block feeding and pumping?

[Michigan Mama]

I've been block feeding for a few weeks due to fore/hindmilk imbalance. Going back to work next week, very part time, like 5-10 hours per week, but I"m wondering how to pump. Pump only on the side of the block I'm on? Pump on both anyway?

Right now I often pump first thing in the morning, and I have been doing both sides, but I'm not sure if that's best. Plus when I'm working, I'll pump once while I"m there (1/2 day), and wonder if I should just do the one side, or both.

Anyone who's btdt?

[Michigan Mama]

anyone?

[Heba]

No experience of that, but until or unless someone comes along with more definite info, I'd say that you're probably more likely to get that "hindmilk" if you stick to the one breast while pumping. However, if you're only talking one bottle every now and then, I dare say that on balance it wouldn't overly matter if that bottle has a lower fat content.

[Michigan Mama]

Thanks. That makes sense. It will only be one bottle, once or twice per week, most likely, so it probably doesn't matter that much.

thanks

[zoeart]

thanks for posting this, I have been wondering the same exact thing!
I was trying out pumping on one side, at the beginning of a new time block ( right now I am doing 6 hours at a time, 9 am - 3 pm, 3-9, 9-3, etc...) so I would pump at 9 am before starting to nurse ds from that side, when it was most full.
I too am not pumping a whole lot- just enough to have a few bottles available (for me to get more sleep and go out for dinner for dh's birthday!) but I think I did notice some difference from this ... the side that got pumped thought it needed to make more, and got a bit more full that day.
I do wonder if the pumping is undermining the block feeding process, even just a little...the lactation consultant at a bf support group i go to thought my approach sounded good, but she didn't know for sure either. darn!
Sorry I don't have any answers! But there are others of us out here in the same boat...