If i pump in between feedings, does that take away from his next feeding? I feel like he does not get satisfied at his next feeding. I feed him about every 3 hours.
As long as he doesn't seem overly hungry and he's pooping and peeing and gaining weight, you are find! :)
Hi K.,
I am not a lactation consultant or a professional by any means (new mom to 5 mo old son!), but I do have some advice. I went back to work when Keegan was only 2 months, and was so worried about my milk supply and having enough for my husband and the grandmas to feed him. At first I would pump after feeding him when I was home, and didn't get very much. His peds nurse, a lactation consultant, told me that when you pump you are only getting 30-35% of what is there, but that a baby can completely empty the breast. So since I was pumping after his feeding I was only getting 30% of what was left! Now I pump in the early am before I feed him. I get almost 12 oz total when I used to only get 6 or so. I then feed him approx 10 - 20 minutes and he seems more than satisfied. Also, he is getting more of the 'hind milk' that is heavier and holds more fat and nutrients. My husband then gets up with him approx 3-4 hrs later and gives him a 6 oz bottle, 2 T cereal, and 1/4 jar of whatever food we are trying that week. I then pump at work 3x at the times that I would normally feed him. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it helps!!! I know that it really helped me not only build up my frozen supply again but gave me peace of mind that I could supply enough for my son eventhough I wasn't there to give it to him. Good luck!!!
I use to pump while I was feeding my daughter. I would pump a lot more during than I did in between feedings and I found her to be more satisfied. It was a little ackward at first holding her and the pump at my breasts, but it got easier. You could try that.
I think the guideline is to wait 1/2 hour after pumping to breastfeed so the milk can build back up. But if your baby doesn't seem to be getting enough, try pumping during long naps so the milk has more time to build back up. I recommend anyone who breastfeeds to join a breastfeeding support group such La Leche League. You can contact the Elizabeth Blackwell Center in Columbus (call Riverside Hospital at ###-###-#### for the number) and talk to a lactation consultant for free. Also check your local hospital for referrals for lactation consultants. Good luck!
Pumping between feedings may take away from the next feeding on the short term, but should help with milk production in the long term. Sometimes though, babies just like to "comfort nurse" and aren't actually eating, they are just nursing for comfort after their bellies are full. Let him nurse as long as he wants on each side. The longer he nurses, the more your breasts are stimulated and the more milk you will produce. Check out the K. Mom website. It has great info. for nursing moms. This section inparticular should answer some of your questions. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/milkproduction.html
If your baby is gaining weight steadily and sleeping well then he is doing fine. Good Luck and enjoy your baby, they grow up so soon.
I would suggest if you want to pump to build up storage to do it right after you feed him to get the extra out. Pump for 2 minutes after the last drop.
If you feed him every 3 hours and pump right in the middle, you would have to do it right in the middle every day for the exact same feed or else the breast will not know to make more milk. So, unless you have done it since birth, he would notice the less milk and may be less satisfied.
You body knows how much to make based on how much comes out and how often. It is truely fascinating. I would suggest seeking help from a lactation consultant for more in depth answers.
The way your body works, when you ask for more milk, it delivers. When my son was born he was in the NICU and I remember once I pumped and then right after they called me to go and feed him. I thought I wouldn't have any milk left (and new mom emotions made me pretty upset about that!), but the lactation nurse assured me that the baby is MUCH more efficient at getting the milk than the pump, and that your body will just let down more milk when it's stimulated by nursing.
I'm a stay at home mom, and I pump to have a back-up frozen supply in case we need it.
Defintiely get in contact with LaLeche League in your area.
(http://www.llli.org/) They are WONDERful!!!!! I went to their meetings before I gave birth and was much more confident and knowledgeable when the time came.
Pumping will not take away from what your baby needs. PERIOD
Your body will produce as much as is needed.
There is also a great book...
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
you can get it on Amazon.com for about 13 bucks (http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Seventh-I...)
I got it from the library but ended up buying a used one somewhere cheap! If you have any other questions, just post again :)
your breast milk should replenish it's self. Why pump when it is only 3 hours? Are you that uncomfortable ? If not stop the pumping or at least save it to give to him later in a bottle.
Just a question for you. If he is eatting every three hours why are you pumping between his feedings?
Research has shown that your body will produce as much milk as demanded, assuming your calories and fluids are adequate. Give your body a day or two to beef up production. I'm feeding and pumping for my 6-weeker, too (my third), and he's growing well and my milk is fine. I find I need to be on top of my water intake or I feel blah trying to make all this milk without enough fluid intake. Keep up the good work, mama!
K.,
Congrats on the baby!!!
Why do you pump in between feedings?
Not that it's wrong, I just wonder why so soon-going back to work??
Pumping in between should help to stimulate more breast milk production, but pump immediately after he eats, not so much in between. This way your body will still think he's nursing and nursing more.(causing your body to increase production for that "hungry" baby.
Good Luck! Don't get discouraged.
R.
If you do it regularly, your body will adjust to this and will make milk for pumping and for your son.
Try pumping right after he has finished his first morning feed. I used to do this regularly....would feed my baby and then would still get a 6 ounce bottle- 3 oz from each side.
Our bodies are amazing and will accomodate.
K.,
It might at first, but after while your body will start producing more milk, than if you weren't pumping.
K.
yes!! i know first hand and i delt w/many lactation consultants...... pump right after feedings. at first you won't get much but day by day you'll produce enough to pump and feed baby
Hi mother of two breastfed kids, that used to be a concern when i first started but, i was told and it is true that the more your breast is stimulated the more milk it will produce to keep up with your baby. don't worry and just eat as healthy as you can, because what you take in the baby does as well. Note: My doctor told me that if i did not eat well sometimes your bofy produces a toxin that may harm the baby. I don't mean to scare you just an FYI.
and congratulations:)
Hi K.. Congrats on your new baby. I am a lactation consultant. I have similar questions - why are you pumping? Is anything going on - like poor weight gain? Did you start birth control pills? That an affect milk supply. Are you pumping between every feeding? That's twice the work!! At 6 weeks, baby goes thru a "growth spurt" and do want to nurse more. To make things easier on you and him - I would just nurse him every 2 hrs during the day. That will build your milk supply and make for a happy, fuller boy.
In general, if you are pumping to increase your milk supply - just pump every other feeding (4X a day) RIGHT AFTER you nurse - for a few minutes. We call this "insurance pumping". If you are pumping to save up milk for Dad or Grandma to give when are back to work soon - just pump one time in the morning. Your milk supply is best in the morning. Good luck!
K. -
You have a very valid question and it sounds like you only want to do the best for your baby! I wanted to pump to have a frozen back up for when I returned to work or would not be home. The best option is to pump after he is finished eating. This will stimulate your body to make more milk but will allow enough for him to eat next time.
You body may only be making small amounts of milk at short intervals since you are feeding then pumping about every 1.5 hours.
If you live in Columbus the Elizabeth blackwell center I believe at Riverside Hospital is a great resource. Also try calling the lactation team at whatever hospital you delivered. I am a nurse and thought I knew a lot about breastfeeding until I had a child. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I was but glad once I learned to do so!
You are doing a great job and providing your baby with wonderful nutrients and creating a bond like no other! I miss the time I was able to spend with my son when he was BF. Now I get hugs and kisses in return!
It shouldn't as long as your pumping schedule is consistent--the same amount and same time every day. Your body will eventually get the routine and make up for the milk supply. However, if you pump between feedings here and there, you may find that there is not enough at the next feeding. I produced a lot of milk and was usually engorged in the mornings. I found that if I pumped one side first thing in the morning and fed from the other side, that was a good way to build up my frozen supply.
usually you would want to pump at a time when you would normally breastfeed and offer a bottle at that time (like when they're at daycare for example). What is your reason for pumping?
no it doesn't. It will just increase the next time he needs to feed. The Wonderful thing about breastfeeding is that there is always enough milk. You need to make sure that you are drinking enough water and that he is sucking really good.
the more you pump, the more you make.
Enjoy it! (mother of 4, all breastfed babies)
