https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 15 May 2026 08:34:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-549458 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:14:06 +0000 ellybecks 549458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: You're right, it does depend on our individual supply. Just to update you, I only pumped twice today instead of 3 times, and was only able to get 11 oz total (usually I get 13.5 oz). So, I'll be pumping tonight so I don't have to dip into my freezer supply. Wish I could pump more, but I'm already taking fenugreek and drinking tons of water! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548857 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:56:40 +0000 Bluebonnet 548857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: We introduced all new foods at home too. The easiest way for me to introduce things was to feed LO dinner the second we got home from daycare. That way I could see if there were any issues and I could tell how much she liked (or did not like something)! Of course some days she was fussy or I got home later than planned, so she didn't get dinner every night, but most nights the plan worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548854 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:56:09 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 548854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could try dropping one, but increasing the time on the other two. Total minutes are more important than number of pumps. </p> <p>I think it also depends on your "max" capacity. </p> <p>Also, your capacity probably won't immediately drop. You could probably go back to the 3 if it doesn't look like it's working. (But there is always a risk.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548685 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:47:55 +0000 pregnantbee 548685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ellybecks: Based on everyone's responses here, I think the ability to pump 2x probably really depends on our overall supply. It took a couple weeks back at work to truly know how many oz/day LO needed at daycare, and I was so sad when I could only pump 4 oz. for every 6 oz bottle he is eating. And I find the more I worry about how much milk I would get in a session, the less I'd get. I still worry all the time that I won't have enough for the next day, but my little freezer stash helps. I still strive to keep up each day just in time for the next day so that the freezer stash remains after I start weaning a bit.</p> <p>Especially at 4.5 mo, if I were you and since you're only just back at work, I'd keep up with 3x a day, even though you may be the only one doing it. Or do 3x a day until you have more of a freezer stash/fridge stash so you have more wiggle room.</p> <p>I'm still nervous to try dropping to 2x at work, even though I do have a small stash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548667 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:42:03 +0000 ellybecks 548667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: I was just about to post the same thing! Although, DD is only 4.5 months, and I have only been back at work for a week. We have an online reservation system for our mothers' rooms, and I noticed that I was the only one pumping 3x per day (at 10, 1, and 4 just like you). DD is currently taking 3 4.5-ounce bottles while I'm away, and nursing twice in the morning (4am and 7am) and once at night. So, I need to pump 13.5 ounces per day, and I was getting exactly that amount with 3 pump sessions during the workday.</p> <p>I have a little extra in the fridge right now, so decided today to try only 2 pump sessions. I just pumped at 11:00 instead of 10, and was able to get 7 ounces (usually I get 6 at the first pump, then 4, then 3.5). I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get the 6.5 ounces I need at my 2nd pump, but I can pump tonight before I go to bed to make up for it. </p> <p>I was hoping that 2 sessions during the day would be enough without having to add a night pumping, but I don't think that will work. Since you are already pumping at night, I don't know that you'd be able to make it work either :(</p> <p>Let me know if you have any success with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548627 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:26:27 +0000 pregnantbee 548627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MungBean: Aww, thanks! Been back at work since mid-Oct., so I guess I'm going on almost 4 months of this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548620 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:24:18 +0000 pinkcupcake 548620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: Not selfish at all!! Pumping at work is so hard. I did it for the 2 months I worked, and it was really difficult. I commend you for making it this far! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548616 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:22:35 +0000 pregnantbee 548616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: Thanks for the great suggestions and for empathizing. It's definitely tough. I keep reminding myself that it's really just for a short time in the grand scheme of things, and I'm so happy and proud that he's never had even one drop of formula in 7.5 months. I usually mix apples in with the oatmeal -- have to start introducing more foods. I'm being a little selfish in that every time he tries a new food, I want it to be at home with us and not at daycare. So introductions usually only happen on weekends. So, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548604 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:19:28 +0000 pregnantbee 548604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: We've really just started offering more solids. I wanted to do BLW, but decided that w/ daycare, it's easier to do purées for now. Also, now I know that he's actually eating extra calories. We're only doing 1 "meal" a day at daycare, so the milk consumption really hasn't dropped off yet. I joke that he drinks a Big Gulp every day bet. daycare and nursing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548603 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:19:10 +0000 Bluebonnet 548603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: Hmm. A couple of thoughts:<br /> - You could drop a daytime pumping session for a week and see what happens.<br /> - You could make oatmeal with water instead of milk and save a couple of ounces of milk a day. Maybe mix fruit with oatmeal (pumpkin, apples, blueberries, peaches, etc), to add more vitamins and flavor.<br /> - Keep increasing the amount of solids you offer - at some point LO will drink less milk making it easier for you to drop a pumping session.</p> <p>Maybe you just need to keep doing what you are doing for now. Being a WOHM and EBF is hard work. I'm doing it too and its exhausting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548591 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:15:30 +0000 KayKay 548591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee when LO was still eating 18-20oz a day, i pumped 3x during the day. i think it was around 7 or 8 months that she started getting more solids and decreased her milk a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548589 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:15:07 +0000 pregnantbee 548589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: @MungBean: Thanks for sharing. I'm definitely afraid of my supply dipping. I'm thinking that maybe I'll hold off for a bit. Selfishly, I miss "free" lunchtimes with coworkers or the ability to run errands and actually have an entire hour to myself. Was hoping that I'd be able to pump twice and get the same amount. Scared to try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548576 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:12:55 +0000 pinkcupcake 548576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not in your exact situation, but everything I've read would indicate that would lead to a decrease in supply :( </p> <p>I had coworkers who, towards the end of the 1 year mark, dropped a pumping session and either substituted formula or dipped into their freezer stash... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548575 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:12:35 +0000 KayKay 548575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 9 months and still getting 3 bottles/day, although down from 18oz total to 15oz total. </p> <p>I've switched to pumping at 10:30 and 2:30 at work, and sometimes do a quick pump before work if I'm feeling especially full that day (LO eats off one side per feeding). I usually end up with enough: 9oz combined in the morning and 5-6oz in the afternoon. If I'm an oz or less short, I just send the smaller amount the next day, but it doesn't happen consistently.</p> <p>Every once in awhile I end up short 2-3 oz, but I have a small freezer stash to pull from. And sometimes will even get a little extra to add to the stash (especially if LO sleeps through the night and isn't as hungry when I nurse in the AM). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548546 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:03:00 +0000 pregnantbee 548546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: @Bluebonnet: LO takes 6 oz per bottle, and now we're mixing a little more milk with oatmeal for him. So he needs about 19-20 oz while I'm at work if his naps are too short or if I don't breastfeed pretty close to when he leaves for daycare. During work hours, I pump anywhere from about 12 oz on a low day to 16 oz on a great day. Then I pump at 9p and get bet 3-4 oz. There may be about 2-4 oz left from daycare. And I have a small freezer stash and can dip into that if I really can't produce enough in a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548528 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:55:21 +0000 Bluebonnet 548528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many ounces is LO taking per bottle? </p> <p>My LO is 9.5 months and she is eating so many solids she isn't drinking as much milk. We actually reduced the amount of milk we send in her bottles.</p> <p>LO gets 2 bottles at daycare and I pump twice at work and once before I go to bed. Those three pumping sessions add up to 2 bottles plus a little extra. </p> <p>It sounds like you are pumping 4 times a day. Are you producing just enough to cover the next day's bottles? Or are you covering bottles and building a freezer stash? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548524 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:54:56 +0000 mrsjazz 548524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: How much does your LO drink?</p> <p>My LO takes 15 oz. during the work day at 9 months (and has been drinking that amount for about 3 months). I was able to cut back from 3 to 2 pumps a day at work. At first there was a dip in my supply and I would either make up for it with my pump before bed or use some of my frozen stash to come up with the full amount. I made sure to drink enough water, took some More Milk Plus, and I eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast and I now pump about 8-10 oz. during the first session (between 11:30/12:30) and 5 oz. during my later session (3:30/4). I keep my before bed pump and I've been able to have a little more to add to other bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548518 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:53:33 +0000 pregnantbee 548518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: Noooo :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548517 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:53:23 +0000 pregnantbee 548517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Yup, not what I want to hear. But the reason I'm asking is pretty much b/c I want to make sure I don't have unrealistic expectations. (And congrats on your Ravens :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548515 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:53:04 +0000 littlek 548515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I switched to 2 pumps a day and my supply dropped. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548498 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:46:41 +0000 mediagirl 548498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably not what you want to hear but, when I pump just twice a day instead of 3x, I do not get 3 pumps worth of milk. I still just get the normal amount I would get in 2 pumps, maybe a little more. I wish it worked differently. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-at-work-2#post-548490 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:43:41 +0000 pregnantbee 548490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone. Hoping you can help. I'm a WOHM, and my LO is 7.5 months old and has 3 expressed bottles a day at daycare. He's also been eating some purées. I'm getting exhausted by all the worktime pumping (3x/day), and I'm wondering if anyone has cut back to 2 pumps a day (spaced further apart) and has been able to pump the same amount? Last thing I want is for my supply to dip.</p> <p>Details: Currently, I pump 3 times during a workday (and breastfeed once before work and once or twice in the evening). 10a, 1p, 4p. (I also pump once at 9p.) I'm planning to keep up with pumping/breastfeeding until at least a year.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>