Comments on: breastfeeding & want to pump?

By: maegs33

maegs33 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:41 +0000

Will you need to pump when you are away from her? How many feeding will you be gone for? If you’re gone only once or twice a week for one feed, a manual pump might be fine. If you’re gone for one or two feedings a day, you need a double electric. They might seem expensive, my Ameda Purely Yours was 180, but it’s cheaper than even 2 months of formula.

I work fulltime and pump. I do something called "Tandem pumping" that’s when you nurse on one side and pump the other. I do that the first morning feed of the day. That usually gives me enough for the feeding that I’m away for.

If you want to get a good supply now, I recommend starting tandem pumping and just putting it straight into the freezer. Use the bags made for breastmilk since they are thicker and actually sterile (vs. plain ziploc.) Sometimes I will tandem pump even that first feed on weekends so I can stockpile (milk keeps 4-6 months in the freezer, keep it in the back part, not the door.)

Generally, you need to plan about 20 minutes for each pumping session. Pumping is a skill that takes practice. I’ve heard of women who get really great at a manual pump and don’t even like electric, who knows, that might be you. I’ve been really happy with my pump and it’s been very reliable. I’ve used it with two kids now and exclusively nursed.

More hints:
*When you are with the baby, nurse her. Don’t do any bottle feeding yourself.
*Be patient with your baby as bottle feeding is a different skill than nursing.
*If you feel your supply is dropping, it might be a growth spurt. *If you honestly feel like it’s dropping, spend a couple days in bed with the baby with skin to skin contact.
*The number one way to make enough milk is to nurse her on demand.
*ANY problem can be overcome if you do the research and find a solution

By: LaLa™

LaLa™ — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:41 +0000

you can pump right after you feed her and completely empty your breasts…that way you know shes getting enough at her regular feeding and your just pumping the extra…i dont think your milk will dry up…supply and demand…if anything you might produce more….good luck!

By: Elana W

Elana W — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:41 +0000

Your body is designed to cater to your baby. the more milk thats sucked out of you, the more your breasts make. First thing about the pump.. DONT PUT IT ON HIGH SUCKAGE!!!!! attach it to your breast and turn it on, then adjust the suckage until milk starts coming it. The pump is so time consuming so be prepared to sit and pump for 30-1hour to get a good amount out of milk out.

By: La.Livin'

La.Livin' — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:41 +0000

You go girl! Congrats. You are a number one mom already for wanting to breast feed while you’re going back to school.

I tried a manual pump and it was worthless. A drop here and there. An electric pump was the best thing ever invented. The more you pump, the more you make, so don’t worry about drying up. I’m not sure about freezing it; I don’t remember if you can do that, it’s been a while.

I’ve always heard you don’t microwave breast milk since it destroys much of the nutrients. I believe the bottles might be good for 30 days in the fridge, but check on that. I put dates on each bottle, and just keep on pumping.

Using the pump gave me freedom to actually leave the house, it let others enjoy feeding my son, and made such a world of difference. And it was easy.

My son was never sick, and I attribute that largely to breastfeeding and the nutrients he got there that you cannot replace or buy anywhere!
Good luck!

By: xxtrasweetchocolate

xxtrasweetchocolate — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:41 +0000

OooH ooh ooh I know I know!I’m a first time mom too! just had my baby girl 5 WEEKS AGO!!! so Hooray for you!! & Congratulations! I pump & nurse! PUMPING WILL NOT DRY UP YOUR MILK SUPPLY! On the contrary it will INCREASE it. Nurse her whenever you can, but when you have to use the bottle to feed her the breastmilk, I’d suggest you use either a Dr. Brown’s WIDE neck bottle or a First years BREASTFLOW bottles. That way she won’t be confused when she switches from breast to bottle back & forth. I read a lot before I had my baby so I’ve actually done all these things I’m advising you about & it’s going WONDERFULLY so far! Best of luck to you and you baby! I hope my advise will work for you hon! Oh & before I forget, I have both a manual & electronic breast pump, they both work exceptionally well & the Isis one is a VERY GOOD manual pump but I would suggest the AMEDA purely yours or the Avent ISIS iQ DUO Twin Electronic Breast Pump.

By: Fotomama

Fotomama — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:16:41 +0000

Pumping does not dry up your milk. If you have a good pump, you can get several ounces at one time. I usually let baby feed on one side and then pumped on the other. The thing about breast-milk is that it’s a supply and demand thing…demand goes up, so does supply.

You can store it in the deep freezer for up to six months. In the freezer above your fridge for up to three months. When you take it out, defrost it in cold water for a few hours, or in the fridge.

I don’t know about your brand of pump. Mine was a Medella and it was the Cadillac of breast pumps…same brand as used in hospitals. It was really great, and it didn’t hurt. Your pump should not hurt you…and there were brands which I found uncomfortable to painful. I liked electric better than hand-pumping too.

Good luck to you!