https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 00:38:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2806063 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 14:02:17 +0000 mrswin 2806063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: It was a bummer but we made it through, I pumped until my DD was 1 and then we nursed in the evening until she was almost 15 months but I remember how tough it was in the beginning.</p> <p>The high lipase likely won’t be an issue but I try and point it out as a possibility before people go down the road freezing huge stashes :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2806054 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 13:17:14 +0000 periwinklebee 2806054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: ugh - that sucks. Thank you for the warning. I will definitely now test freeze a couple of ounces and make sure he'll take the defrosted milk before freezing more... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2806019 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 09:58:12 +0000 mrswin 2806019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Whatever you can manage to stash is great before going back to work but it is not necessary.</p> <p>A word of caution...I had 100oz in the freezer when I went back but we didn’t discover until I was at work and my DD was refusing to eat anything from a bottle that I had high lipase. My milk was fine fresh and if it has been refrigerated for up to 2 or 3 days but as soon as it was froze and defrosted my LO wouldn’t drink it. As a result the 100oz I had frozen couldn’t be used to supplement unless it was mixed with at least 3/4 breastmilk or she would refuse it.</p> <p>Once we discovered this we had to scald any milk I had before freezing it... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2806018 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 09:55:26 +0000 periwinklebee 2806018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Thank you, it's really encouraging! I know my baby's needs will also grow, but I have to remind myself to be patient. At the beginning my milk was slow to come in, and I think I'd half convinced myself that something was wrong and I'd never make milk :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2806014 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 09:19:08 +0000 DesertDreams88 2806014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: , it definitely sounds like you're doing everything you can. What you're describing sounds very normal for a newborn feeding experience, and your supply will definitely grow based on what you're doing.. I think I've read that it takes like 6 weeks or so to establish Supply? When I first started pumping those first few weeks, all I ever got was 2 ounces, but then it quickly grew to be 6-8oz, by 3 or 4 months. And I think that that growth was due to being consistent about it, it paid off. yes like you said the morning pump sessions were the most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2806008 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 07:46:34 +0000 periwinklebee 2806008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: @crazydoglady: Thank you!</p> <p>Right now pumping for 10-15 minutes immediately after three of the earlier feedings of the day is giving me in total best case scenario 4-5 oz. Later in the day I get very little pumping after feedings. And I give him a 3 oz top off bottle before bedtime at night because he still seems hungry after tons of cluster feeding. Hopefully my supply will adjust some in response to being more regular about the pumping sessions but currently the best case scenario is about 30-40 oz in storage. Pumping is also sort of stressful because my son doesn't go more than 2 hours between feedings and if he doesn't get a full feeding he will wake up about 15 minutes into his nap and cry inconsolably until he's back on the boob, which doesn't do much good if I've just pumped whatever is left in it... I'd say it wouldn't be worth it to have a measly amount in storage, but I want to see if I can get a supply boost to make the sessions more productive... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805985 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 21:59:24 +0000 crazydoglady 2805985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, I had about 1,000 oz but that was because I went back to work at 6 months pp and I only wanted to pump once a day at work. I only got 8-12 oz from that one session so having a pretty big stock pile was crucial. It worked out really well and I used every ounce of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805964 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 18:56:50 +0000 DesertDreams88 2805964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd want at least a couple days worth in the freezer, just in case you don't pump enough, he gets overfed that first week, or you forget the milk at work one day. So 30-40 oz? But of course, as others said, just one day is what you need.</p> <p>FWIW, I pumped almost every day of maternity leave, and did 1 bottle every other day. This gave me a stash of 100-200oz (honestly can't remember how much). When I went back to work, I was never really able to build my stash much more than that. I cycled through my stash by freezing Friday milk and using frozen milk on Mondays. My stash helped me supplement for an entire month or 2, and let me drop or end pump sessions early, giving me flexibility at work.</p> <p>Have you tried a haaka manual pump while nursing? It is such a cool concept and it's worked really well for me, even at only 1 wK postpartum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805890 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:43:33 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2805890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Yes the latest research that I have come across suggests both of the things you mentioned. So I will keep doing this for as long as I can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805885 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:39:17 +0000 periwinklebee 2805885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: I'm obviously not an expert, but from what I've heard babies can get the benefits of breastmilk even from just a small amount. And they mostly benefit in the very first weeks, before their digestive and immune systems are really up and running. It seems like you're doing a great job! </p> <p>@petitenoisette: It seems like so much with the whole ttc/pregnancy/breastfeeding process is a crapshoot, and I'm sure pumping output not the least amongst them... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805875 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:21:00 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2805875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Oh its so hard and the biggest reason I pump is because I really enjoy breastfeeding and don't want to give that up yet. Yes I know we can bond over a bottle and my husband could give her more feeds but at the same time I really like our time together. Giving formula has been one of the hardest things for me personally even if it really is best for my kiddo. If I do the math I know she is getting 1/2-2/3 of her calories from breast milk<br /> ETA: so all in all 1/3-1/2 of her calories from formula isn't too bad and she is still getting a lot of the benefits of breastfeeding and I am still getting my bonding and special time. My rule is once I pump less then 6oz a day in my 3 pump sessions I am going to stop pumping and she will get all formula at daycare. If I am still able to maintain any supply at all then I will breastfeed when we are together and then top up with formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805873 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:16:12 +0000 petitenoisette 2805873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mademoiselle3: Ok that's what I figured! I wanted to make sure @periwinklebee: didn't think that's how much she'd need just for daycare each day! :) </p> <p>My LO only ever ate 12 oz at daycare which I was able to pump and sometimes get an extra couple ounces stored. But echo others that don't stress if you have to supplement. I think it's just a crapshoot whether you produce enough or not when pumping! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805872 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:15:46 +0000 periwinklebee 2805872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: @cake2017: Thank you, this is really encouraging to hear! </p> <p>@snarkybiochemist: @Bluemasonjar: Thanks! In my experience with breastfeeding so far, a big part of what I value about it is the chance to cuddle/bond with my baby through it (though I know there are lots of ways besides bfing to do this). I think I do need to remind myself that this is what's most important to me and at some point being always stressed out about pumping will affect that, whereas supplementing with some formula is not a big deal. It's so helpful to hear that people have all different feeding mixes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805868 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:06:17 +0000 cake2017 2805868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn’t have much! Just enough for his feedings for 9 hours! I pump at work for the next day! My body just doesn’t produce “extra” but just enough for him! When a i am away from him I get enough milk for him for the next day. It’s been working out well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805840 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 13:22:09 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2805840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I can't remember but think I had 50 or so ounces saved up when I went back to work. I had a hard time pumping enough after a few months and started adding pumping sessions to try and compensate. I wish I had started supplementing with formula earlier and taken some of the pressure off myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805829 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 13:04:57 +0000 MrsSCB 2805829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I saw a lot of people talk online about the huge stashes they built up, and it made me very nervous. But I literally had enough to send on the first day of daycare, and after that it was just send what I pumped for the next day. If I had an ounce or two extra, I'd save it. I built up a small stash that way. So if you want to make a stash, that's fine, but don't stress about it! I pumped until a year and am still nursing once a day at 18 months, so not having a big stash did not negatively affect us at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805820 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:17:01 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2805820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I had enough pumped to get her through the first day but I do not pump enough to give E exclusively breast milk and my stash would need to be huge to make that happen. I pump 7ish ounces for a kid who eats 12 ounces during our 10 hrs apart. As much as it kills me to give her formula pumping was and is a rather miserable experience for me and I decided that making myself feel awful wasn't worth it and could potentially lead me down an anxiety road I would rather not travel. Building a stash is great if you have the supply and the mental capacity to do so, building a stash is less great if you do not have a great supply or if it is causing anxiety or depression. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805819 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:14:48 +0000 periwinklebee 2805819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: Thanks! I've started this week being super consistent about pumping after the same feeds, even if it means the baby has to fuss a bit while I deal with it, and am hoping my body will start responding and making more...</p> <p>@skinnycow: interesting! I guess it really drives home how stress or fatigue, etc can affect supply</p> <p>@Mademoiselle3: I also have no qualms about using a bit of formula to top off if needed (or more than a bit if needed), but that's pretty awesome to have such a large stash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805816 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:10:58 +0000 Mademoiselle3 2805816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: thanks! He drinks 30oz a day. He drinks about 18oz while I'm at work. He STTN so with naps, I have about 10 hours to make sure he gets the 30oz. </p> <p>He also didn't make the charts with his weight so I'm pretty anal about the whole thing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805814 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:04:02 +0000 skinnycow 2805814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Oh yes, that definitely happened and I totally forgot until you mentioned it! I would get the most on Mondays and by Friday I was pumping 3-4 oz less per day. I always had enough from extra pumped milk Mon/Tues so I didn't need to dip into my stash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805812 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:01:20 +0000 petitenoisette 2805812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mademoiselle3: nice stash! Does he drink 30 ounces total or just at daycare? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805802 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:40:41 +0000 Mademoiselle3 2805802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work at 4 months pp. I had 400 oz stored. At his 4 month appt my ped wanted him to eat more. So I am going through my stash. I would say I went through 75 oz so far and I went back Jan 8. I will certainly make it to my initial goal of 6 months with baby consuming breastmilk. When my stash is done, then I'll supplement.</p> <p>He drinks 30oz a day and I only make about 26 - 28oz. So I won't have to supplement that much.But my stash has been very helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805801 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:39:44 +0000 LBee 2805801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: It adds up! My body quickly started thinking that my LO needed more milk in the AM as a result of pumping right after the feed and I can get almost 7-8 ounces after feeding LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805798 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:36:00 +0000 periwinklebee 2805798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: Wow, that's awesome! I've noticed the best output after the first morning feed, but still would take me a long time to get to 100 ounces... </p> <p>@petitenoisette: yeah, I have to be away for the full work week when he's about four months - not thrilled about it but there was no getting out of it - and not sure how I'll get that much of a store by then but hopefully it will work out... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805796 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:33:06 +0000 periwinklebee 2805796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: This is great to hear! Right now I'm keeping up with his needs and hopefully can get the output from the pump to continue to do so. I should experiment I think over the weekend with having DH give him a pumped bottle to replace a feeding so I can compare his needs with pump output. </p> <p>I read that supply often dips as the work week goes on and it's necessary to supplement from the stash later in the week, but wasn't sure how broadly true this was.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805795 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:32:04 +0000 petitenoisette 2805795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had more than this stored but yea you only really need one day’s worth. I think for peace of mind it’s nice to have more but you don’t need an enormous stash. My stash came more in handy for leaving baby for a longer period of time (weekend, overnight) than for work days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805794 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:31:51 +0000 LBee 2805794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You definitely don't need anything, but me personally I would probably want around 100 ounces. The first few weeks of pumping during the day takes some adjusting and I just wouldn't want to feel frazzled regarding what if I don't make enough to cover all the bottles he needs. I pumped after the first morning feed always and easily had 250 ounces when I returned to work. I have yet to touch any of it (and substantially added to my stash), but it was nice to know it was there as a back up.</p> <p>ETA: I also think that caregivers tend to go through a lot of milk in the beginning until you flush out your expectations. As a result, you might in the beginning need to provide some extra milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805791 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:27:40 +0000 skinnycow 2805791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think you "need" anything over what he will eat during your first day at work. With good supply you should be able to use Monday's pumped milk for Tuesday, Tuesday's pumped milk for Wednesday, etc. I think I had 30 oz in the freezer when I went back to work and never needed to supplement. I generally pumped more than DD ate until the last couple months when my supply dipped after my period returned </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805786 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:20:35 +0000 periwinklebee 2805786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to go back to work part-time when my son is eight weeks. I've already been pumping, but am using it to top up his feedings when needed (he tends to be a lazy eater) and haven't been able to store anything yet. He's still eating every two hours (and would prefer to eat even more often), so the only option is to pump immediately after a feed. The LC and my postpartum doula encouraged me to start storing, but I'm a bit worried about how much of a stash I'll be able to build up in the next few weeks. Just curious how much stored milk others felt was necessary to make the transition reasonably smooth...I'll have flexibility initially to pump as needed at work. </p>