https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 04:02:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2509700 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:20:37 +0000 avivoca 2509700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Oh, I also wanted to say that H never ate from both sides until she was older and my supply was established (probably around 9 months). So to build my supply, I would pump one side while I nursed the other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2509680 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:57:05 +0000 mfa_lady 2509680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: Yes to avocado! I tried this after you posted it when I was pumping last year, and it totally works. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2509662 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:41:29 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2509662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: oh yes, pumping and driving is really tricky! I'm so short that the bottles would always hit the steering wheel. :silly: We have no bedtime either yet &amp; C is 11 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508728 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:37:14 +0000 petitenoisette 2508728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you will be totally fine. I'm a teacher too and my schedule rotates which means it's basically impossible for me to have a set pumping schedule. When I first went back to work I would sometimes have to pump before leaving for work (around 5:30) and then wouldn't be free again to pump until lunchtime (11:30 or 12). Yea, I'd get totally engorged and I wore nursing pads for a long time but then I'd also pump 10 ounces or so that session. </p> <p>Just the fact that you have a set schedule will help a lot - your body will adjust. And it will be awesome to know you only have 7 weeks til summer break! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508709 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:24:33 +0000 DesertDreams88 2508709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: thanks for the tip, and remembering my texture issues! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508708 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:24:05 +0000 DesertDreams88 2508708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: is it odd that my baby almost never nreds both sides? for the 1st month, I fed from both sides, and after some green mucusy poops I switched to mainly 1 sided feedings out of concern for foremilk/hindmilk. Feeding length has stayed the same, 30 minutes. He always seems satisfied. Good idea though, I will try it if I get uncomfy.</p> <p>@JoyfulKiwi: I hate to say it this way but I'm a horrible driver and so pumping while driving is just too scary. Kufos to all the women who can manage it! I've tried to be on my best driving behavior since my accident in October. And we do a lot of cluster feeding in the evenings too, trying to still figure out a bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508349 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:25:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2508349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Also, its great that your 4 hour stretch is in the afternoon versus morning. Typically you'll have a better supply in the mornings so you definitely want to pump more often then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508347 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:24:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2508347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Obviously that last stretch is going to be your challenge. Is there anyway you could maybe consider pumping one side at 3:30 and feeding the other side at 4? You may find there is a bit of an oversupply there by 4 pm (aka baby may not need both sides). You could alternate days to pump/feed each side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508340 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:22:01 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2508340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: I'm not sure which state you're in, but you may have state laws allowing you to pump more often. The federal law doesn't apply to salaried employees (although there is a bill right now they're trying to pass!), but some states have it as a law that employers must provide time: <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx#State" rel="nofollow">http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx#State</a></p> <p>@DesertDreams88: I would try pumping on the way home from work in the car if you find you need more milk. Baby will still be able to get some milk out when you feed at 4 and if he's still hungry you can nurse again at 5. I cluster-feed in the evenings for my girl from 5-8pm because she's not fond of bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508021 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 09:51:36 +0000 edelweiss 2508021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think you'll be just fine. it's so stressful thinking about this stuff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2508013 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 09:43:39 +0000 Adira 2508013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it'll be okay. I used to do 4 and 5 hours with my first between pumping/nursing, and it worked out fine. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507959 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 09:00:49 +0000 avivoca 2507959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your body will adjust. I know you have a thing about textures, but if there is any way you can get some avocado into you, that is one food that really helped my pumping output when I was struggling. I ate it so much that I can barely look at it now, but it helped a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507958 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 09:00:33 +0000 mfa_lady 2507958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually think this will be great! When I started back to work at 10 weeks, I had to go longer stretches because I could only pump twice at work (9-5). Like other posters mentioned, the four hour stretch might be tough at first, but you'll adjust! Don't be freaked out if you pump strange amounts for a while due to the difference in intervals, either--you're going to do great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507953 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 08:56:57 +0000 lovehoneybee 2507953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your body will adjust to it. It's not too dissimilar to my schedule...I feed at 5:30, pump at work at 7:45 and 10, nurse at home at 12:45, pump at 3, and nurse at home around 6:30/7. The last stretch is the hardest, and sometimes my mom gives her an ounce or two of formula to hold her over until I can nurse. </p> <p>I would definitely make sure you wear nursing pads until your body adjusts, though. And some warning, my pumping output dropped some once I went back to work (but I also got an IUD and started Zoloft at the same time, and I'm not sure what impact all that at once had on my supply). I can usually only get 9-10 ounces over 3 pumping sessions, and I'm taking fenugreek, brewer's yeast, Mother's milk tea and eating oatmeal with ground flax seed for breakfast every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507949 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 08:54:53 +0000 travellingbee 2507949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I'm worried about this too. I'm going to have to do:<br /> 5am feed<br /> 6am pump<br /> 7am feed<br /> 11am pump<br /> 3:15 pump<br /> 4:45 feed</p> <p>Huge spaces in between but I have no options as I'm a teacher too. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507940 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 08:47:51 +0000 snowjewelz 2507940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mean it's not the most ideal, but I agree that your body will adapt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507331 Sat, 26 Mar 2016 21:56:58 +0000 DesertDreams88 2507331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: @MamaCate: Good point about the 4 hour stretch! I edited my original post to reflect that he normally feeds every 3 hours or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507325 Sat, 26 Mar 2016 21:35:41 +0000 MamaCate 2507325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you will be fine. I do a 4 hour stretch daily between pumps and it works out. That said, LO sort of had me on that schedule because that was when he usually ate. Are these times somewhat close to when your LO tends to eat? Or is he not that predictable?</p> <p>In general I have found that I have about an hour cushion if I need it--I usually pump at 10 and 2 but will go early/later if I have to. You will be fine! Pumping seems really intimidating beforehand but you will get into a routine and it will be fine. Plus your freezer stash will be awesome for peace of mind when some days are better than others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507321 Sat, 26 Mar 2016 21:22:51 +0000 ShootingStar 2507321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your body will get used to it, but four hours might be tough at first if you're not used to going that long. I'd be prepared for engorgement and leaking, unless you can get your body on that schedule ahead of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507303 Sat, 26 Mar 2016 20:31:10 +0000 catomd00 2507303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It might not work great at first, but your body will adapt I'm sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-schedule-will-this-work-you-think#post-2507299 Sat, 26 Mar 2016 20:23:11 +0000 DesertDreams88 2507299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a teacher, so I pretty much have almost no flexibility in choosing these times. So... hopefully everyone will tell me yes, this will work :) Currently at home I pump for about 10-15min and get about 4-7oz. I imagine at work I'll have to stretch it to 15-20min to get the same amount/maintain supply.</p> <p>5:00 Feed<br /> 7:20 Pump<br /> 10:20 Pump<br /> 12:10 Pump (as much as I can, bc then I have a 4 hr stretch)<br /> 4:00 Feed</p> <p>I'm hoping to get about 12-16 oz total for the day from the 3 sessions. This will be for 7wks (35 days). I have 76oz frozen right now, which is about 19 extra full servings or 38 snack servings. I have 2 more weeks until I go back to work and usually get to freeze 2-4 oz per day, as well as have enough for a 4oz daily bottle.</p> <p>ETA: Feedings during the day are almost always 3 hours apart. I *could* pump at 3:30 but that might delay me getting home, and detract from the 4pm feed. </p>