https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:29:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2575876 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:50:55 +0000 Mrs D 2575876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to post an update - in case others find this!</p> <p>Current routine:<br /> 5:45 - nurse<br /> 6:45 - pump at home (3oz)<br /> 10 - pump at work (4oz)<br /> 2/3 - pump at work (4oz)<br /> 5:30/6pm - pump (if LO just had a bottle at DC) or nurse<br /> 10pm - pump (4.5oz)</p> <p>DD is 4 mos and eating as follows:<br /> 5:45 - nurse<br /> 10am - 4.5oz<br /> 2pm - 4.5oz<br /> 5/6pm - 4.5oz or nurse<br /> 9pm - 6oz formula</p> <p>So I am getting 15.5oz each day and sending 9oz to daycare (I send a third bottle but she rarely has it). The bottle of formula is a lifesaver from both a sleeping perspective and from being able to keep up with her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566974 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:48:45 +0000 Mrs D 2566974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So - I did 9:30 and 12:30...got 3.75oz and 3.25oz...going back at 3:30...</p> <p>I am thinking about trying a small bottle of formula tonight to get her to sleep through the night...that would give me an extra chance to pump overnight...plus I dont mind supplementing one bottle a day... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566795 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 09:51:23 +0000 DenverMom 2566795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I think you've received great advice above. I wanted to add that my pumping output did not regulate until a month or so after starting back at work. So don't stress too much about output yet.</p> <p>My daughter also woke up to three times in the middle of the night (and she still wakes 1-2 times at one year old). I would nurse her first thing in the morning, so around 6 am. Then my pumping schedule was: (1) when I get to work around 8 or 830; (2) around noon, usually right before lunch; and (3) around 330 pm. So I spaced my pumping about every three hours during the day. I would then pump again right before bed, but I dropped this session after about five months or so.</p> <p>Another "trick" that helped me was to power pump a few times. I would usually do this during the noon pumping session and do it while eating lunch and surfing the web. So I would pump 10 min on/10 min off for an hour. After a day or two of that my body got the message and my output increased. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566693 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 08:46:34 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2566693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: There also could be a chance that you just have a higher fat content BM with less ounces. If you have been eating and nursing like that for 14 weeks and things are going fine, I think your pumping output is still in the range of normal. So I would try not to stress. The lower ounces may be normal for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566675 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 08:11:53 +0000 Mrs D 2566675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I watch what I eat...and track my intake...I always have. Plus - I have been eating this way for the 14 weeks I have been nursing and have had no issues with her weight gain so I dont think it is all of the sudden my diet/eating habits! I know some people need to increase their intake - but for me it seems I do fine on lower calories...plus - I eat when I am hungry...I certainly dont starve myself... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566665 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 07:58:13 +0000 irene 2566665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Actually why/how would you know exactly how much calories you ate... are you on a diet? Don't worry about dieting when you are breastfeeding.... I was doing the math and when I was full on pumping/breastfeeding 5-6 sessions a day (4-6 oz per session), I burn 600 calories just pumping, per day. I was stick thin, no belly, while eating like a horse. So don't worry. You need to eat more than 1700 calories..... xoxoxoxoxo best wishes.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566661 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 07:53:25 +0000 Mrs D 2566661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Day 2...I'm heading to pump shortly (doing this earlier today as some of you suggested). Today I will definitely get 3 sessions in at work...</p> <p>Yesterday I got 1.5oz at 6:30am (after nursing); 3oz at 10:30am, 3.5oz at 2:30pm and 1.5oz at 10pm. So I 9oz which is about what she takes in her 2 bottles while I am at work...so we're good. I drank 125oz of water, had one beer late last night (cant hurt right?!?!) and totaled about 1700 calories.</p> <p>We'll see what I can get today. Fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566571 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:08:55 +0000 DesertDreams88 2566571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you don't have time to make lactation cookies, I found that storebought oatmeal raisin or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies did the trick for me. Maybe not as "clean" as you want, but yummy and milk producing! I would eat one or two for during each pump session, so something I looked forward to and helped me relax ( as other previous posters have mentioned.)</p> <p>I also fiddled with my settings, sometimes turning it off for a minute and turning it back on in the letdown setting. I echo other previous posters in saying breast massage really helps.</p> <p>Laatly, don't cut your pump sessions short. I made a habit of doing that too often, and over 7 weeks my daily output decreased by about 25%. I used to have a surplus of 5-6oz per day, now I have to dip into the freezer almost daily for 1-2 more oz. So even though pumping can be boring and annoying, make those minutes count! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566545 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 23:08:14 +0000 brownie 2566545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am on my second full time working baby. I only get 3 oz in a pumping session. That is all I have ever gotten. So I have to assume she doesn't get much more than that when nursing. So I nurse both kids frequently. For my son the morning nurse and pump was most successful but that was just supplemental. You should only need 1-2 oz per hour you are away from baby. </p> <p>Now the other nursing mom at my kids daycare is a freaking fountain and can fill up a bottle in no time flats. Wow! So everyone is different. I would see if baby is doing fine with what you offer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566542 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 23:01:15 +0000 irene 2566542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read the other's response but here is what I think:</p> <p>1. 1500 calories is what I eat WITHOUT BREASTFEEDING, and I am between 105-110 lbs! Wow! Aren't you hungry? You need to eat more to make more milk. I was constantly hungry and ate nonstop when I was breastfeeding.</p> <p>2. Stress with first day of work and the big change of leaving your baby. When I first returned to work I went crazy within the first few days/weeks, drinking crazy amount of water and worry about pumping and ended up went to the ER. So in a way 3 oz is "normal" for the situation you are in right now.</p> <p>3. Back then I think I got 6-7 oz at 7am (if I pump not nurse), 5-6 oz at 10am, 5 oz at lunch time, and 3-5 oz at 3pm. So it decreases as the day goes.</p> <p>4. Did you say you pump only 1 time and got 3 oz? I think you should plan on pumping 3 times a day down the road, 15-20 min each time. Have your baby's photo with you and look at it when you pump.... </p> <p>5. try to relax when you pump. Find a time/location that you will not stress out. Milk is not going to come out if you get stress out. Easy to say hard to do but that's science.</p> <p>6. Have you tried lactation cookies? Those things make me pump 8 oz a session!</p> <p>7. Are you using a double electric pump?</p> <p>8. If you REALLY want to up the volume, add one extra pumping session somewhere during the day.... it can be after work, even an hour after you nurse your baby to sleep at night. It will really up your volume overall and it helps build up a stash. I used to pump at around 8:30pm (I remember my baby slept through from 6:30pm to at least 10:30pm... and later on he sleeps through till 2am) for months, and my freezer was filled with milk because of that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566536 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 22:37:08 +0000 Kemma 2566536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried hand expressing to finish off your pump session? I have heard that some women can get an extra ounce or so with hand expression! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566396 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:49:45 +0000 pastemoo 2566396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: w hat pump do you have? What size flanges? Have you met with a lactstion consultant about pumping? And also there isn't a lot of milk in a single session. You're going great </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566376 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:18:59 +0000 mrswin 2566376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I agree with the other ladies 0.5 oz at an afternoon pumping session is great! Give it some time and try no to stress about it too much. </p> <p>Also Kellymom is an awesome resource and has good information on pumping. One thing she suggests is that you only send what you pump the next day with the understanding that your baby will just nurse more when you are together to make up for it. This is obviously only if you are just a couple ounces short. </p> <p>Last thing but just like you and I the baby won't necessarily eat the same amount at each feeding. She may get a really good feed in first thing in the morning when you nurse and then not need as much at 10am ish. </p> <p>Any milk you pump for your little one is great! It is so tough going back to work :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566308 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:58:51 +0000 catomd00 2566308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I went back to wrk with DD, the first few weeks I had to pump in the morning before work and at night again to get enough. After a few weeks though I could get the full 12-15 oz in 3 sessions at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566286 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:37:57 +0000 kiddosc 2566286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Did you notice if you had a second letdown in that extra time? The extra time doesn't do you much good if you don't get a letdown. That took some "practice" for me. My body almost had learn that I was waiting for a second letdown. It took longer for that to come at first, but eventually it didn't take as long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566274 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:24:16 +0000 mfa_lady 2566274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Sometimes it takes a while for your body to get used to the pumping schedule! If you can manage it, I'd try sticking to the 30-minute pumping sessions for a week or so. In a perfect world, your body would get used to the "demand" during those times" and start producing more milk. I know that's so hard when you're not seeing the reward right away, but it's worth a shot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please/page/2#post-2566273 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:23:51 +0000 lilyofthewest 2566273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I've always gotten more in my morning sessions than my afternoon or evening ones for the same amount of pump time. So, the fact that you got a half ounce more in the afternoon is really promising! I'd try going for 25-30 minutes in your morning session tomorrow and seeing how it goes before declaring it a bust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566221 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:50:06 +0000 Mrs D 2566221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well - I pumped for 30 mins...I got .5oz more than my 15 min session.</p> <p>I dont know - I think I'd rather add a whole additional session for 15 mins - then bump all my sessions to 30 mins for only .5oz? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566219 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:49:21 +0000 Mrs D 2566219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: I have been pumping RIGHT AFTER nursing E in the morning and get 1.5oz then...maybe I should wait and pump right when I get to work (like 1.5-2hrs after feeding?)?</p> <p>@mfa_lady: Thank you for the input! So like I said to peaches maybe I need to nurse earlier in the morning, closer to the first nursing session? Or maybe I just dont have enough "extra" because of her MOTN nursing session she still has? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566191 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:25:07 +0000 mfa_lady 2566191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You've gotten a lot of great ideas so far! I agree with the good fats/more calories--that helped even more than Fenugreek for me. I also had to pump 30 minutes at work each time. My DD took 3 bottles while I was at work, and from about 3 - 6 months I was really stressed about supply. I finally found a rhythm that worked for me, though, and even though it involved a lot of pumping, it got us over that hump and I even ended up with hundreds of ounces in the freezer! Here was my schedule on weekdays:</p> <p>6:45/7:00AM: Nurse at home<br /> 7:45ish: Pump at home (for 10 - 15 minutes)<br /> [10:00AM: E had a bottle at the sitter's]<br /> 10:30/11:00AM: Pump at work (for 30 minutes)<br /> [1:00PM: E had a bottle at the sitter's]<br /> 3:30/4:00PM: Pump at work (for 30 minutes)<br /> [4:00PM: E had a bottle at the sitter's]<br /> 5:30/6:00PM: Nurse at home (she'd literally nurse for like two minutes, but I liked that session since she got a bottle of pumped milk before bed--she slept better that way)<br /> 7:30PM: E had a bottle before bed<br /> My bedtime (time varied): Pump at home (for 30 minutes)</p> <p>That's way more info than you need, but thought it might help to see how it worked out for me. I ended up adding that extra morning session at home because it helped me get an extra ounce or two (sometimes three!) for peace of mind. </p> <p>Also, if you ARE able to build up a small freezer stash and can send frozen milk to daycare for a few days at a time, I'd highly suggest doing that. It sounds silly, but for me, it was so nice to send a handful of frozen bags at once instead of stressing over "will I make enough for tomorrow?!" every second that I was pumping. </p> <p>You got this--you're doing a great job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566152 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:54:22 +0000 peaches1038 2566152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You've gotten tons of great advice! I just wanted to chime in to say that I pump for at least 25-30 minutes 3x/day and usually get about 16 oz total. My best output is my first morning pump, which I do In the car on my way to work. I can easily get 4-5 oz per side in that first pump and then I get less for each subsequent session. </p> <p>So I feed DS at about 6, then pump from 630-7 in the car, again from 930-10 and from 1230-1 and then I nurse as soon as I get home at 4. </p> <p>I also start the pump low and then gradually increase the power as I progress through the session. Easier on the nips and seems to be effective for me. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566142 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:42:12 +0000 Mrs D 2566142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok - headed back to pump #2 for the day...going to go to 20-25 minutes and see if there is another let down. I dont have anything good to driink plus I need my water - so I am taking an apple to enjoy! I'll also try doing some hand compressions while pumping...</p> <p>Also - ordered the smaller flanges just in case that is it! Fingers crossed.</p> <p>I know 3oz isnt bad...I guess I just expected to be able to express closer to what I assume she is eating per session...nursing 5 times per day she would likely be consuming 5oz or so...right? Who knows!</p> <p>Fingers crossed it works - thanks again for all the input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566124 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:04:21 +0000 lilyofthewest 2566124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3oz doesn't sound too bad to me. Your LO will probably take somewhere between 3-5 ounces in each bottle, so, you're not so far behind.</p> <p>In order to keep ahead of the next day's demand I definitely always had to pump until a second letdown. For me, that typically came 17-19 minutes into pumping, and then it would take until 24-26 minutes (of total pumping) to finish that letdown. Then I'd spend another few minutes hand expressing what the pump wasn't getting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566102 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:32:36 +0000 hellobeeboston 2566102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: same! Grr </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566097 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:22:41 +0000 Mrs. Cereal 2566097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually had to pump for about 20 minutes in the beginning (probably until Little Bug was 5 months) and I generally got between 6 and 9 ounces in the morning. I found that doing something that distracted me from the fact that I was pumping really helped. Another thing I didn't see mentioned above was drinking gatorade. For some reason, this really helped my supply. I drank about 20-32 ounces of gatorade almost every day and it definitely made a difference. I now hate the taste of gatorade... :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566096 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:21:51 +0000 regberadaisy 2566096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: yes -- me too on the rib cage. I used to be 34 but now am 36. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566095 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:21:09 +0000 Bluebonnet 2566095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely check your flange size and change out your membranes. If I wasn't completely relaxed, I didn't pump as much. Since you are just transitioning back to work, cut yourself some slack and realize that part of the reduction in output is your body getting used to the new routine of being back at work and pumping.</p> <p>If LO is gaining weight, your diet should be fine (although make sure as you go back to work you keep up your water intake and protein intake). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566092 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:18:17 +0000 hellobeeboston 2566092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: how interesting - i never thought of pumping into a second letdown.... maybe i will try this today! and ditto to the ribcage, although mine is definitely permanently wider after 2 kids. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566088 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:16:51 +0000 hellobeeboston 2566088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you've gotten a lot of great advice already - smaller flanges worked well for me!</p> <p>also - you're just starting to pump - it takes a little time (I think) for your body to get into a groove with pumping - give it some time.</p> <p>I also pump 3x a day, and I only get about 8 or 9 oz after those 3 pumps. I usually do around 15-20 minutes... LO is 8 months.</p> <p>Also, I have had no freezer stash, and not the best supply, so we supplement - but a can of formula lasts a month or more as we just fill in missing gaps, and it's been totally fine... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-work-and-pumpingadvice-please#post-2566082 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:13:56 +0000 Mrs D 2566082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: I agree...I do best to zone out so I usually cruise the internet on my phone or facebook! I did bring some magazines to the pumping room too. Thankfully I can leave my stuff in there... </p>