Breastfeeding/pumping to Go Back to Work

The first response you got is right on. I also found that as my LO got older and ate less often, I could pump when he used to eat and get more that way (like at night once he started sleeping longer). My son took 2-3 2oz bottles even at 3 months. He worked up to 2 4-5 oz bottles while I am at work. I have a pump in style and LOVE it. and I pump 2 times per work day and nurse in the morning and on demand at home. I have been doing this since he was 3 months old and he is 7.5 months old now. If you do want to increase your supply, pumping after a feeding is a great way. My son has always only eaten one side so I did the pumping the other side option. Good luck! And WOOHOO to you for continuing and pumping! It is so rewarding and worth the hassle and time. I plan to keep it up til he is a year.

I would rent a hospital grade pump. Those are the best ones. Even then, you will have to take lots of breaks at work to pump. Hopefully you have times that you can do that. I was a first grade teacher and it was difficult. Even if you only get two oz you can combine them into full bottles and your baby benefits from whatever you can do!

How long are you pumping? Do you feel "let down" b/c if you don't you may not be pumping long enough. Heat or massage helps with let down, so you may try a heating pad before pumping or massage your breast a little. Now, about the pump. You don't need to rent a hospital grade pump. You have the same pump I do. It comes with standard size cups or "horns", they may not be the right size for you. I believe they are 24's. I bought 28's and 30's. They allow for you to get more of the nipple/aerola section in for pumping. Believe it or not, it does help with getting more milk. You can buy these at Riverview Hospital and if they don't have them, they'll order them for you. Another thing you can try doing is taking an herbal supplement called Fenugreek. Take it with Blessed Thistle. If this doesn't make a difference in your milk supply within 72 hours then it's not going to work. I was on meds called Reglan to help with supply and man--does it work! So, if you need to contact your OB/physician and ask about Reglan, it doesn't harm the baby at all (they actually give it to babies). As far as how much she should be getting--at the least 2 oz. per pound. So at 7 lbs. she should be eating 14 oz. or more. Don't give up on breastfeeding even when you get frustrated--I totally know how it feels to not get anything from pumping. Another thing you can do... if you don't want to do meds or if you just can't get the supply you need, you can always mix formula and breastmilk. But the problem with mixing the two? What isn't used after a feeding within an hour will have to be thrown out. So I would suggest keeping them separate even if you alternate feeding her breastmilk and formula. If you have other questions, you can always go by Riverview Hospital during their breastfeeding support group. It's Thursdays from 10:30-12 and they have a certified lactation consultant. She is WONDERFUL!!! Her name is Rosemary and she would be glad to speak with you --free of charge!

Oh, and make sure you are getting plenty of water and eating well!

P.S. The more you keep your breasts empty, the more they will fill up!

Are you pumping after feeding her or pumping one side while you feed her? 1-3 ounces is both what she should be taking right now and what you can expect to get each time. There are some babies that will take up to 6-8 ounces of breast milk, but it's rare. Even when she's bigger, she will probably take 3-5 ounces each feeding. The cool thing about breast milk is that it changes as your baby grows and becomes higher in caloric count so she never has to take more in and you don't have to produce more and more!

If you want to get more, you can take Fenugreek and it will boost your milk production. You can get it at GNC or whole foods stores like Wild Oats. Take 3 pills 3 times a day with your meals. You should see a diference in a day or two.

Expressed milk can stay out for up to 8 hours. You shouldn't add new milk to refridgerated, so start in the morning, pump what you can and leave the bottle/bag out and just keep adding to it each time until it's either full or it's been out 8 hours.

Good Luck!

I did not use electirc pump but I hope this helps you. I used AVENT and I loved it. I would pump 5 oz even more at a time. Keep up the breastmilk as long as you can, Good job for doing it, its the best! Drink lots of fluids, eats a lot of food (like you are still pregnant) Keep taking your prenatals, keep off the caffine it is the best way to keep up your supply. Keep a BIG Cup full of water at your desk and think about your little one when you pump also do not worry about how much milk you pump just RELAX and stay calm when you pump and it will help. Also pump often. Good Luck and if you have any question just ask me I nursed two little ones.

Hi H.-
I pumped at work for 9 months so hopefully my suggestions will help.
When I first started pumping before I went back to work I wouldn't get that much either. A lactation consultant told me that one of the best times to pump is in the morning. The body tends to make a lot of milk overnight. I always nursed her on one side and then either pumped the other, or went ahead and did both sides once she was done eating.
Then throughout the day I would pump after she was done eating again. At first you might not get a lot but it is telling your body that it needs to make more milk. Then when I went back to work I nursed my daughter in the morning and at night and pumped three times during work.
I had a pump in style too, and I found that even adjusting the suction and speed helped at times.
As for amount, when my daughter first went to day care she was eating three 3 oz. bottles. I would always make sure that daycare had a couple of frozen bottles to in case she got hungry during the day.
I hope that helps!

Hi H.,

The first time I pumped it was barely and 1oz. My lactation consultant told me that I would not pump more than my baby eats. She will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. The last time I pumped I managed to fill the 5 oz bottle. What I did was nurse her on one breast and then that evening I pumped from the "un-nursed" breast.

I also started to massage my breast and help to help the milk flow out.
I am faithful at drinking 8 glasses of water - I am sure that helps!

Hope this helps!
T.
Fishers, IN

Well, sometimes it helps for with "let down" if you close your eyes and picture your daughter in your mind. Take a deep breath and relax. I know it sounds really corny, but it always worked for me. Especially if I felt nervous while I was getting started with the pump.

I'm guessing that your daughter is taking around 4 ounces? It's really hard to tell, but I'd save the milk in 4-6 ounce packets just to be sure there is enough for a feeding.

Good luck!!! Breastmilk is such a wonderful gift for your daughter and I applaud your efforts to continue nursing while you start working again.