https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:47:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1206173 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 18:33:38 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1206173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: no matter what you're not a failure! Just do what you can :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1206171 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 18:31:01 +0000 Adira 1206171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I only pump twice at work. I pump once in the morning before work and then at 11:00 and 3:30 at work. From those three pumps, I usually get around 15oz (but my morning pump is AFTER nursing, so you will probably get more if you pump beforehand). Sometimes I have to pump after nursing in the evening as well to get my total.</p> <p>My advice for you, no matter how many times you pump, is to try to always make enough for the next day. So if that means you have to pump 3-4 times when you're at home, do it. Once you start dipping into your freezer stash to make up what you're missing, your supply is likely to drop and keep on dropping. Always pump pump pump if you can! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1206107 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 16:38:37 +0000 Mrs D 1206107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: @mrsjazz: @Corduroy: Thanks a lot for the feedback ladies. I know I am likely pushing it by trying to only pump twice but I am trying to go in with low expectations so I dont disappoint myself. I am not optimistic that I will be able to get 3 pumping sessions in at work without having to extend my work day by 1 hour. I hope I am positively surprised by how convenient it is - but I am doubtful. Fingers crossed I can squeeze in 3 (9am, noon and 3) but if I cant I dont want to have built it up that way and then feel like a failure.</p> <p>@SleepyMonkey: I am hopeful my supply will be ok with only two...I have gone long stretches before and not seen a drop in my supply. Fingers crossed.</p> <p>@JoyfulKiwi: Definitely agree with being flexible. I am trying to approach this the same way I set K's "birth plan" being flexible and having low expectations. That way whatever happens I can hopefully roll with it and not feel too bummed/like a failure.</p> <p>I'm also toying with the idea of two days a week (starting in January) going to daycare and nursing her as it is only 5 mins from my work. I really would love to find a way to make that work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205979 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 13:36:57 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1205979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your plan seems good &amp; that freezer stash impresses me! My only advice is to be flexible. Be ready to change your plans/schedule, since each situation is different. Your body may be fine with only 2 pumps at work, or you might need to pump more. I needed to pump longer sessions on Mon/Tues to get enough, but by Fri I needed less time to get the same #of oz. I felt like something or another was always changing (how much I made, how much he drank, when he drank, etc) &amp; a go with the flow attitude helped me keep from stressing out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205939 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:36:37 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1205939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>great job on pumping so far! you'll have a really nice freezer stash by the time you go back. </p> <p>i will be the voice of dissent and say that 2x at work may be ok. i think you have to wait and see. when i went back, i pumped 2x (i never did 3x because it does take up a lot of time and my schedule won't allow it) and i was always able to pump enough to cover LO's intake while i was away. as long as the pump removed all the milk from my breasts, they continued to produce the same amount for pumps and it didn't matter whether it was 3 hours or 5 hours in between. so i'd just wait and see, don't stress if you can't fit three in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205934 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:26:31 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1205934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: I also would nurse as soon as I got home, and asked my MIL not to give him a bottle within an hour of when I'd be home.</p> <p>I pumped 4x at work in the beginning, and once before I left and once before I went to sleep. I was paranoid about my supply tanking, though. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205927 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:14:13 +0000 Corduroy 1205927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be concerned that you're planning to pump twice during the day but have her eat four times. I would aim for three &amp; three if possible. Maybe you won't need that 4:30 bottle depending on pickup time. Regardless of when my LO eats she demands to nurse when I pick her up. So we do bottles at 9, 12 &amp; 3. I know she would happily take a bottle at 5 but I want her to hold out until pick up. </p> <p>In general I would plan to pump more frequently than you think you need to in the beginning. That sets work expectations and gives you more breathing room in case you don't get the output you want right away. It's easier to drop a pumping session than to add one once you're back to your full work load. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205922 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:10:42 +0000 mrsjazz 1205922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I second what @beaker: said. If you can pump 3x a day in the beginning, I think that would be ideal. When I went back to work I pumped once in the morning &amp; once before bed along with 3x a day (when I could) to help keep my supply up. If you do produce more, you can just freeze it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205912 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 11:46:53 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1205912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would highly recommend pumping three times at work if you can swing it, even if just for the first few weeks, since you're theoretically supposed to pump each time shes eating, even if you're producing more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-looking-for-some-opinionsfeedback-on-my-pumping-plans#post-1205860 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 10:35:04 +0000 Mrs D 1205860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go back to work in 3 weeks when K is 3 mos (for December K will be at our home with relatives 3 days a week, daycare one day and home with me one day), starting Jan 2 she will be in Daycare 5 days a week. Here is her current schedule:</p> <p>5am: I wake up and pump (10 mins, 5oz total)<br /> 6-6:30am: K wakes up and nurses<br /> 6:30-8:30: K goes back down for nap<br /> 8:30; K nurses<br /> 11am: K nurses<br /> 2pm: K nurses<br /> 4:30pm: K nurses<br /> 6:30pm: K nurses (sometimes just a short session or one side to get her to the pre-bedtime session)<br /> 8:30pm: K nurses<br /> 9pm: K down for night</p> <p>Here is what I am hoping I can move our routine to look like over the next 3 weeks.</p> <p>5am: I pump for 20 mins, hopefully getting 6-7oz<br /> 6:30am: K is up and nurses<br /> 9am: K nurses (or gets 4oz bottle)<br /> 30-60 min nap in here<br /> 11am: K nurses (or gets 4oz bottle)<br /> noon - 2pm: K naps<br /> 2pm; K nurses (or gets 4oz bottle)<br /> 4:30pm: K nurses (or gets 4oz bottle)<br /> 7pm: K nurses and starts bedtime routine<br /> 7:30pm: K in bed for night<br /> 10pm: pump...hopefully get 3-4oz</p> <p>When I am back at work I plan to start by trying to pump twice (11am &amp; 3pm) hoping to get 8-10oz. </p> <p>Pumping total: 17-20oz<br /> Bottle feeding total: 16oz</p> <p>I have 2 of everything for pump parts. I currently have about 50-60oz in my freezer - I should be able to double that before going back to work.</p> <p>I'd love feedback from any WOHM with experience. Feel free to offer suggestions or input whereever you see potential issues/improvement?!</p> <p>Thanks! </p>