https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:27:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2449201 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:50:08 +0000 gingerbebe 2449201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would experiment with pumping times of day. A lot of women have the most supply of milk first thing in the morning, so they will pump after that morning feed and freeze the excess. But some moms I know found that their babies had their longest stretch of sleep between the evening and MOTN feed, so they were super engorged at 2-3am. Those moms then started setting alarms to pump at that time even after their baby was sleeping through because it was when they collected the most milk. If baby was waking at 5am then it would be a bottle feed of whatever was pumped at 2am and the excess would be frozen, etc.</p> <p>I would introduce a bottle pretty quickly because sometimes it can take time to find the right one (we went through 4 because DS had reflux). We started with the bottle before bedtime that DH did and then we added the first morning bottle that DH would also handle. I would pump during those feedings until I was completely empty so I would be comfortable at night and first thing in the morning. DS was usually up all night screaming (colic/reflux) so I couldn't really find time to pump MOTN most of the time unless I was painfully engorged.</p> <p>The other thing is that your body will adjust to whatever consistent schedule you give it, so I would try to pump at those times you expect to be able to pump when you return to work. By 12 weeks your supply is usually established so you'll likely be at peak production. After that point you can find your "magic number" of pumps during the day where you can roughly get the same amount of milk even if you have less overall pumps or minutes at the pump. </p> <p>I had low supply so I'm jealous of moms who can pump a bottle in 15 minutes. I could never pump less than 30 minutes in the early days and even after I settled at my magic number, I was still pumping like 24 minutes per session. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2449160 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:29:26 +0000 JenGirl 2449160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's what I did (it worked really well for me)</p> <p>1. Just nursed on demand until 2 weeks.<br /> 2. Starting at 2 weeks I pumped after my first feed of the morning.<br /> 3. Introduced bottle at around 4 weeks. Took 3-4 weeks to really get the hang of it. I pumped while dad gave the bottle.<br /> 4. When he started sleeping longer stretches at night (2 months) I started pumping before I went to bed, for my comfort.<br /> 5. Once I started work I kept my before bed and morning pumps and added three pumps during the working day. If you won't be able to pump that much during work, I'd pump just before work and just after (maybe even on the car ride) and try to get in at least 1 (two would be better) during the day.</p> <p>I wound up with a nice oversupply so I have a great freezer stash and never have to worry about having enough for daycare. In fact, my freezer is getting pretty full so I'm starting to donate to the local milk bank to distribute in the NICU to preemies. </p> <p>Because of the oversupply I only feed on one side per feeding and then the other side at the next feeding. This has worked really well for us. </p> <p>The only thing I would have changed is I would have introduced a pacified earlier (we waited until 3 weeks) because now he won't take it.</p> <p>There can be lots of issues that crop up, but I really thinking starting pumping early (in addition to nursing on demand) has helped me get a good supply and a good freezer stash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2449136 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:15:34 +0000 Chillybear 2449136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What was your pumping routine ages 0-3mo, if also still trying to EBF or BF as much as possible? I pumped for 15 minutes after the first feed in the morning usually got about 3oz<br /> When did you start pumping? I visited an LC around 4 weeks and she taught me how to use my pump and put me on a schedule to build a stash and get baby used to bottle<br /> When did you fit in your pump sessions? I see a lot of posts about morning pumping. When trying to teach baby to use the bottle I would pump in the AM and put those three oz in the fridge when hubs got home he would feed her an evening bottle with the milk from the morning then I would pump and freeze those ounces. If baby was sleeping well i would pump right before bed, if she nursed and didnt have the bottle from hubs<br /> When did you introduce a bottle? 4-5 weeks<br /> How much of a stash is a good size? you will need at least 20-24 oz on your first day of work<br /> Is there anything you would've done differently? For some reason I would only have her nurse on one side at a time (usually she fell asleep before we'd get to the other boob) I think my supply suffered because of that. I also wish i had focused more on building a stash while i was home </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2449089 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 11:59:59 +0000 snowjewelz 2449089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What was your pumping routine ages 0-3mo, if also still trying to EBF or BF as much as possible?<br /> FYI, DD is my first so a lot of this was trial and error! Knowing what I know now I'd prob do things differently next time! </p> <p>When did you start pumping?<br /> Regularly, probably 2+ months. I had pumped randomly here &amp; there if I had doctor's appt, etc. </p> <p>When did you fit in your pump sessions? I see a lot of posts about morning pumping.<br /> I think people do morning pumps b/c that's when you technically have the most milk. A big reason I didn't really pump during maternity leave was b/c I didn't always have help! So I'd pump after morning feeding and night feeding if DH/my mom was around. But now looking back, I really could have just popped her on the rocker and entertain her while I pump... </p> <p>When did you introduce a bottle?<br /> She had taken a bottle here &amp; there. We introduced it for real around 2.5 months to get ready for me to go back to work, and we def had a battle with bottle refusal (even tho she took bottles fine in the beginning). I think there was nothing that I could've done. We went through bottle strike and boob strike.. Persistence and patience are key! </p> <p>How much of a stash is a good size?<br /> Really depends. I wasn't a great producer (again, looking back if I knew I would've started pumping religiously earlier), so I always only had a few week's worth at a time.</p> <p>Is there anything you would've done differently?<br /> Haha, see all my comments above! If I knew I'd have avg/low milk supply, I would've started pumping right away to save up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447748 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 13:37:28 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2447748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my first child I was in almost your exact situation (teacher, back at 14 weeks but only for a few months, not terribly supportive admin)<br /> I started pumping randomly around a month, which is when we introduced a bottle. I pumped in the early evening because I could count on my son being asleep at that time &amp; not wanting to nurse. I EBF, so we did bottles sparingly (for date night, etc). I had barely any stash before work - about 2 days worth (30ish oz?).<br /> For this baby, I plan to start pumping regularly at 4 weeks to build a bigger stash (I also have a large supply &amp; want to take advantage of it). I'm going back to work at 8 weeks this time though. i think I'll do mornings on the weekends &amp; evenings on weekdays (because my husband will be home to be a set of hands). </p> <p>My advice on pumping at work - screw your admins. If breastfeeding is important to you, it's okay to make it a priority. Look up the exact laws in AZ &amp; check your districts policies for any information so you can know your rights. Have a meeting/conversation before you return to work to share what you think the best plan will be and ask for your admin's input. Be flexible. I thought pumping during planning times would be best, but I was missing some meetings &amp; my principal hated that. I told her I was fine going to the meetings if she could find someone to cover my class during a different part of the day. I also got a car adaptor for my pump &amp; pumped on the commute to &amp; from work (and was still able to feed my son right when I got home - boobs are amazing!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447526 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 11:06:45 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2447526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I think pp advice is great! I would definitely suggest the morning pump, that was most productive for me. When I tried pumping at night I would get mere drops! He loved that afternoon/evening cluster feed. Although I know some people have success with a pump after baby goes down for the night. Definitely practice with the bottle every day, starting at around 3-4 weeks. </p> <p>Just do what you can with pumping during work. Get your routine down, and be strong about your rights! I know you can do it! Especially with that wonderful end date in sight :)💞 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447187 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 07:28:35 +0000 hellobeeboston 2447187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: screw them! Ha. But seriously, it's short term, it is the law, it will be fine. When I pump I usually have my computer and I can do some stuff while in there. I've also gotten pretty fast, I can be done in 12 minutes or so, and if you make a lot and have a stash you will be set! I don't make a ton so it's a struggle but I try not to stress! I'm ok with supplementing though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447172 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 07:05:33 +0000 avivoca 2447172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I only pumped twice at work and it was fine. 10:30 and 2:30 every day. My boss didn't love it but it is the law and you have to stand up for yourself if you want it. If you are pumping in your classroom, you can pump and send emails. Pumping also doesn't take a super long time (20-30 minutes for me and I had to add travel time) so you should have time left in your planning periods to make copies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447153 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 05:59:10 +0000 DesertDreams88 2447153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: I'm nervous about pumping at work bc I am a teacher, and so my pump times are not flexible at all: 7:20, 10:20, 12, and then hopefully rush home to see baby by 4. Furthermore, and the main reason is, I usually use those times to do work - run copies, organize classroom materials, check my mailbox, call or email parents etc. Lastly, I have mandatory weekly meetings that I will be missing, plus probably one other missed meeting per week, and my principal is not going to like that even if it is the law.<br /> I'm going to do my best but I'm intimated about the balance and my school admin's probable attitude. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447150 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 05:40:41 +0000 peaches1038 2447150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just went back Monday and it's been an adjustment. DS is 12 weeks old. I started pumping around 8 weeks and we gave him a bottle every other day or so. We use avent natural glass bottles. He's taken them without issue. I only pumped once a day, always after his first feed, which was usually around 3-4 am. I have a stash of maybe 350 oz? This week I still do that early morning pump, since it's my highest yield and then I pump 2x at work. Right now, it's enough to get 2 bottles 4-5 oz bottles for the next day and two to freeze. So I give 4 4-5 oz bottles per day for daycare: 2 fresh and 2 frozen </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447146 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 05:22:23 +0000 hellobeeboston 2447146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why aren't you optimistic about pumping at work?? How many times a day can you pump when you are back?? I do 3x a day with my 4 month old. 4x would be better but I just can't. </p> <p>I would introduce a bottle on the early side. We have had a terrible time getting this LO to take a bottle, I started at 8ish weeks, but not diligently and he refused for a month. The Lanishoh mOmma was the only bottle he would take. My older LO had no problems tho, and we used the Medela bottles, started him around 7/8 weeks too. </p> <p>Pumping in the morning while home was the best time since you make the most milk. So I'd pump 1hr after nursing. I wasn't great this time about a stash but whatever you can do will be great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-routine-0-3-mo-to-prepare-for-going-back-to-work#post-2447120 Wed, 03 Feb 2016 02:57:27 +0000 DesertDreams88 2447120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am 1 week postpartum and have to return to work mon-fri 7-4 at 11 weeks. I think EBF has gotten off to a good start (knock on wood) and so I'm thinking ahead.</p> <p>What was your pumping routine ages 0-3mo, if also still trying to EBF or BF as much as possible?<br /> When did you start pumping?<br /> When did you fit in your pump sessions? I see a lot of posts about morning pumping.<br /> When did you introduce a bottle?<br /> How much of a stash is a good size?<br /> Is there anything you would've done differently?</p> <p>If it matters, I am not optimistic about pumping at work, so I want a big stash. However, I only have to make it thru 7 weeks of pumping at work, ages 11 wks-18 weeks (3-4.5 mo) and then I'll be back at home full time until he's 6 mo. </p>