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Q&A: Prepping to pump?

"Should I start pumping immediately, or wait? I plan to stay at home for five months and then go back to work." -trishie7

Re: "Should I start pumping immediately, or wait? I plan to stay at home for five months and then go back to work." -trishie7

The Bump Expert

You definitely want to get accustomed to using your breast pump before you go back to work -- it can take a few tries to get the hang of it. But, there's no rush.

Focus on developing your breastfeeding relationship with your baby for the first few months. About a month before you go back to work, learn to use your pump and start storing some milk in the freezer. It's usually easiest to pump in the morning when you will typically have a good supply.

Andi Silverman | June 19 , 2009 12:04 PM

re: Q: Prepping to Pump?

It's a good idea to start pumping when your baby starts the growth spurts. You'll notice that after nursing your baby, maybe at around 6 weeks of age, he/she will not be satisfied and will want more milk. This is a great time to pump like 2 or 3 extra times per day for 3 days straight. This will increase your milk supply. If you have more questions, just ask. I feel like a BF/pumping expert now!

HawaiiBrideGrm | December 20 , 2007 12:45 AM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

Don't wait to pump--try to feed your baby half an ounce or so of breast milk from a bottle every night once you start to try the bottle--usually one month after birth. That will get your baby used to the bottle, but to get that amount you will probably only need to pump every few days.

hutchjess | December 28 , 2009 2:21 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

Agreed! Don't wait too long to try a bottle. My baby refused the bottle at 8 weeks and it was a very trying process to teach her to take it. Lots of crying for both of us. Now she is fine with it, but next time I'll incorporate a bottle at 1 month.

entropy79 | January 07 , 2010 6:44 AM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I bought a pump within the first week of having the baby. I was SO engorged, I needed the pump to realease the extra milk. I went back to work at 5 weeks thus, needed to get the baby familiar with the bottle. We started giving her a bottle of my expressed milk at 3 weeks. I would say start a baby no earlier than 3 weeks because you don't want to give the baby nipple confusion. Yet, I would say don't wait any longer than 5 weeks because the baby might refuse the bottle. Which would be just as bad. So... somewhere between 3 and 5 weeks. And pay attention to the nipple you are using for your bottles, there are nipples with small holes so, the baby has to suck harder. Start the baby off on these nipples.

jacque1986 | January 30 , 2010 4:47 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

Okkay ladies so this is kind of off the subject but I really need some advise. I recently went back to work with a 8 week old and I have been breastfeeding so I pump at work. I work for a small buisness with only 3 employees (retail botique) My boss recently had a meeting with me re: my pumping and the time it was taking away from her buisness. They even went as far as to ask me if I could eat my lunch at the same time, while in the bathroom!! I was soooo insulted and I couldnt imagine that this would have been a problem. I pump 2 times while at my 8 hr. shift and it takes me no longer that 15 minutes each time. I also recieve no other breaks during the day with the exception of a 20 minute lunch. When I explained why I was taking extra breaks they said well you do know you only get a 20 min. lunch. I live in California and I have done my research and I know that this is totally against the law. I printed the guidlines for breastfeeding moms and left a copy in their box. Am I dealing with this the right way? I need advise. Would you have been offended by this?? Thanks

RydersFan | June 07 , 2010 12:12 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I think you handled it properly. I would have been offended also. BF is such an important part of your child development and bond with you. They should be more sympathetic especially if you are still doing your job.

popurum | June 24 , 2010 3:10 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

RydersFan- i have a great copy of a law that was passed in March of this year that requires all employers provide a pumping area OTHER than a bathroom, and unpaid breaks to pump. If you would like a copy, let me know!

melburns3108 | June 30 , 2010 1:43 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I know this was posted months ago but I would love a copy of that law you mentioned. my email is sandra.fairall78@gmail.com Thanks

smfairall78 | October 15 , 2010 9:28 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

Just a side note . . . the law requiring employer to provide a place for pumping is only applicable to a company with 50 or more employees. I would hate for someone to quote the law to their employer only to have their employer point out that is isn't applicable since they employ under 50 employees.

ShannonLHaines | October 20 , 2010 12:19 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I had a problem getting my son to take the bottle. I think the nipple was just so different that he couldn't figure out how to latch on and ended up just choking on it. A friend recomended some bottles called BreastFlow, they simulate breastfeeding and are more natural for the baby. They work very well, it took a little getting used to for him but we didn't have a crying screaming baby the way we did with a regular bottle and nipple. He has now gotten very good with these bottles and has no problems switching between breat and bottle.

aliciaachurchman | October 25 , 2010 7:31 AM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I would wait for a little while till you have about 3 months to return, then pump as able to build up a supply for when you go back to work. start this far out will give you time to build up your supply and you wont have to pump so much or be worried about running short and you'll have extra if you need to you it. They recommend pumping two extra time a day about an hour after you feed. I would recommend just pumping an hour after your first feeding. since you'll have the time to build up the supply. You can freeze the milk but the recommend only freezing for about 4-6 months depending where it was kept in the freezer.

Annekins | December 30 , 2010 3:03 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

The one related thing I would recommend is having a good breast milk storage system. I use the Mother's Milk Mate. You use the same one bottle to pump store and feed. Plus, I LOVE their storage rack! The first bottle I pump and put in is the first one to roll out to feed my daughter - whether I'm doing the feeding or someone else is (dad, sitter, family member). I pump at work into the bottles, they fit most breast pumps, including my Medela Pump n Style, put the bottle(s) in a bag in the fridge and then bring them home in a cooler. The storage rack is so compact and organized and I need all the help I can get to be organized these days! Good luck!

Julie2001 | January 19 , 2011 1:09 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

What if you HAVE to start pumping right away?? My full term + baby was sent immediately to NICU and can only have IV nutrition right now. I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and hoping my milk will come in without putting baby to breast.

KatieKaboom1 | January 24 , 2011 12:15 AM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I started at 3 weeks with the breastflow bottles. did about 1 feeding every 3-4 days. at about 8 weeks she took a real prefrence to the breast over the bottle anyways. I switch to the Wide neck Dr.Browns about 4 weeks before i came back to work and never had an issue since. At this point I also up the bottle feeding to 1 bottle every morning during the week for the 3 weeks before I started back. Now I'm back to work at 12 weeks and Her feedings are as follows: wakes at 5am to feed, 7am feed before we leave for the sitters. 7:30 Pump before I walk out the door. She eats 3 times at the sitters and I pump at 10:30 and 2 at work during the day. Pick her up at 5:30 and she is ready to eat again when we get home. and then 2 more times before bed time. Still at 8 feedings but Im thinking it will go down once she starts cereal.

tbane | April 11 , 2011 10:20 AM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

My baby went straight to NICU after my c-section and didn't get to take any food orally for a week, just IV fluids. I pumped from day one with a hospital issue medela, we were in the hospital for 15 days while he underwent treatment for a heart condition. After a week they allowed me to BF him and after 1 day of trying he took to it beautifully. We also bottle fed him with milk I'd stored to make sure he was getting enough. He'd guzzle the bottles down, too. I pumped loads of milk, constantly, while also BF. He's 3 months today, has doubled his birth weight! Point is, try to do both if you can, no reason to not start early on the bottle. I still put out plentiful milk, I believe it's thanks to pumping. If you can swing it, buy the Medela free style, you can pay for it with a benefits card if you got one through your work. It is hands down the Medela pump of choice amongst my ladies, so compact and awesome sucking power!

Therese Ewing | November 19 , 2011 11:14 AM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

It may hurt like heck in the begining, but keep at it and using the max setting while doing dual breasts is most efficient. pump every now and then also so that you can store/freeze your milk.. There will be plenty of days in which you wish you had a back up supply, so pump at least once a day - you have the most milk in your breasts in the early morning.

khenaa | January 17 , 2012 1:16 PM

Q&A: Prepping to pump?

I just pump every time I feed her, so I have to buy another freezer at this point (2.5 months)! Be darned if I'm drying up and running out of the stuff though. I know that when I go back to work it's going to be difficult for me to remember to eat, drink and pump, so I'm at risk for my boobs thinking I must be done using them. My only question is that sometimes I have 10oz in a bag... is that going to be too much? Should I break it up so I don't end up feeding the extra to the dog or something? ;)

Budder21 | April 29 , 2012 9:53 AM

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