I have a four week old that I exclusively breastfeed. I am wanting to pump so I can build up a supply of milk to store for later. I am trying to figure out a good pumping schedule. Any suggestions?
When i was exclusively breastfeeding, i just pumped after they nursed and i would slowly build up a supply.
My sil tried to pump or feed every two hours....but always seemed he wake when she was done and want to eat, she'd have no milk, so she'd end up feeding him what she just pumped. So now she just pumps after he eats.
My LC (lactation consultant) told me to pump after nursing, double pumping (both sides at the same time) for at least 10 minutes and the most important pump should be just before you go to bed, for at least 20 minutes. Always after you nurse the baby, you should pump. But I agree with other mom's who suggested you contact a lactation consultant. Make sure she is certified (IBCLC).
I would nurse my son then pump. I had plenty of exta milk. I always pumped until noting came out for 2-3 mins.. that signled my body to make more after doing that for 2-3 days.
I worked full time. My schedule was:
Morning, after first feeding
10 am at work
2 pm at workp
Fed when we got home, pumped about 6 pm
10 pm before bed.
Yep 5 times a day. but only for the first year. that was my personal pumping cut off. I nursed until it was okay to put them on milk.
If you feel like no supply. Of course drink lots of water, fenuegreek, general good eating.
Congratulations and good luck
Talk to a lactation consultant, but I have heard that pumping after you have nursed encourages supply and doesn't interfere with production for when your baby normally nurses.
Sometimes my baby would only eat from one side at s feeding and I would pump the other side. Sometimes while the baby was nursing. It was easier to get milk, although a little tricky to hold, so have someone help you at first. Do you notice the other breast leaking when baby is nursing? Pop that pump on an take advantage of the natural let down reflex!
I started pumping in the night or when DD was napping. You may also find it helpful to pump in the AM, before baby's first feed, especially if baby is sleeping better at night.
See also http://kellymom.com/category/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/
When my babies were newborns, I pumped right after the morning feeding, when I was exploding and engorged. That way I wasn't in pain for the rest of the morning, but the baby got plenty to eat first.
When my babies found a night pattern, I also pumped right before I went to bed, so that I wasn't waking super early because I was engorged.
By the end of my maternity leave (6-8 weeks, but I work from home, so still nursed), I dropped the morning pump and just pumped at night before bed. Occasionally, I would pump after other feedings if bursting. I would pump before leaving the house if I knew I was going to miss a feeding.
I nursed exclusively, no formula, for a year with each, had plenty stored to have dates with hubby, freedom to be out and give a bottle if needed, enough for my babies to spend days with grandmas twice a week and enough to escape for a weekend when each of them were still nursing.
You'll find a routine that works for you and baby. Good luck!
