Starting Solids When to Pump

When I began to store milk, I would pump after the first a.m. feeding when I had the most milk. I would either pump the breast that was fed on last or not at all, or double pump both breasts and retrieve the hind milk of the nursed on breast. Then later, I would pump after feedings to get the hind milk, cool in fridge then add to other milk stored on that day to have adequate ounces for full bottle feedings. When I returned to work or was bottle training, I would pump at my childs usual feedings times. I typically would bring home all my bottles cooled, shake them all a little to mix up the milkfat, then divide into bottles for the next day. If I didn't use all the milk, I would freeze it within 3 days for back up milk (4-6 ounce baggies, I highly recommend Lansinoh bags...they are sterile, double zippered, have accurate ounce lines, are very durable and pour out really well into bottles). I would also recommend using a permanent marker for the ounces, the date the milk was pumped, and for ease...add an expiration date for other caregivers. If your child ever goes to daycare, you may want to add his name to the bag too, and place all your little baggies in a large ziploc identifying his milk...this also adds extra protection to your liquid gold.

Happy pumping!! :-)
~~L.

2 moms found this helpful

Since you have been breast feeding for a while now your body should produce milk on demand, which should make it a little easier for you to start pumping for freedom. You might try pumping during your sons naps or even right before or right after he feeds. You may experience some discomfort due to increased milk production when you first start, but then again you may not since you have been pumping for so long. Best of luck! I breast fed my son for 15 months and learned many of the ins and outs of the "human milk bar" trade. (That's what my mom nicknamed it since my son basically looked at me as a walking talking multi-purpose buffet for so long). Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. I love being able to help people with this sort of stuff! Also, you might only produce a small amount of milk when you first start pumping in between feedings, but like I said, your body should adjust and readjust as it needs to whatever changes work best for you and your family. Best wishes!

Pump for 10 min. each breast following the baby's feeding.

I used to have to record a show when my son was an infant and was pumping whenever my breasts became engorged. It seemed to be early morning and late afternoon that worked best. I would store the breast milk in the freezer and that way would have reserves on hand. There's a proper way of freezing your breast milk but sorry, I don't recall what I used. Don't freeze your milk in plastic but when you defrost and warm it then put it in the bottle. I think you can freeze it up to a week.

You've already received great advice. I just wanted to reiterate to pump after he's done nursing. And to add that if someone else feeds him from expressed milk when you might have nursed him otherwise, you can pump then. Of course, if the reason someone else was feeding him was so you could have a break, hooking up to the pump may defeat the point. Just try to keep in mind that it's all about supply and demand. If you demand more from your breasts than he's taking on his own, they should continue to produce. Good luck and kudos for continuing to breast-feed!

Your milk supply is greatest in the morning, so I would pick then.

Have fun!

What worked the best for me was to pump one breast while my baby suckled the other. That way, my milk was already flowing so I didn't have any discomfort at having the pump try to get my milk to let down.

When the baby's done feeding, pump out as much more as the breasts will give (try for 5 minutes, if nothing stop). Then try pumping again in an hour, unless the baby wants to nurse again. This will help increase your supply, since you're pumping more than what the baby needs, and hopefully will be enough for you to even slip away to do some much-needed retail therapy!
Good luck!

You can store your milk MUCH LONGER than a week! AND you can store it in plastic bags! They just have to be make for that...You can freeze it for months! See below info from Dr. Sears, here is the link also http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T026900.asp#T026901

Plastic bags specially designed for freezing expressed human milk are available from many companies that specialize in products for breastfeeding mothers and babies. These bags are sturdier than those used in baby bottles and have self-closures that are easier to seal and label. They do a better job of protecting milk components than nurser bags. Some types can be attached directly to your pump. Plastic storage bags are available from The LLLI Catalog.

Where stored Storage temperature
(degrees Fahrenheit) Storage temperature
(degrees Centigrade) How long
At room temperature 60 degrees F 15 degrees C 24 hours
At room temperature 66-72 degrees F 19-22 degrees C 10 hours
At room temperature 79 degrees F 25 degrees C 4-6 hours
In a refrigerator 32-39 degrees F 0-4 degrees C 8 days
In a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator 2 weeks
In a self-contained freezer unit of a refrigerator 3-4 months
In a separate deep freeze with a constant temperature 0 degrees F -19 degrees C 6 months or longer

You can always go to La Leche Leagues website for all info on breastfeeding, good luck and great job ! www.llli.org

well u get the most milk in the mornings when u pump...the least amount at around mid afternoon..you get more if you pump both breasts at the same time..i would recommend getting the easy expression bra... www.easyexpressionproducts.com u can also get one at the Pump Station. also u can get more from a hospital grade pump and wouldn't have to pump as often.
you can also pump right after you nurse and save what you get out..you'll probably only get an ounce though if even that..but it will teach your body to make more milk. also when u pump u can pump for 10 minutes then rest 10 then pump 10 so u can get a second let down. i used to use the bra and sit at my computer pumping b/c it makes it so u can pump hands free if you are using an electric pump.

I stayed at home with my little guy for the first 6 months and my husband was always saying just pump but I found it to be so hard to pump while at home with my baby. It was so much easier for me to just breastfeed him. For me it was difficult at first, so if you don't get the hang of it right away be patient and stick with it. I pump now while I'm at work and it just takes awhile to get started. I would recommend pumping first thing in the morning! Find what works best for you and then try and get on a routine. Good luck!!!

Hi P.,

When do you have the most milk? Usually, it's first thing in the morning. So I would pump AFTER you nurse him. Even if you only get one ounce - save it and add to it. You can pump after almost every feeding if you want. Good luck and good job!
-E.