I have been bf my 2 month old son almost exclusive with the exception of a formula bottle 3 or so times when I had to go somewhere and my so had to feed him. Here is my problem I am working full time an have been having a really hard time pumping enough bottles to have him stay home all day without me either having to leave work to feed him or take him with me to work. It has been exhausting especially now that he eats every 1 or 2 hours! I need advice on how I can get ahead of the game! Plus I thought it would be easier losing weight while breastfeeding!! It isnt the reason that Im doing it but it would be nice if it were true in my case. What the heck? Not only am I exhausted but Im still fat!!!
My daughter is 21 months and I breastfeed her, well actually still am but I went back to work when she was 4 months old. While I was on maternity leave I pumped and stored up milk. I could store up 8 ounces at a time. When i went back to work I could barely pump 6 ounces, I was like what the heck. Well a lot of moms pointed out to me that my daugher didn't need 8 ounces at 4 months old so I cut down to 6 ounces and she didn't even realize. I was able to pump twice during work and I would get 6 ounces each session. I only worked 3 days a week so on my two days off I pumped once each day. I think she was eating 6 ounce bottles 3 x a day at the sitters and she did great with that. Around the 6th month my supply got lot and i bought that Fenugreek and took it 3 time s a day and my milk came back in great and if I felt my supply was low and I'd drink a beer the night before then the next day I'd have lots of milk again. Pumping was hard and it took lots of dedication but it was worth it and I'm proud to say i did it until she was 12 months then i quit pumpping and only nursed her when I was with her. It is amazing what your body adapts to and it remembers your schedule and there is always enough milk. Now we are down to morning and night only. I feel you on the weight loss issue. I gained 35 pounds pregnant and lost 35 pounds after. I am still fighting the extra weight loss and people tell me hopefully when I am done nursing it will come off. I think some people lose it breastfeeding and some people just don't get as lucky. Good luck to you and i hope you get in a routine with it. Let me know if you have any other questions. you can email me at jellybellyjean@yahoo.com
so as far as the weight thing goes...some women respond well to the breastfeeding and it pours off, others just don't....just keep it up b/c if anything its fabulous for ur baby! for the pumping issue...u just want to pump as frequently as possible. The best time to pump (where u get the post) is after u feed first thing in the morning. If he only nurses on 1 side, pump the other side after u feed. Pump after every feeding that u nurse as well. If u are at work, try to pump every 2 hrs. U want to trick ur body into thinking that he needs that much milk so u will start to produce more. It will take a little time but eventually u should be able to get rid of the formula and have enough BM for him during the day while you're gone. GL!
How often are you pumping, and for how long?
How much in the bottles when you are away, and how often?
What pump do you use?
The rule for amounts to be left is 1-1.25 oz per hour, this is so that baby sees bottles as a low supply time, and you as a high supply time. You should pump every morning, preferably as baby nurses from the other side- no it will not short baby if baby wants both sides. Pumping at work, most women find that pumping every 2 1/2-3 hours, for about fifteen minutes at a time. Breast compressions while pumping and hand expressing for a few minutes after can help maximize your output.
Quoting preacherskid:
A few questions-
How often are you pumping, and for how long?
How much in the bottles when you are away, and how often?
What pump do you use?
The rule for amounts to be left is 1-1.25 oz per hour, this is so that baby sees bottles as a low supply time, and you as a high supply time. You should pump every morning, preferably as baby nurses from the other side- no it will not short baby if baby wants both sides. Pumping at work, most women find that pumping every 2 1/2-3 hours, for about fifteen minutes at a time. Breast compressions while pumping and hand expressing for a few minutes after can help maximize your output.
I can better help with answers to those questions above!
We need more info from you, but here's some info FOR you in the meantime.
1. Baby needs only 1 - 1.25 ounces per hour you're separated, NO MORE. More is overfeeding.
2. Normal pump output is half an ounce to two ounces total.
3. One session for every 3 hours away from baby. You might add a morning session before going to work... baby nurses WHILE you pump.
4. Fenugreek, 3000 mg daily, washed down with at least 3 cups mother's milk tea per day. Both at the health food store.
5. Bottle servings of about three ounces, more or less.
6. SLOW feeding... one ounce, burp, next ounce, burp.
7. Pump choice counts... check out our recommendations linked on our resources sticky.
Quoting preacherskid:
A few questions-
How often are you pumping, and for how long?
How much in the bottles when you are away, and how often?
What pump do you use?
The rule for amounts to be left is 1-1.25 oz per hour, this is so that baby sees bottles as a low supply time, and you as a high supply time. You should pump every morning, preferably as baby nurses from the other side- no it will not short baby if baby wants both sides. Pumping at work, most women find that pumping every 2 1/2-3 hours, for about fifteen minutes at a time. Breast compressions while pumping and hand expressing for a few minutes after can help maximize your output.
Hi First thank you ladies! I pump at least 3 times daily. I usually get 1 to 2 ounces each side, however my son seems to eat all evening and I have a really hard time keeping a steady stock. I have a Medela.
How many ounces are his bottles?
Are you giving him bottles when you are home at night or strictly breast at home?
Your pump output is perfect. How long are you gone? I see ne reason that you'd be having trouble unless he's being over fed.
In order to get my supply up (which it sounds like you need to do just a bit) I pumped after every daytime feeding and stored the left over breast milk until my supply was strong.
I kept on the same schedule my babies were on; so if they were up at 7am nursing and eating every 3 hours when I was home I pumped for another 10 minutes or so each side after the baby completely emptied my breasts (and if I was at work I pumped the same schedule.)
I just watched my baby and their habits and followed accordingly so I could continue nursing when I was home on my days off.
I also rented a hospital grade double pump. They have been proven to increase your supply and not just maintain it.
What were the signs?
- Jaredsgirl12
on Mar. 16, 2012 at 5:10 PM