https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:13:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973379 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:35:13 +0000 JoJoGirl 973379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: IN THE CAR? That's so brilliant. </p> <p>I'm trying to not put pressure on myself to make this work - I can still be an awesome mom to her even if she is formula-fed! :) It's so hard to work full-time and continue BFing, I honestly don't know how anyone does it. </p> <p>I just ordered an extra set of parts on Amazon yesterday.. whatever I can do to make this easier will be worth it.</p> <p>BTW we still need to make plans! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973365 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:30:46 +0000 rachiecakes 973365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Honestly - the pumping/breastfeeding part of parenthood was the biggest challenge for me - it was so hard and so stressful and for a while I felt like I was failing at both; I was pumping three times and I'd just get going with a client/project and have to be interrupted to go pump and then there were days I wasn't pumping enough and felt like a terrible excuse for a mother because of it.<br /> If I could do it again, I'd tell myself to relax and you can only do so much. Sometimes the best pumps for me were in the car. (I work less than a mile from my house but traffic lights and a nursing covered worked out okay, lol). I bought multiple parts so that I didn't have to worry about cleaning them out each time. I got it in whenever I could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973202 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:50:57 +0000 Adira 973202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I would maybe try both! If you're leaning towards just pumping twice at work, try that for a couple weeks (or even a week) and if you feel like your supply is taking a hit or you can't provide enough for your baby for daycare, switch and try doing it more often and see what works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973183 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:45:49 +0000 JoJoGirl 973183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dojo: It's really variable! A few times I've pumped like 7 oz, but it's usually closer to 4-5. </p> <p>@mrskc: Awesome, thanks. That's probably doable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973168 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:39:20 +0000 DillonLion 973168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Ah yeah, that's tough. I'm sure there are plenty that can make it work, but I just couldn't do it...until now that is! Ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973158 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:33:04 +0000 JoJoGirl 973158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: Yep, fair enough. Something's gotta give. I'm sure it will all become obvious once i'm back a work what's the 'right' thing to do. Part of my commitment to the gym thing is my sanity and health, but part of it is that I am literally the poster child for health/fitness/wellness for 1700 employees at my job, so maintaining a gym schedule is really part of my work. If that makes sense. I'm sure everyone will "understand" if I can't manage with a 4 month old at home, but there is an extra element of professional pressure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973121 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:23:22 +0000 DillonLion 973121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Yes, the more frequent the milk removal, the better for your supply.</p> <p>For me, there just wasn't a way to fit in going to the gym and pumping/nursing around the clock with working full time. My priority was keeping my milk supply over getting my workouts in. My LO is older now and we are in the process of weaning. It is only now (when I'm only expressing milk 4x a day total) that I am able to fit regular exercise back on the schedule. Before this I stuck to walks with the baby and weekend exercise. Just something to think about. I really wanted to exercise during the work week, but there was just no way it was happening in the early days. </p> <p>Going back to work with an infant is so hard, so I didn't feel guilty about cutting myself some slack in that department. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973101 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:17:35 +0000 mrskc 973101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: in that case, I would totally pump during those 30 minutes you have. You could pump when you first get to work, pump mid morning during one of those 30 min note times, pump at lunch if needed and pump one more time during an afternoon 30 minute window. And definitely a mini fridge in your office would save you a lot of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973097 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:16:24 +0000 dojo 973097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump just twice at work (two 30 minute breaks at 9:30 and 1:30) and usually once and night. Do you know what your output is like? I relaxed a little once I realized I was able to usually get enough from just pumping a couple times during the day and then once more at night to make an extra bottle for daycare. Sometimes I use some frozen if I am unable to keep a pumping session or if I'm lazy at night and don't want to pump before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973096 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:16:05 +0000 JoJoGirl 973096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Do you think that would be better? To do it more often for shorter periods of time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973083 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:13:38 +0000 Adira 973083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: OH! And if you really could pump during those 30 minutes every hour, you could pump more times, just shorter periods! Like maybe do 10 minutes every 2 hours or something. Would that be doable? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973079 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:12:56 +0000 Adira 973079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Well, I do 5 hours and it's worked out okay for me! That first pump session at work, I usually get more than I do at other times! I think as long as you can pump long enough to empty the boob (and do a little hand expression after, just to be on the safe side), your body will adjust and know you still need all that milk. I haven't noticed a decrease in my supply since I started back at work and have spaced out my pumping, so I would think you'd be okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973068 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:09:39 +0000 JoJoGirl 973068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Yep I could totally do that. Pump at 7:30, lunch, then nurse. I'd just worry about the 5 hrs between 7:30 and 12:30, but she's sleeping longer than that now so maybe it's not a huge deal.</p> <p>@mrskc: Actually yes! I'd just need to hustle.. set up the pump, pump while i take notes, detach, be ready for the next person. But that could work, especially if I get a mini-fridge for my office for the parts and milk so I don't have to run back and forth to the kitchen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973067 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:09:32 +0000 looch 973067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you pump in the car on your commute? No idea if you use public transportation or not. </p> <p>No other advice, just cheering you on from the sidelines, one working mom to another! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973066 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:09:08 +0000 Smurfette 973066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: it hard finding time to pump. I am so worried that my coworkers would say something, but so far they haven't. Sounds like with your schedule, it going to be really hard.<br /> That is a long stretch to go morning to lunch, but it only 5 hours, which I think is still totally doable. When you pick her up, if you don't nurse here, you will have to pump. Then probably another pump after work. How long is your commute? Could you pump while driving? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973065 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:08:41 +0000 Adira 973065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Also, my pump sessions are pretty spaced apart too. 6:00 to 11:00 is 5 hours, and then 11:00 to 3:30 is 4.5. So I think it would be doable if you did 7:30, 12:30, 4:30 or something like that. Or 7:30 and 12:30/1:00 and then nurse as soon as you get home. And then maybe pump in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973060 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:07:09 +0000 mrskc 973060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Would you be opposed to supplementing? You can pump when you can and use formula to fill in what you can't pump. You say you take notes for half and hour. Do you have a private office? Is it possible to pump while you do your notes in between clients? You probably need to fit in 3 pumping sessions a day but that sounds like it's going to be tough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973053 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:06:06 +0000 Adira 973053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Also, I only pump twice at work because of time constraints. But I pump in the morning before I leave, so I get my three pumping sessions in. But maybe you could get away with just 2! If you feed her at 3:00, maybe you could pump again at 8:00 and then 1:00 and then nurse as soon as you get home? Or pump when you get home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973047 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:04:30 +0000 JoJoGirl 973047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I can definitely pump in the morning either before my day starts at 7:30 (ie if I get to my desk at say 7:15.. I don't see my first client til 8am), at lunch, and anytime after 4:30 (although I could nurse then), then probably another session after she goes to bed. I just seems like that's too far apart.. but maybe we'll see how it goes. The longest break would be morning til lunch. </p> <p>And yeah I'd be fine with supplementing, especially if it's that vs. weaning altogether. I have a pretty decent freezer stash now so she should be set with SOME BM for at least a month or two, even if it's mixed with formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973046 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:04:12 +0000 Adira 973046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I get up at 4:30! I forgot to put that in my schedule, but my day actually starts like this:</p> <p>4:30 a.m. - get up and shower<br /> 5:00 - wake up Xander to eat...</p> <p>It's hard, but to me, it's worth it. I especially love my 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. nursing sessions with Xander - he's so snuggly when he's sleepy and I love being able to provide breastmilk for him. But it IS hard and it IS a sacrifice, so it's totally up to you! Maybe you can try it for a few days and if it totally sucks, wean? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973032 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:00:59 +0000 regberadaisy 973032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: No, it's not. You still have to work and I don't know about you but we can't afford for me to lose my job! What about pumping at lunch and at night? Either when you get home and/or before bed (after LO goes to sleep?)<br /> Would you be OK with the possibility of supplementing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973027 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:59:35 +0000 JoJoGirl 973027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oy. Is it bad this is all making me wonder if I should wean?! :-/ I just don't know where I'm going to find the time :( Get up at 4:30? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973010 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:57:03 +0000 SleepyMonkey 973010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only ever pumped 2x at work (every 4 hours) and that has worked well for me. I pump before I leave for work at 645 then at 1045 and 245. Then I'm home 545-6 to nurse. So don't freak out about it if you can only get 2 sessions in at work. In your case, I'd pump in the morning before I leave rather than wake the baby up to nurse. If baby doesn't have a full feeding then I have to pump anyway so its double work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-973001 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:55:18 +0000 Adira 973001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Well, maybe she'll be awesome and start doing a longer stretch for you so she's hungry at 4:45. Although you could always just feed her first thing when you get up. Or if she eats at 3:00, I guess just leave it at that and maybe pump instead of nurse. If she's going to go through 4 bottles at daycare though, you'll want to try to pump 4 times I think, just to keep your supply up. So maybe you can pump at home and then 3 times at work? Or you could always pump before you go to bed or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-972972 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:49:43 +0000 JoJoGirl 972972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I do - but I have to find a way to fit in 8 a day if there's the demand for that. I wonder if I could see someone during lunch if it meant opening up spots in better times of day...although I work in a clinic that closes for lunch so it may take some negotiation.</p> <p>@Adira: Well this was before LO :) but for my position I sort of have to work out... long story but I have to be a role model, if that makes sense. And yeah that might make sense to try and feed her before I go, but we'll have to see - if she's not hungry, she won't eat, I've learned :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-972964 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:47:30 +0000 Smurfette 972964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the same hours. She wakes up anywhere between 430-630 to eat. This morning she woke at 445, I nursed her, she went back to sleep till I had to wake her up. Since it was less then 3 hours, I didn't nurse again before we left. If she had woken up at 330 to eat, then I would have nursed her again before we left. So today she will go through all 4 bottles that I sent, since she eats 3 every hours. </p> <p>Then I pump at 9, 12, and 3 every day. I just don't take a lunch break. Other then running to the cafeteria downstairs to grab something, if I don't bring anything. It sucks not having a break, but I figure I do take HB breaks during the day. I pick her up around 440/445. Today, she will have her last bottle at 4 (I called and checked) so I won't nurse again till 630, when we start bedtime. Some days she is due at 530 for a bottle, so she nurses as soon as we get home, I just don't nurse her as long, more of a snack. Since bed time is at 630 and I always nurse before putting her down. </p> <p> I don't pump at night. I found that I would only get 2-3 ozs and I hate pumping so I just don't do it. Some nights I should cause by the end of the week, I usually can't get the 20ozs that she needs if she goes through all 4 bottles, which she is doing more and more lately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-972951 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:44:23 +0000 Adira 972951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: You're crazy! But good for you if you can fit in the gym! I would either try to pump 3 times at work if possible (maybe you can do 7:30, 11:30, 3:30?) if you don't have time to do it at home. Definitely try to pump as many times as your baby will be eating during the day.</p> <p>Also, since your baby will probably be sleeping, you can get up and get ready to go and have nursing be the last thing you do before you leave. I have to nurse first because I pump at home, so I have to make sure I fit that in. But if you could pump when you get to work after the gym, you could just nurse at 4:45 and then be on your way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-972949 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:43:59 +0000 regberadaisy 972949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: do you make the hours for appointments?</p> <p>I would def try to schedule your appointments so you get a morning and afternoon session in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-972944 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:42:08 +0000 JoJoGirl 972944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: The problem is I have a job that requires I meet with clients hourly (think therapist but different). In the past, before LO, I've seen them every hour on the hour. I wonder if I can do them more back to back to accommodate a pumping session (ie 10-10:30, then 11:30-12 and 12-12:30) to pump at 11 (i use the other half hour for note taking, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-moms-help-me-understand-how-nursingpumping-works#post-972937 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:41:03 +0000 JoJoGirl 972937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: oh you have the same work schedule i do! Awesome! Mine will look similar except I'm going to try to work out before work, so will need to leave the house closer to 5:15/5:30. Hubs will handle morning routine and daycare drop off. </p>