Hellobee Boards

Can you pump one side while nursing on the other? That's what I've been doing with m.

It's really hard to pump and BF full time!

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!

@jill_a55: could you try pumping as soon as he goes down for the first nap?

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

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.

Good luck!

I used to pump in the middle of the night.

@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!

@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).

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!

@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!

I'd try that pumping regimen whenever you have an opportunity to squeeze it in. Mornings produced higher yields for me.

Good luck!

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.