4 answers

When Should I Pump?

My 2nd son is 3 weeks old and I would like to start pumping so my husband and 3 yr old son can help feed him. But when should I pump? He is eating every 2 hours almost round the clock. I am worried that after I pump, he will wake up and want to nurse and I will have just expressed all my milk. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

What can I do next?

More Answers

Pump in the morning - you'll have more milk that time of day. If you just want some milk so that you can escape, you can just pump 1-2 oz per day and you'll have enough to feed him very quickly. You can even pump one breast while you nurse him off the other. Don't worry - he's MUCH better at getting the milk out that you are with the pump - there is always enough for him.

1 mom found this helpful

R.:

as Karen has said.... pump in the am.... you have more milk in the am.. richer milk at night.

no pump is as efficient as a baby.. and even a baby does not take all the milk that is in the breast.

P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Something to keep in mind with pumping. If you express the milk and then have hubby or son feed him later-- your body will think that baby didn't need to eat and may adjust down production.

I really think that it's best to save the hubby feeding baby stuff until you need it when you're not home so that your body doesn't get off-track. There are other ways for brother and daddy to bond aside from feeding.

Let your body get into the swing of things before you start doing this-- maybe 8 weeks at a minimum. Let your milk supply be completely established.

Pump right after you feed him. It won't be much at first but when you keep doing it your body will begin to produce more.

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