Increasing my supply to supplement a friend's adopted baby??

[earlyworm]

Hello all!  I have an interesting question.  I am breastfeeding my 7 month old.  He is exclusively breastfed, not getting any solids on a regular basis. Nursing is going great.

My good friend has just adopted a newborn and we are both interested in me pumping so that her baby can get some breast milk along with the formula he's already on.  

What are the potential pitfalls (if any) of doing this?  How should I go about it?  

My major concerns are: can this endanger my supply at all, or deprive my own baby of milk he needs?  Will milk intended for a 7 month old even be a good thing for a newborn to have?  And most of all, how do I go about actually DOING this?  As in, when and how often should I be pumping, how soon can I expect an increase in supply?  Do I need an electric pump or will my hand pump work okay?  

Anyone out there have experience doing this?  Did it work out?  I'd love to hear about it!  

[tincia]

Just want to say you are an amazing friend! It is soawesome that you are going to do that, what a lucky babe to have you and your friend!

[homemademom]

Originally Posted by earlyworm 

Hello all!  I have an interesting question.  I am breastfeeding my 7 month old.  He is exclusively breastfed, not getting any solids on a regular basis. Nursing is going great.

My good friend has just adopted a newborn and we are both interested in me pumping so that her baby can get some breast milk along with the formula he's already on.  

What are the potential pitfalls (if any) of doing this?  How should I go about it?  

My major concerns are: can this endanger my supply at all, or deprive my own baby of milk he needs?  Will milk intended for a 7 month old even be a good thing for a newborn to have?  And most of all, how do I go about actually DOING this?  As in, when and how often should I be pumping, how soon can I expect an increase in supply?  Do I need an electric pump or will my hand pump work okay?  

Anyone out there have experience doing this?  Did it work out?  I'd love to hear about it!  

How awesome for your friend and her baby. What a good friend you are!  I would think it would be similar to building a freezer stash, where you pump immediately after you nurse so you aren't "stealing" milk from your baby.  Morning pumps are the best because you get the most milk, but any pumping you do regularly each day will increase your supply and output at those pumping sessions. I think any pump that works for you would be fine.

Though bm is tailored to the age and needs of a baby, I think it's a pretty subtle difference, so any breastmilk will be an awesome addition to your friend's newborn's diet.

I'd read up at kellymom.org about milk storage and freezing. Find out how your friend wants to do it: does she want to add an ounce or two to each bottle during the day or give a couple full bottles of just bm?  That will determine how you store/freeze the milk.

Good luck to all of you!