My baby will be 4 weeks on Monday and I want to start to pump my breast milk but which side do I start with? She usually nurses on both sides but recently she has been doing about 20 mintues on one side and falls asleep or is full when I offer her the second breast. Please help
I usually switched on and off w/ the breast, similar to when I fed my son. If he fed on one side, I'd pump the other. At the next side I'd let him feed on the side that I'd pumped and I'd pump the other side. I guess the bottom line is to just keep switching them off and on, no matter what it is you're doing - breastfeeding or pumping.
T.-
Do what feel comfortable - I would empty the other breast with the pump, but begin with that breast when she feeds next time.
Best of luck - A.
I have three kids and successfully pumped and was able to breastfeed each until they were one. Keep with it!
My daughter (almost 6 months now) only feeds on one side at each feeding. I always pump both sides because once I went back to work it was more efficient to pump both sides - saves time and you get more milk. It makes no difference on the weekends when I'm home feeding her. So I suggest you pump both sides after the feeding. If you can get her to take on the other side even for a minute, it should help your pumping session (it's like priming a pump). Good luck.
I always pumped both but you won't get much out if your baby just nursed one side. Don't forget to drink extra water. I'm still nursing my son at age 2 1/2! You're doing an awesome thing for his health even though I know that these kids don't sleep as well as the others. I hope you're lucky and getting sleep! www.homemadegourmet.com/tuesday815101
First off, I would really try to get her to nurse on both sides at each feeding. Even if she only nurses a couple of minutes on side 2. Start pumping with the breast she fed off of last, or if she only fed off of one, start with the other one.
If she's full after one breast at a regular nursing time, pump the second and then offer the one you pumped first the next time. Alternatively, I had to start moving my son to the second breast after about 10 minutes at about that age so he wouldn't fall too asleep to get to the second breast. (doesn't help with the pumping, though)
HI! I always pumped the opposite side of the one she would nurse from...so they would fill evenly. I would pump starting with the breast that was more full, if she had nursed from both.
I was really good about pumping and freezing and then noticed a lot of it was going to waste bc I wasn't needing it...
I always pumped both.
