new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

Message edited 11/29/2010 11:29:57 PM.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

This is a great question, unfortunately I don't have any answers for you as I haven't had my baby yet. But I will definitely need to know the answers for this too.

ETA: Congrats on your little !

Message edited 5/16/2007 2:04:14 PM.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

A few questions:

What type of pump do you have?

Are you sure you have the correct size flanges because if they are too tight you might not be pumping effectively.

Also: Are your sure your milk didn't come in yet? Babies 8 days old don't drink that much yet. They have tiny tummies.

Message edited 5/16/2007 2:05:29 PM.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

You need to get your supply to increase. Even if you are pumping and getting nothing, I'd say still try pumping a few times a day (right after you feed the baby). Your body should respond and start to produce more milk (trick your body into thinking that the baby is suckling & not getting any milk). If you do end up getting some milk by pumping, you could always give that to DC as part of the next feeding. Some women have more luck with pumping than other women do.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and fluids. You should be drinking at least double what the regular recommendation is. So normally 8 glasses of water....make that 16 for you.

You just have to keep feeding on demand. The baby is getting something to be able to feed only every 2 hours or so. If the baby was getting nothing, DC would be crying all the time.

Hang in there! It's tough in the beginning but soooo worth it.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

thanx for your responses ladies!

i have a double pump in style pump

i have no clue what a flange is (not good huh!)

i have no idea if my milk came in yet. my breasts get heavier at times and after he eats they are much softer. he seems to be getting milk and i did pump about 1/2 ounce (he has plenty of poop and pee diapers and is slowly gainng back his weight.) i still can't feel that let down feeling i keep reading about though.

what do you think?

thanks again!

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

I pumped and BF DD for a year. I went back to work after 3 months and pumped 3x a day- once in the morning before I fed her, and twice during the work day. I used the pump in style advanced.

At 8 days, there isn't a lot there. Your milk is still coming in. Babies don't need a lot of milk, so your body doesn't produce to much.

I didn't start pumping until DD was a month old. Even then I didn't get a lot. It takes a few days for your body to adjust to pumping. After a few weeks I was geting 10 oz every mornig before DD's morning feed.

I woudl just keep trying. It sounds like you are off to a great start! You have to remember, your body is still adusting to giving birth and your baby doesn't need so much milk.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

Message edited 5/16/2007 7:38:27 PM.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

sounds like you're doing great. I didn't feel letdown until DS was about 3 mos and I always feel it now (hes 5 1/2 mos) you are still building your supply so don't get discouraged with your pumping amount. The best time to pump is the morning when your supply is the best. My DS always nursed from one side so I would pump the other side either while he nursed or right after. Everyone here is great so ask all the questions you need.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

Even now after 4 months of bf, I still can only pump about 2 ounces a time. I know she is getting way more than that since she is in the 90% for weight and height, so I assume my body just doesn't adjust to pumping well. So don't be worried if little or nothing comes out when you pump.

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

Re: new mom-breast feeding and pumping ?

you guys are awesome! thank you so much for the advice and kind words. i'll try pumping in the morning and even after ds feeds.

thanx again!