https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-885495 Wed, 26 Jun 2013 09:53:55 +0000 Bookish 885495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: @Mrs. High Heels: Thanks both of you! Super super helpful! Is it weird that I'm getting kind of excited about nursing/pumping? lol! I like challenges! Remind me about this in 2 weeks when I'm in the trenches ;) .... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-885490 Wed, 26 Jun 2013 09:51:01 +0000 Alivoo01 885490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: Thanks for your input!! I think I will try to pump early on because like you said, I rather have an oversupply issue than deal with trying to increase a regulated supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883764 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 15:47:30 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 883764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: @Alivoo01: I have done it both ways. With my 1st, my LC told me to wait to pump so I didn't start until 4-6 weeks and ended up regretting it because once your supply regulates, it gets harder to get an awesome stash. </p> <p>This time around I pumped right away, and although I did struggle with oversupply (and that comes with it's own set of issues), it made pumping actually enjoyable for me because it was cool seeing how much milk I could pump out in one session. I went back to work in 10 weeks and I had a great stash, over 100 ounces.</p> <p>The oversupply did suck because in the newborn stages, when your LO doesn't have much control yet... it's frustrating when milk squirts into their mouth too aggressively, milk spills/drips everywhere, and you risk having green stools (block feeding helped with that). They sputter and scream and fuss because the milk is too much for them. To combat that, I used some of the tips here - <a href="https://www.llli.org/faq/oversupply.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.llli.org/faq/oversupply.html</a> - and I also started pumping BEFORE some sessions (only for 5 min) to relieve the engorgement and make the milk more manageable for my LO. I figured it's not helping my oversupply issue, but it certainly is helping my stash... so I didn't mind!</p> <p>After 3 months, I have a huge stash (300+ ounces), my supply regulated, and our nursing relationship is going well. I dreaded nursing that first month though.</p> <p>I'll take oversupply over not having a stash any day. Plus, seeing a great output actually made me look forward to pumping. It made that time spent worthwhile! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883705 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 15:37:57 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 883705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: I started right away after my milk came in. Since you're nursing so much in the beginning, I tried to just squeeze in one pump session a day. I usually pumped right after the morning nursing session because mornings is when you tend to have the most milk. </p> <p>I pumped once a day for weeks, and as the feedings spaced out I would do 2-3 pumps, always after a nursing session. I ended up with oversupply, so trying to get enough milk was never really a problem for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883682 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 15:33:57 +0000 cmomma17 883682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: Great question! I was so worried and curious about all of this myself and read every thread and article about pumping I could. It's the issue that caused me to sign up for hellobee!<br /> My son was born on April 18th and I already had a medela double electric pump at home. My maternity leave was ten weeks, and I started it a little early.<br /> I started pumping for the first time on May 17th when LO was about a month old. My main goal was to learn to use my pump and to see if LO would take a bottle. I started out only pumping for ten minutes and built that time up over time. I now pump 20 minutes each session. LO took his first bottle like a champ! It was only one ounce but I was so proud of him I could have cried! :) I only had the small medela bottles with a slow flow nipple that came with my pump. We also gave a pacifier fairly early on (maybe 2 weeks? maybe less?) and never experienced any nipple confusion. However he will ONLY take that one kind of pacifier!<br /> I continued to pump just one time a day, and letting DH or a grandparent if they were over feed the baby. Then we had some BF'ing issues and that difficulty combined with pumping made me feel very burnt out! So for my mental health I took a two day "pump vacation" - this was great and I'm glad I started pumping far enough in advance that I could do that. We met with an LC to figure out our problem and then I was refreshed and motivated!<br /> So I started pumping specifically to build a freezer stash on June 5th (LO approx. 8 weeks old). I also started pumping twice a day at that point. Once after his first nursing session in the morning, and then I aimed for again after the second nursing session of the day (but life happens and sometimes my second pumping didn't happen til much later in the day). The earlier in the day I pumped, the better output I got. Some days if I had the time and the energy I pumped three times. I set goals for how much I wanted in my stash and was super motivated. When I reached a goal I set a new one. I was a little obsessive. :) Some days I let myself take a break and do other things, since spending your entire maternity leave attached to a pump is no fun!<br /> I ended up with 68.5 oz of frozen milk before I returned to milk this week! It reduced my stress level (slightly) about returning to work. I want to EBF for one year. There were a handful of times I did not freeze the milk I pumped, like when we went to a movie, or if we were going to be out and I didn't want to nurse in public (although I did mostly nurse in public because I was so protective of my freezer stash!).<br /> Start out by pumping in the morning, that is the best time for milk. Also, practice (a few days before you return to work) completely setting up and breaking down your pumping supplies. I practiced pumping at home, but I left everything out in the open on our dining table, pump plugged in, etc. I'm a little flustered/rushed here at work now because I have to quickly completely unpack my pump bag, set everything up, pump, re pack it, etc. I also wish I had practiced a few more times with my hands free pumping bra. I struggle a little to put it on.<br /> Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!<br /> Also, for what it's worth, my LC in the hospital said it's fine to start pumping, bottle feeding or offering pacifiers if BFing is established. I don't think any of those recommendations are set in stone. You'll know what feels right for you and your LO.<br /> *Excuse me if any of my math is off (tired mommy brain). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883428 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:33:19 +0000 dagret 883428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: NTM then you don't have to worry as much about overindulging! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883384 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:24:31 +0000 Bookish 883384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: Yeah, we have a local wine festival we want to go to when lo will be around 4 weeks, and we have to be able to leave her for a few hours! I'm hoping I can start pumping earlier so we can do things like that without worrying about getting back to feed her asap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883370 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:22:15 +0000 dagret 883370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>well...i think it's easier to pump earlier and deal with an oversupply than to deal with trying to build up a supply and freezer stash, but that's just me. </p> <p>I started pumping around 3 weeks b/c DH and I went to see Mumford and Sons when L was about 4 weeks old. We needed him to take a bottle so we could leave him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883334 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:14:47 +0000 Bookish 883334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cupcake: Nice! I hope I can do the same!<br /> @autumnlove: Haha! better too much than not enough!<br /> @Rescuemom10: I feel like having a pumping goal would help me a lot. I tend to do better if I can focus on a tangible end result! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883310 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:10:17 +0000 Rescuemom10 883310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started right away and while on mat leave I just winged it and would pump when I could. LO is now 5 mos old and I have a crazy freezer stash. I cannot say I like pumping but I always feel like getting a certain amount each day is a "goal" I want to meet and even try to pump more than the day before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883111 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:33:15 +0000 Adira 883111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: @Alivoo01: I definitely enjoyed seeing how much I could pump, and I LOVED building a freezer stash. But after a while, I got sick of pumping after every feeding, and Xander seemed to ALWAYS get fussy when he heard the pump going, so it was kind of hard to keep it up at times.</p> <p>Now I like pumping at work! It's such a nice break during the day! I get to go pump in a quiet room and read a book for 30 minutes - so relaxing! But I HATE if I didn't pump enough during the day and have to pump in the evening instead of spend quality time with Xander (or instead of going to bed). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-883065 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:27:53 +0000 Alivoo01 883065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: LOL!!! That's a first! I always hear people say they HATE pumping so this is a nice change in attitude! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882848 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:48:15 +0000 autumnlove 882848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right away. I probably have too much milk in the freezer but I'm addicted to pumping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882809 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:39:48 +0000 Cupcake 882809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping immediately once my milk came in, so I could leave the house. I started my freezer stash around 4 weeks. LO is 8 weeks, and I have around 50oz. I go back to work this Monday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882755 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:31:00 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 882755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Right - I didn't clarify, but that's what I would do, too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882489 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:33:40 +0000 Bookish 882489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: @Anagram: @Adira: I think y'all have the right idea... if I've got super full boobs, then meh, can probably wait, or vice versa. I hear y'all on not being able to plan though lol! Drives me bananas!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882386 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:05:14 +0000 Smurfette 882386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: I pump directly into the same bottles all 3 times at work.</p> <p>I started pumping at two weeks when I got my pump. But I never did it regularly since R needed to be held during naps, so it was hard for me to find time. I did build up some stash, no clue how much. Now I pump three times at work since she gets 3 bottles at DC </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882271 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 10:36:38 +0000 Adira 882271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: @Anagram: @Bookworm: You could always plan to just wait until 3-4 weeks to start pumping, but if your supply seems low, start pumping earlier. I started around 4 weeks and by the time I returned to work at 12 weeks, I had about 70 oz in freezer stash. I could have had a lot more, but I took breaks from pumping, so I didn't do it consistently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882176 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:54:00 +0000 Anagram 882176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: @Bookworm: My sister keeps telling me to chill out and wait and see how my supply is first and then make a decision. Like, if I have a low supply, maybe start pumping earlier and if I have a great supply or over-supply don't pump until later. But the "not knowing, not planning" is hard! I want to have a game plan. And I don't want to "make a mistake" and then wish I'd done it some other way, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882164 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:51:05 +0000 Alivoo01 882164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I'm all for less hassle/less cleaning!!</p> <p>@Anagram: @Bookworm: Same here!! The LC at my breastfeeding class said to wait 4 weeks, but a lot of bees started pumping from the get go. I'm also super confused! Sigh and ugh/arg. I want to be able to build a good stash before I return to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882103 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:37:22 +0000 Bookish 882103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: That's whats been throwing me off too! The websites I'm on recommend waiting...but then on here I see a lot of Bees starting earlier and it works just fine! I'll have to ask the LC at the hospital and see how it goes.. I'll definitely update! </p> <p>@Adira: Good information, thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882082 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:33:18 +0000 Anagram 882082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: I kep reading conflicting advice on hellobee vs. what the LC said in the breastfeeding class I just took. I'll also be going back to work and pumping (although not as quickly as you) and I'd read a few threads here on HB where people started pumping really quickly after birth to build up a stash.</p> <p>But then the lactation consultant said that encourages your body to over supply and that I should wait till after 4-6 weeks to start building up a supply. And I didn't want to argue with her, but in my mind I'm thinking--but then your supply is already regulated and you won't get much of a stash, right? But she said when I did start to pump, after a few days my body would respond and start producing more. (but then why can't I just start pumping earlier, have an "over supply" and have bigger stash then?).</p> <p>Short story...I'm confused. So you'll have to come back later and tell me what worked for you since I'm due just a little after you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882077 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:31:15 +0000 Adira 882077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: It's my understanding that it's okay to pump directly into a bottle of refrigerated milk as long as it's within 24 hours or so. That's what @Mrs. High Heels does!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/05/20/pumping-at-work/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/05/20/pumping-at-work/</a></p> <p>And I've been doing it for a few weeks now and haven't had any problems. But if you're concerned, you can definitely pump into separate bottles and then combine once they are both cooled. I started pumping into the same bottle because it was a hassle to have multiple bottles while pumping at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882062 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:24:30 +0000 mrsjazz 882062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually started pumping 6 days after LO was born because we had a problem getting her to latch and I was super engorged, so I pumped breastmilk for her to drink in bottles. Once she got the hang of breastfeeding, I would pump or hand express after her morning feed because it's when I had the most milk. I did that for my full 12 weeks off and built up quite a good freezer supply before I went back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882058 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:23:28 +0000 Alivoo01 882058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: So pumping into the same bottle from the same day is okay or is pumping into separate bottles and combining the two once cooled better? Thanks for sharing all the advice btw! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882047 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:20:01 +0000 edelweiss 882047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i started pumping on day 6 to establish my supply and get my milk flowing (my milk was coming in but LO was a very sleepy nurser so it wasn't creating the demand). i was a dedicated pumper for about a month, which created an oversupply and i had to back off--but the upside was that i have a very comfortable freezer stash. it wasn't easy though--the first few weeks i pumped after every single nursing session. that wasn't fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882039 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:17:57 +0000 Adira 882039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: @BabyBoecksMom: I originally didn't pump into the same bottle (although I do now). I would store what I pumped in the fridge, then pump into a new bottle and put that one in the fridge. And then at some point, I would combine them. Now I just pump into the same bottle (if it's the same day). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-882017 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:12:54 +0000 Alivoo01 882017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: @BabyBoecksMom: Sorry to thread jack, but if you pump less than 3oz, what did you do with the milk?? Did you store the bottle in the fridge and continued pumping into that same bottle at the next session until you got enough? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-881951 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:54:51 +0000 meganmp 881951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started in the hospital- half an hour of pumping after nursing. It sucked, but it helped establish a hell of a supply. I haven't had to introduce formula, and my twins are 7 months old, plus I've got 150ish ounces in my freezer. I didn't pump at night, and I would only pump when I could after DH went back to work, but I started early and did it as often as I could stand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/howwhen-did-you-start-pumping-in-preparation-for-going-back-to-work#post-881931 Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:49:34 +0000 Bookish 881931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Ooh very helpful, thank you! I've got a good variety of bottles that I've bought in preparation, so hopefully she finds she likes at least one of them! I'll definitely look into the EASY schedule. I also like the idea of doing a trial run! </p> <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I've heard the supply is best at night/morning, so I'll have to keep that in mind. The daycare also suggested having a backup of formula for the first week or two just in case... so I'll probably test out giving her formula once or twice before I go back just to make sure she doesn't have a reaction! </p>