) or want to go out for more than an hour or two.

When I go back to work in the fall, I'll get some new pumping routine going.

[Iconoclast]

I always pumped first thing in the morning, both breats simultaneously, before feeding the baby. I was usually able to pump about 4oz from ea breast and didn't need to do more than that to build up a stash.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Amy, did your husband have surgery yesterday?

[busy_i_am2007]

Amy, did your husband have surgery yesterday?

Not yesterday, but last Monday. He's recovering slowly and trying to lift things he's not supossed to. I have to keep a close eye on him.

[busy_i_am2007]

I'm not trying to build a big stash, just enough when I have a doctor appointment or something. I actually have my 6 week checkup early tomorrow morning. I don't want to get Cassidy out in the cold, plus my husband's truck doesn't have heat.

I did get 6oz of milk pumped today. I pumped while she was nursing, but that is hard to do.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I'm sorry. I misunderstood what day he was having the surgery. I'm glad he's recovering. I hope he feels well soon.

[busy_i_am2007]

I'm sorry. I misunderstood what day he was having the surgery. I'm glad he's recovering. I hope he feels well soon.

That's ok, thanks for asking about him. He had a double hernia surgery for his groin area and a vasectomy. He has 3 incisions in his belly from the surgeries.