Pumping/freezer stash question

My freezer stash has pretty much been completely depleted.

I didn't pump enough during my 6 week maternity leave.

At work, I only have time to pump twice - but I miss 3 feedings with the baby.

He eats anywhere from 4-5 ounces for each feeding. Right now, I've been getting around 12-12.5 ounces/day at work - so I'm making basically just enough for the next day.

Right now in the freezer I have 6 bags of BM with 4-5 ounces in each bag. I have a 4-day weekend starting tomorrow and want to BF and build up my freezer stash a little. Is that possible?

When should I be pumping in relation to when he eats? Before? (if so, how long before? will i still have enough milk for him?) After (How long after? I hate feeling like my boobs are always being used... he feeds for 30 minutes and feeds every 3 hours).

I know everyone always says to pump in the morning after his first feeding, but when I do that... I literally get almost nothing. Not even enough to cover the bottom of the bottle!

Any advice for me? THANKS!

Re: Pumping/freezer stash question

Pumping BEFORE the first morning feeding is best. The baby is more efficient at getting milk out, so he won't be hungry.

Once DS started sleeping through the night, I actually added my own pumping session right before I went to bed. (It would be a few hours after he went to sleep.)

Also, are you pumping both sides at the same time? I was told that was much more efficient that pumping one at a time.

Re: Pumping/freezer stash question

If you don't get much after the first morning feeding, I'd pump at least an hour before that feeding. My supply really tanked around 9-10 months. The only way I made it to 1 year was by getting up early and pumping at least an hour before he nursed. Pumping 1-2 times on Saturdays and Sundays also helped me get through each week.

Re: Pumping/freezer stash question

I would always pump one breast and feed the other in the morning..bec they were fullest then...they were satisfied nursing off of just the one...you can also pump after every time you nurse....you may only get 1/2 oz but that is all extra..and you are then also telling your body to make more and it will eventually be more!

I also pumped before I went to bed at around 11ish....so it was a while after I last fed my DCs and was able to get a bunch there!

I also took fenugreek (3 pills-3 times a day) that helped a lot with increasing my supply...
-Drinks lots ans lots of water!!!
-are you massaging/breast compressions the whole pumping session..I would sometimes double my output when I did this..I would also wait for a second letdown around the 20-22 min mark before I stopped!

Good luck...