Pumping -Extending Time Between Pumpings Without Lessening Supply

I pumped for the first 4 months of my daughters life. She was a preemie and was not able to suck, swallow and breathe all at the same time so I pumped. After 3 months I started to go 3 hours before pumping but I still did it day and night and my milk flow started to decrease. So when I hit the 4 month mark, I was only getting 1-2 ounces every 3 hours. So I say play it safe if you really want your little one to drink your milk. Good luck honey!

Girl, this was me with my first! Unfortunately, you will need to pump more to keep your production up and to increase as your little guy increases his needs. The trick, challenge and yucky end of the pumping is you need to mimic the eating patterns of your little guy. It is a challenge and you will feel tethered to that darn pump for as long as you do this. . . . you know. I think it was around 6 months, I was super busy at work and that is when I finally extended the pumping to about four hour intervals.

I am sure everyone has their own experiences, but that was mine and I followed the recommendations of my LC based on my issues:) So my recommendation/advise is to give an LC a call and see what they have to say OR if that isn't available, get to where you are pumping 8 oz (seriously!) every two hours, have a good amount in the freezer and then start spreading out the pumping.

Sorry CA - that doesn't work. If your baby doesn't mind being under a cover, then just put a light gauzy baby blanket over him while he nurses. I would recommend seeing a LC so that you make sure you have a good latch. I had trouble with my 2nd baby because of his mouth - he has a very high and narrow pallet so we have to find nursing positions that didn't result in bloody nipples. A good LC will be able to help with that.

Otherwise, think about how long you want to exclusively pump. You might be able to do it until he is 6 months and then supplement with formula. Keep in mind that he may peak out around 30-40 oz per day. As soon as you extend time between pumping, your body will respond by making less milk. Thus you will really decrease your supply. It is super hard to bring up supply by pumping alone.

I did exclusively pump for my first child for nearly a year. My supply dropped a lot around 6 months and I had to start supplementing when my freezer stock depleted. By 8 months, he was 1/2 formula and by 10 months he was only getting maybe one bottle of breast milk per day and I had to work hard for that.

Good luck! C.

This is tricky because supply comes from demand. I realize you don't want to be tied to the pump, but this high output may not last over time. My sister threw out milk vs freezing it and had to supplement with formula by the time her son was 7 mo. You should read kellymom.com - there is exclusive pumper information in there. You might also consider pumping one side while he nurses from the other and 1. save time and 2. get the benefit of his nursing to activate letdown. Remember that this is temporary and will likely peak at 6 mo. and taper down after that.

Other suggestions only because I was so nervous about nursing in public. If you ever find yourself out and about with no bottle and still nurse him sometimes, then you can find a changing room to sit in. I was really nervous about nursing DD in public when she was born and at first I would find a mother's room or a changing room. I got caught short at a work gig (of course) and had to pull out my cover and pretend I didn't care what the guy from Engineering thought. So if you get caught short, don't panic. Just find somewhere private to sit if you don't want to sit out in the open.

And make sure you have the right "horns" or whatever they are called. I had to go up a size, and they now make more flexible/comfortable ones. It can help you output, especially if you later pump longer but less frequently. And also make sure the suction is right. You don't need to rip your nipples off to get milk. Ouch.