I know many of you have read that my LO is very sick and in the hospital. He is exclusively breast fed and has started the eating less. I'm trying to pump to maintain supply but I don't know how often or how great of a volume is required. If your supply is well- established, what is a reasonable minimum to pump to keep my supply?
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Here is some information. I know that hospital grade pumps are more recommended in instances where nursing frequently is not an option, but you have an established enough BF relationship at this point that it might be overkill for you. http://www.nursingmothers.org/html/supply.html Sounds like you want to mimic his feeding schedule with the pump.
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I think 25 oz is a standard "typical" amount for a baby to eat in a day, but it can vary. Is there a lactation consultant available at the hospital?
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I don't know the answer to your question, but my friend sent me this link about effective pumping technique. Maybe it will help you pump however much you need quickly and with as little hassle as possible. The idea is that emptying your breasts as much as possible signals them to keep making milk.
Good luck
ETA: the link
http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2012/6/27/to-pump-more-milk-use-hands-on-pumping.html -
Just wanted to bump this up for you and wish you good luck!
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I need to bump this to see if anyone has an opinion regarding my plan. My LO is 6.5 months, ebf. The few bottles he takes are 5 oz. He eats 5 times during the day and 2 "snacks" at night. He takes only 1 side/feed. I'm trying to pump both sides 5 times during the day for about 20 min., similarish to his feeding schedule. Think I should be able to pump 30 oz. Then pump once in the middle of the night for about 10 min. This is all with hospital pump. Do you think this should maintain my supply fairly well? We'll have a big stash so if I'm a bottle or so short I think we can use frozen until we have him on some solids meals.
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I think your plan sounds great! Sending lots of love to you both.
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It sounds like a good plan. Best of luck, we are all rooting for you.
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@Ms.Badger: I think your plan sounds good. I think mimicking his normal nursing schedule as closely as possible is key in maintaining your supply. If you are still nursing and he doesn't nurse well a feeding I would probably still pump after nursing if you had the time to in hopes that it would stimulate production (not necessarily to get ounces at that time). I believe it is something like between 1-5 am, on average, our bodies produce the most milk, so I would try to pump at least once during that window. Hugs mama! You are being an amazing rock for you LO! Many thoughts and prayers headed your way!
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@Ms.Badger: I think that sounds like a good plan. I would just watch your output. If it's dropping, you may need to pump a little bit longer than you would nurse since pumping is not quite as efficient. Good luck, & thinking of you guys!
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Sounds like a good plan. Wishing you tons of luck!
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Sounds like a good plan!
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11 comments