https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:43:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1619488 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:02:32 +0000 Adira 1619488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I started pumping, I'd basically wait an hour after the feed (so if the feed lasts 30 minutes, I'd wait another 30 minutes) and then I'd only pump for about 10 minutes. I'd get about 0.5-1 oz usually. And then it was still at least another hour to two before Xander would eat again, so I didn't feel like I was taking away from him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1619464 Wed, 07 May 2014 13:58:33 +0000 mrsjyw 1619464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age, DS was doing one long(er) stretch at night. my boobs were so engorged that the first am session, he only nursed on one side so I'd pump the other side. Aside from that, he would always nurse on both sides and I'd pump afterward if I felt like there was more to drain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1619418 Wed, 07 May 2014 13:49:14 +0000 daniellemybelle 1619418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you pumping to stash or increase supply?</p> <p>If it's to stash, you'll get a better yield if you let a little time pass. If you can stomach doing a MOTN pump when you goon get between feedings, that might work better. You will get more per session which means you won't have to pump as often. Though honestly, having a 5 week old is so tough, I wouldn't pump unless you absolutely have to!</p> <p>If you are pumping to increase supply, it's better to do it right after nursing. It's actually good that you aren't getting anything when you pump then because you are telling your body to make more. If trying to increase supply you should always pump until nothing comes out for at least 2 minutes. You could also try power pumping. </p> <p>I pumped to increase supply after every nursing session &amp; I hated it &amp; quit. I will say using a hospital grade pump was a great investment though. They are so much more comfortable &amp; efficient. I get way more with a hospital pump than a personal one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1617241 Tue, 06 May 2014 16:52:07 +0000 Applesandbananas 1617241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: 2oz is awesome! Breastfed babies generally take 1-1.5 oz per hour you're away and some reverse cycle (eat less during the day while you're away and nurse more when you're together) so you may not need a huge stash but I understand wanting one!</p> <p>I'd try that pumping regimen whenever you have an opportunity to squeeze it in. Mornings produced higher yields for me. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1616181 Tue, 06 May 2014 11:55:18 +0000 jill_a55 1616181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: that system makes sense... Would you do that after every nursing session? I'd like to avoid supplementing if possible, but am not against it if necessary. I'm just worried about not having any stash built up and being forced to go to formula more than I'd like to. </p> <p>I was able to pump after feeding him this morning and got almost 2 ounces! Definitely an improvement, so thanks everyone for suggesting that! I may try doing. A MOTN pumping session too and see how that goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1614828 Mon, 05 May 2014 21:09:03 +0000 Applesandbananas 1614828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: hmm... Could you start out nursing on one side (just for conversation purposes, we'll say left) and then if LO seems not quite satisfied by the left, offer the right and then pump both when you're done and then next nursing session offer the right first and then top LO off on the left and pump both again? The more you pump, the more milk your body will think you need and it'll adjust. Worst case scenario, LO might not get totally full from the feeding after a pump session and you have to offer a little pumped milk but you're still increasing the supply (I say all this with the assumption that you're trying to build a freezer stash).</p> <p>I hope that makes sense! I didn't do a good job of pumping on mat leave and found myself having to do this sort of schedule on the weekends to help build a stash after I'd gone back to work. My MOTN pump sessions were the most productive though, i know your circumstances are different. I also supplemented with formula sporadically throughout my breast feeding journey and my supply has held strong for 13 months and counting and LO is thriving so don't be afraid to reach for that lifeline if you need it. I credit formula for saving my breast feeding relationship. I know that's kind of a taboo suggestion and supplementation can be a slippery slope but looking back, I wish I would've worried less and focused more on my LO and less on pumping my brains out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1612085 Sun, 04 May 2014 18:59:29 +0000 jill_a55 1612085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: okay, thank you! I am hoping that will work for me too. I am supposed to go back to work next week, which totally snuck up on me, and I am not prepared at all (in soo many ways)!!! </p> <p>Uuuugh I just want to stay home with my baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1612068 Sun, 04 May 2014 18:45:02 +0000 lawbee11 1612068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: my milk supply was best in the morning so she'd be satisfied nursing on one side then I'd pump the other. I did this for months (pumping only one side once a day) and built up a huge stash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1612037 Sun, 04 May 2014 18:07:11 +0000 jill_a55 1612037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@abbydabbydoodlebug: yeah I could do that. </p> <p>@Dandelion: I know one side produces a lot more, so I could put him on that side and pump from the other</p> <p>@Honeygold89: thanks! </p> <p>@Pirouette: @Mrs. Champagne: yeah, I think I may at least be able to get a few minutes while he's awake... He usually will just sit on the bed with me for a bit. Will try that tomorrow!</p> <p>@MamaBehr: @Applesandbananas: my issue is that I have to wake him up to feed every 2-3 hours around the clock, so I don't have any long stretches at night to pump while he's sleeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611996 Sun, 04 May 2014 17:32:50 +0000 Applesandbananas 1611996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to pump in the middle of the night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611970 Sun, 04 May 2014 17:14:34 +0000 MamaBehr 1611970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump during the middle of the night. DS#2 gets up to feed at least once during the night and doesn't eat from both sides, so I pump the other side. I also use to pump right when I woke up in the morning (also the other side that he wasn't eating from). I've been able to accumulate well over 500 ounces in 4 months by doing that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611946 Sun, 04 May 2014 16:48:47 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 1611946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump after his first feed in the morning (like pretty much immediately after and he is awake and watches me, lol). I was getting like 1-2 ounces total and now (he is 7 weeks) I get 4-6 total. I pump for 10 mins. I only pump once a day unless I miss a feeding and DH gives him a bottle. I think if you always do it at the same time(ish) it will build up your supply.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611921 Sun, 04 May 2014 16:35:17 +0000 Pirouette 1611921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: yea, I just tried to squeeze it at some point! I'd just put her down and hope she gave me at least 15 min peace! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611911 Sun, 04 May 2014 16:26:59 +0000 Honeygold89 1611911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump right after he feeds in the morning and mid day and even if I get half an ounces I just go with it like others say every little bit counts good luck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611860 Sun, 04 May 2014 15:22:40 +0000 Dandelion 1611860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: yes...but I have an over supply. But babies can get more milk out after you pump. So you can pump one side while nursing and still switch him. As long as you're hearing him swallow he's getting it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611859 Sun, 04 May 2014 15:22:18 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 1611859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: could you try pumping as soon as he goes down for the first nap? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611856 Sun, 04 May 2014 15:19:38 +0000 jill_a55 1611856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: do you only feed him from one side then? I could try that..</p> <p>@Pirouette: the problem I've been having with that is the time after his first morning feeding is when he's wide awake, so it's been harder to pump during that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611851 Sun, 04 May 2014 15:17:12 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 1611851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's really hard to pump and BF full time! </p> <p>What I ended up doing is pumping after my first morning session and I got maybe an ounce. Not much, but every little bit helps. Now that LO is sleeping longer at night, I pump before I go to bed too. At 12 weeks, I only have 3 5oz bags in the freezer. I've used a few but not that many. It's hard! Just keep telling yourself that every little bit counts. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611847 Sun, 04 May 2014 15:10:41 +0000 Pirouette 1611847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd suggest just trying to pump after his first morning session - it's when your supply is highest. You may not get much at first, but if you keep it up consistently it should increase over time! And don't worry, your breasts are constantly making milk for him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611840 Sun, 04 May 2014 15:04:43 +0000 Dandelion 1611840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you pump one side while nursing on the other? That's what I've been doing with m. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-while-breast-feeding-how-do-you-make-time#post-1611833 Sun, 04 May 2014 14:58:16 +0000 jill_a55 1611833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am trying to figure out how in the world to pump between feedings and I just don't know what to do. </p> <p>My LO is 5 weeks old, and is on a very strict 2-3 hour feeding schedule due to a disorder he has. Usually during the day we can go two and a half to three hours between and at night we stay at three hours. How do I pump in between that without feeling like I'm taking it away from him? </p> <p>I just fed him at 12 for about 15 on each side, then tried to pump right after for about 20 minutes and didn't even get half an ounce. </p> <p>Do I have the right idea and my body just needs to get used to it? I really appreciate any help or advice you all have! Feeling kind of desperate and discouraged :bummed: </p>