Need Advice on Pumping

Good Morning L.,
I have mentioned this to quite a few nursing moms, and I can only assume you have something working well for you with the bottle. I have recommended the NUK nipple, it is shaped most like you and will not confuse your baby when switching from breast to bottle. But you didn't mention any problems with this, sorry.

With being gone for 3 days, I know you will probably be busy, and unable to pump as often as your baby nurses when you are together.

You probably shouldn't have a problem with cutting back for a couple days, to maybe 3 or 4 pumpings throughout the day, when you can.

When you get back to your baby, you will notice a reduction in milk production, but it shouldn't take long to rebuild. Just get back to nursing like normal, a little more often, if needed, to get back up to normal production level. This should take less than a week or so.

As long as you pump a couple times a day, you will not lose your milk, it will just slow down production, until you get back onto a regular schedule.

It takes longer than 3 days for milk production to stop, it only slows down. Just remember to pump a couple times a day to keep it going strong, then back to a normal nursing schedule will bring full production back to normal.

Good luck

Hi there-
Not sure where you're going but you can make pumping a priority, no matter what. I have a very demanding job with lots of direct reports, deadlines, etc. On business trips or 16 hour days I dropped everything to pump every 2 hours, no exceptions. From leaving whatever meeting or task to pumping, cleaning up and getting back it would take 20 minutes. with both kids I nursed/pumped for their first 6 months, then stopped as that was my goal.
hope this helps!
S.

Don't worry, it takes longer than that for milk production to disapear. I would pump everytime your breasts feel heavy but not engorged. Yes, your production may decrease slightly as the pump works differently than a nursing infant. You can plan on pumping 3-5 times a day I would say depending on how much milk you can get out. Congrats on the pumping, I really admire that, I was a terrible pumper. :)

Pump the same amount of time you would normally feed your baby. If you nurse/pump 7 times on any given day, then when you go away, it should be the same amount of time.
If you notice your supply dropping, that's fine - when you get back from vacation, you may need to nurse a bit more often to build your supply back up.

Have fun! :)

Hi L.,

A good rule of thumb is- pump when you would normally nurse the baby- if you can, that is. Breastfeeding is compleately a supply and demand phenomenon- the more you feed the baby or pump, the more milk you will have, and vice versa.
If you will not have as many opportunities to pump as you would be nursing the baby, just try to make your pumping sessions a little longer when you do get them (even if nothing comes out at the end, pump a few extra minutes- the stimulation will send a message to your brain to make more milk at the next feeding), and pump/feed the baby a bit longer for a few days after you get home. It may take a few days to balance out, but as long as your breasts are getting some form of regular demand (either pump or baby) in those days while you're away, your milk supply will be fine.

Hi L., I was extremely successful & dedicated to breastfeeding and pumping for my first son, and have many tips to share! But my *best* tip for you is an herbal supplement called More Milk Plus by Motherlove. http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_plus.php My milk supply naturally increased, and we felt so fortunate to have an ample milk supply on hand for bottle feedings. My lactation consultant endorsed and recommended MMP, and said she wished she could bottle my supply! Sometimes the very stress of not producing enough milk can affect milk production. It may take a few days for you to see results (and I do hope you have the kind of success most women have using the supplement) but when you do, should be delighted. L., I ordered it online at Amazon and even Ebay. The very best to you! M.

Hi L.,

When my son was around 5/6 months old I went to a weekend conference as well. Because of time constraints, I pumped the bare minimum. I am large-breasted so mine "store" milk pretty well, and I can pump less often and get the same amount. I just pumped when I was too uncomfortable not to. For three days you will be fine with your milk supply. When you completely stop nursing, it can still take weeks to months for your milk supply to completely disappear. Even if you pump less often than you nurse, you will probably be surprised at how much milk you have. Good luck!