https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:52:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2510290 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 09:47:05 +0000 LulaBee 2510290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With DD2, I started pumping some around 4 weeks to build up a stash. I wish I had taken it more seriously though, as when my period started at 3 months pp my supply dropped and now that I'm back at work it takes me 2 days to pump enough for one day at daycare, so I'm going through stash quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2510152 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 07:56:52 +0000 JenGirl 2510152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started at 2 weeks. At that time I was pumping after the first morning feed every day. Since my supply was still regulating at that point, I gave myself a nice oversupply. At about 4 weeks we introduced a bottle and I would pump when my husband gave a bottle (took several weeks to get used to the bottle, but it worked eventually). Then I added a just before bed pump when my son started sleeping through the night. Then, obviously, pumping at work when I went back. </p> <p>This system worked out really well for me. I have an oversupply that means I never worry about having enough milk, but not so much that it's a problem (I make about 10 extra ounces per day). I donate my excess. I was saving for a conference that I went to a couple weeks ago and now that we're though that I'm planning to send a big donation to my milk bank today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509981 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:51:33 +0000 LovelyPlum 2509981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pumped from the very beginning, because we had trouble establishing a latch during those first two days. I started in a real routine with my double electric when she was a few weeks old-before that, it was always just the hand pump. I pumped in the MOTN after a feed when my milk was low (probably not necessary, but I was freaking out), and I pumped for a few minutes either right after or right before she ate. After a little bit (can't remember when), I switched to only nursing one side at a time and pumping the other side. That's what I continued with through the rest of our time nursing together.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509980 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:49:54 +0000 simplyfelicity 2509980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When DS was four days old because we needed to supplement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509976 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:43:30 +0000 FannyMae 2509976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right from day one in the hospital, she was jaundiced so was eating very slowly and I pumped to get my milk going. She is now 18 weeks and I pump once a day, early in the morning. I did stop for a week or so when she was about 3 weeks because I was in boob agony and I needed time to heal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509918 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 19:24:53 +0000 OldpuebloJenn 2509918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work at 12 weeks, so I began pumping at 8 weeks. I'd pump after the 5am feed. I only worked 4 hours a day, so I pumped at 5 and once at work and that was enough for a stash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509912 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 19:17:56 +0000 Bluebonnet 2509912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping around 3 weeks and gave a bottle around 3 weeks too. I was able to EBF until 12 months and WOH. I really liked the comotomo bottles and they worked for both my kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509897 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 18:54:38 +0000 DesertDreams88 2509897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2449201" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2449201</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509895 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 18:51:44 +0000 DesertDreams88 2509895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started at 2 weeks, once a day, in the afternoon or evening when DH was home to watch baby. I would feed LO,shower, and then pump. Showering gives you time to "refill" and relax, to help encourage letdown. We started a bottle at 4 weeks and that was an up and down process but I think we've got it now at 8 weeks, in time for me to go back to work. Our rule is this: if he wakes for a feeding between 5-6 when DH is getting ready for work, DH feeds him the bottle. If not, then the bottle is saved for when DH gets home, and I pump and nap then (or shower and pump). I froze weeks 2-4, and weeks 4-8 I usually set aside 3 oz for a bottle and then freeze anything else. By doing this I have 70+ oz frozen which is about 20 bottles worth. I would not do anything differently, except to try pumping more in the morning vs the afternoon. But it all depends on LO and my sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509880 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 18:18:09 +0000 Lilbear 2509880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping when LO was 3 days old. I just pumped one time in the morning after the morning feed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509842 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 17:00:02 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2509842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right away after the first fees of the day. DH gave one bottle a day for the entire first year. (More when I was out or something, but always a bottle before bed that I had pumped that morning. I picked up an evening pump around 2 months to make sure my supply didn't dip). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509834 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:47:42 +0000 catomd00 2509834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>10 weeks only a little every other day or so to get bottle practice in before going back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509823 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:36:07 +0000 mdf106 2509823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I moved to size 1 when DH complained that feedings were taking too long, I don't remember when that was. I never moved past size 1. Also, I used basic Ameda bottles with the nipples. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509814 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:27:37 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2509814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't start until week 6. I wish I would have started a little earlier, then maybe DD wouldn't hate the bottle so much. Only one person is able to get her to take one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509808 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:17:00 +0000 pachamama 2509808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: The nurses at the hospital had me pumping the night I gave birth! I pumped colostrum then my milk came in nice 3 days later. They told me to pump after almost every feeding early on. I did like every 3rd til I got home from the hospital. Whatever they suggested worked bc my son is a wonderful nurser and my supply is great. I pump every morning for my DH to do a midnight feeding. I'm 11 weeks PP.<br /> We introduced the bottle for night feeding at 3 weeks. He took to it with no problem at all and no nipple confusion. We are very lucky everything worked out.<br /> I would definitely not do anything different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509787 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:41:41 +0000 PawPrints 2509787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started around 4 weeks when we introduced the pacifier and the bottle, just so we could have one bottle per day to offer her and get her used to it. I pumped in the evening after she went to bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509784 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:40:31 +0000 Mrs D 2509784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: good idea on the premie nipple...how long would you use it for? I started with medela slow last time and moved up to the faster ones around 4 months...</p> <p>@Run2shore: good to know about the ideal timing...I'll work on getting my pumping supplies ready this week and maybe be ready to start after 4-5 weeks... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509774 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:24:26 +0000 Run2shore 2509774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping at 4 weeks. I would pump once a day, usually after the first morning feed. I was able to build up a nice stash. We introduced a bottle at 4 weeks as well. We did 1 bottle a day for the next 8 weeks. I returned to work after 12 weeks, and LO has not had trouble going between breast and bottle - she is 4.5 months now.</p> <p> I am happy with how our plan worked out. I think it is good peace of mind to have a stash before you start back to work, and it is definitely good to have the baby used to receiving a bottle. My LLL leader said the golden time to introduce a bottle is between 4-6 weeks, when BF is going well. Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509772 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:23:51 +0000 mdf106 2509772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both times I started pumping at 2 weeks, and went back to work at 6 weeks. I probably would have started later otherwise. I pumped twice a day right after a feeding the first time, and once a day the second. Earlier in the day is better, but it was usually midday by the time I could pump, because I prioritized breakfast and showering over pumping. I introduced a bottle haphazardly at around 4 weeks both times. If DH gave a bottle I would pump at around that time. Both babies took a bottle okay but prefer nursing. I think 4-6 weeks is supposed to be the optimal time to introduce a bottle. If you are worried about a bottle preference, I recommend a very slow flow nipple. I used the Dr. Brown's premie nipple. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509767 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:16:52 +0000 Adira 2509767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started around 3-4 weeks and originally just pumped after that very first morning feed. Eventually I worked up to pumping after every feed during the day in order to build up my supply before I went back to work. We introduced a bottle around 4 weeks, but since both kids took to them right away, we weren't super consistent about offering bottles regularly and maybe only gave them one once a week (or less). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509765 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:15:45 +0000 Mrs D 2509765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies!!!</p> <p>With DD1 I never really established a structured bottle routine and then when I went back to work at 12 w she pretty quickly protested the boob...then rejected BM all together...it was quite frustrating...hoping to be able to nurse DD2 for longer after I return to work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509760 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:11:19 +0000 mfa_lady 2509760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started right around 3 weeks, because I had to go back to work at 10. I pumped about 30 minutes after her first morning feed, until I had a couple of ounces that I could feed her in a bottle that evening. Then, whenever I did an evening bottle (well, DH did the bottle) I'd pump to replace that feed. Don't know if it's related, but we never had any issues with nipple confusion or her taking a bottle. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509755 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:05:13 +0000 avivoca 2509755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping a little at 4 days old to relieve engorgement. I had a decent little stash built up but then she got thrush TWICE during my maternity leave and I had to dump it all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509744 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:54:05 +0000 MamaBear87 2509744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started around 4 weeks I think. I just pumped after one feed and sometimes in the morning since lo only ate one side. I ended up with a decent little stash as dh only fed her about every 3 days. Worked for us, but I sah so wasn't too concerned about building a stash. And then we lost it all when we moved :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-momswhen-did-you-introduce-pumping#post-2509721 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:37:31 +0000 Mrs D 2509721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...E is 3 weeks today...she had a great 2 week check up on Friday (birth weight 7lbs 5oz, dropped to 6lbs 10oz at 4 days...) and weighed in at 7lbs 14oz. Ped was super happy...</p> <p>It has me thinking about starting to pump to 1) build up a small stash 2) give DH a chance to feed her and 3) introduce a bottle earlier with hopes of getting her accustomed to both nipple and bottle early so I can BF longer with her than I was able to with K (who quit nursing the minute I went back to work).</p> <p>When did you start pumping? When did you do it (after each nursing session?) - how frequently did you pump? Did you start feeding a bottle right away? What would you do differently if you were starting all over again? </p>