Breastfeeding and Pumping

[Penut's Mom]

HI - ok I have a question... I am bfeeding and my LO is 4 months. We are just transitioning to a 3.5 hour easy and I don't think it will be long before we are on a 4 hour.

I feed her at 7am from one breast and then after she is down for her nap I pump the other breast - I usually pump off 4oz (125ml). I store this milk for the nights dream feed. I know I could pump even more  from this breast. Then when she wakes I feed her off the breast that was pumped. Should I completely empty the breast or keep going as is.

I was reading that one mom can pump off 9oz from one breast - WOW - when does that happen??

I was also reading that there will be a point where my LO will need both breasts during a feed - around what age does that start?

Thanks

[LyndaManus]

First, congrats on making it to 4 mths!!!!

Everything about breastfeeding is supply/demand and every woman's body is different.

So, your body will regulate itself based on how much pumping and feeding you are doing.  If you want to build up a large stash then pump until it is empty.  If you are happy with what you are doing then keep going as you are.  Just know that later, if you want to pump more you might not be able to because your body will have adjusted to your and your lo's feeding/pumping schedule (well, you would be able to, but you would have to work at it for a while to up the supply again).

9ozs from one breast - yep, I use to do that, but ds doesn't eat as much now so my body has adjusted.

Two breasts vs. one breast - this is where every woman's body is different.  Some start off with double breast feedings from the get go, some transition to this later and some never transition to this.  For me, I only fed off one side until about 2 months ago.  At that time I went on an antibiotic that caused me to have supply issues and I had to go to two sided feedings (now, I sometimes do one and sometimes do two but I always offer both).  I would recommend feeding from one side until it is empty and if, at that time, your lo ever appears to still be hungry then switch sides.  If you are ever unsure, then offer the other breast - remember, you cannot overfeed a breastfed baby.  I will say that my body went through a transition around the 6mth mark where it started to regulate itself better.  It is around this time that the milk gets thicker in texture too so you will notice some changes in supply around this time.

[Penut's Mom]

Thanks for the info - much appreciation

one more question if that is ok... I have tried to pump at 9-10pm so that I can use that milk for the dream feed and nadda. I'm lucky if I get 20ml out of either side. Is that some thing I have to build up or is it never going to happen?

[LyndaManus]

It is something you have to build up for.  I would recommend pumping for 5 to 10 minutes or even more (10 preferred).  You won't get anything in the beginning but you are going for the stimulation.  After a few days you should start getting more.  You have to demand it for a while and after a while your body will get the hint and then the supply will come.

Is there a reason that you aren't doing the df?  Many choose not to so their dh can do it which is fine.  Remember that your lo can always get more out of you than pumping so don't assume that you cannot do the df just because you aren't getting anything when pumping.  Also, you would probably have more success in upping supply if you do the df for a week or two and then switch over to pumping.  Lo's stimulation is always more effective than pumping to up supply.

Keep us posted & good luck!

[Penut's Mom]

HI, I am doing the df. I just prefer to pump for it b/c I felt like I have nothing at nighttime and didn't want to her to be hungry.

We are mega sick with the flu right now and the poor thing was up all through the night. She usually sleeps straight through 10 -11 hours. I'm hoping that we can get back on track tonight as naps today have been horrendous.

As for the pumping I get what you are saying ... I suppose that I was too impatient before and just figured I couldn't pump enough. I am pretty dehydrated today so I am going to df her with some of my frozen stash. That way I know she is getting a good amount of liquids.

I will try though to bf her for the df when we are all feeling better.

Thanks again, T.

[LyndaManus]

Just make sure you pump a lot when you df her from your stash.  With bfing being all about supply/demand using the stash often becomes a slippery slope.  You are sending a message to your body that it is doing enough and doesn't need to do more so supply continues to diminish.

Also, on pumping for df.  Remember that your lo can get at least 1 to 2 more ounces out than you can so I wouldn't worry about not giving enough.  To get stimulation you could always do the df and then sneek the bottle in at the end to top off (still pump after though to simulate that extra stimulation).  Eventually you should be able to decrease the amount in the bottle and do it all yourself.