Pumping when nursing fulltime

[aNewMamma]

Am breastfeeding my little one month old exclusively and intend to for awhile. I was however advised by a lactation consultant that I met last week, that I should start pumping after every nursing, or atleast three times a day - just to increase the milk production. My son was a little low in weight when born (2 weeks early, 5lb, 14oz) but has been steadily gaining weight and also shows no signs of not getting enough (poops and ev'thing fine). She did weigh the baby during the session before and after feeding and suspected that he doesn't seem to be getting enough. Apart from the fact that it is extremely exhausting (for me) I get confused messages on the pumping story - some people think it is quite unnecessary when you're nursing full time. I did manage to pump only a couple of times and didn't get very much either. What do people think?
-R.

[bec]

I pump exclusively for my 2nd dd and am still nursing my 3.5 year old. Pumping after nursing will increase your supply, even if you aren't getting anything out. The stimulation is telling your body to produce more milk.

I would also work on keeping your baby on the breast a little longer. Try doing breast compressions to keep him interested and to help him nurse more effectively for longer. Pump for 10 minutes or so only after you have done all this.

Also, make sure you are well hydrated. Not drinking enough water can have devastating effects on supply. I would also eat a large bowl of oatmeal every day. This has really increased my supply. There are also tinctures, capsules, and teas you can drink to increase supply.


Bec

[AliW]

In the beginning I pumped after every daytime nursing session. I probably did this for the first month or so. For me, it really helped me stay slightly ahead of my DS's milk needs and make enough extra to build a freezer stash. I quickly dropped back to pumping once per day except when my son went through growth spurts - at one point I had nothing in the evening and began pumping after evening nursing sessions to help build supply. For me this worked very well, and never resulted in oversupply. I still pump once per day in the morning to keep milk on hand for DH to feed my DS every other day or so.

[malibusunny]

I think that the main thing is to keep the baby at the breast. The baby is much better stimulation than the pump.

My best advice for pumping is to create a "feeding" that is just for pumping. For example, when your baby cuts out a feeding, keep that feeding, just feed your pump instead. Otherwise, you can create one artificially-- wait about a half hour after feeding, preferably during the morning (most women have more milk in hte morning) and pump every day after that feeding. I find it helps to have the baby suck a litte before pumping, too.