Pumping for work

[squirrelletta]

Does anyone have any tips on how often I should pump to work 3 days a week. Its an odd question but, Im only getting 1oz. average if I pump without DS nursing on the other side. He's obviously eating more than that but I'm afraid I wont have enough for him by Feb 14th when I go to work and also, that while pumping at work, the fact that I'll only be getting one ounce at a time will cause me to dry up a little.

Does that make sense?!?

Also, are there any pumping BOOKS that someone has found helpful?

THANK YOU!

[kofduke]

Will you pump at work while you are away from your DS? You will pump more while double-pumping for a missed feeding, instead of pumping while DS is eating. I also had one side I could often pump quite a bit more from (6 oz. left side, 2 right at the height of my time pumping).

Something else I did was to only feed on one side during the night and for the first morning feeding; I then pumped the other side and could often fill a bottle that way.

Your DS also *will* probably eat a bit less while you are gone, and then catch-up when you're home and overnight. That's okay - he will probably continue to prefer you, and so long as he's meeting his wet diapers and milestones you shouldn't be concerned.

A good book for going back to work with a younger babe is Nursing Mother, Working Mother. Come join us in the Working Moms forum, too!

[RubyV]

Pumping takes practice. The first few times you do it, you may not get alot. YOu have to figure out what works for you while pumping. Also, what kind of pump are you using? That makes a lot of diffrenence. A PIS will get more milk than a manual, and maintain your supply better.

You will get more when you are separated from baby, first thing in the morning, and if you tried pumping during his longest strech of sleep.

I second the rec of that book. It was a lifesaver, especially since I was working 12 hr shifts.

[dawndup]

I can't tell from your response completely... you're getting 1 oz or less if DS is NOT nursing on the other side... but more if he's nursing while you pump?

My guess is that you are not having a letdown for the pump. I had this happen to me from time to time, and it happens more often if I am tense. I'll get about an ounce of drip milk but nothing else happens. But there's plenty of milk there, and later I'll find I'm engorged - the milk just didn't come out with the pump.

For me the trick was just to R-E-L-A-X a bit more while pumping. It's harder to do when you don't have a sweet baby in your arms to melt you. I read very light reading material - People Magazine is a good one Just some trash to keep your mind off the day's events so you can unwind enough to have a letdown. Try whatever works for you - soft music, journaling, sending e-mail...

I also found that it was very difficult to let down if i was only pumping one side, but I was pretty successful if I double-pumped. If you're not using a double pump, try renting one for a few days and see how it treats you. You will need to buy the pump accessories. If you're planning to work 3 days a week for quite some time, it'd be worth investing in a Pump in Style or Ameda Purely Yours (I think the PY is cheaper and I've heard it's just as effective).

Good luck!

[squirrelletta]

Thank you SO much for the advice (and YES, I will definately check out the working mom forum) This site has been a life saver!

I purchased the Madela Pump in style, so it is a double pump. Im sure my problem is let down (or lack there of!) Plus when I switch the speed down which the Lac. cons. told me to do after 5 min or so, I feel like NOTHING is coming out! The more frustrated I get, the less milk (obviously) so Ive been trying to relax and think of DS nursing and all that.

Yes, I will be pumping at work at least once! (Im a dental hygienist and I get an hour lunch, but the other pumpings will be sneaking in between patients or if I finish someone early, so... )

-sq

[A&L+1]

I pump three times a day at work. I have had let down challenges too and I have actually learned a meditation that helps me to get let down (it's basically visualizing liquid flowing from the top of my head to my lungs, heart and then breasts). It works but I have to really focus on not stressing about let down even if I am in a hurry and have a meeting or whatever.

Other thoughts:
Pump close to the same times everyday
Pump at home timed for the middle of your baby's longest stretch of sleep
Drink and eat lots!

These things made all the difference for me! Good luck!

[dawndup]

I had the best luck if I kept the speed setting the highest the whole time I pumped (not turning it down after 5 mins) - but I had to keep the suction low. Play with both settings to see what works best for you.

It gets better with time and practice Practicing at home is a good idea. I would pump at home after DD went down for her first morning nap - about an hour after she last ate. I could also get a lot of milk if I was able to get up before she did and pump before her first morning feed (I would not pump to empty, just to express 3 ounces or so). In the mornings is when i had the most milk and I think that's true for most women. Letdown was easier then too. Just get in the habit of pumping once a day at close to the same time and I think you'll find in time it gets easier and easier.

going back to work stinks but pumping helps you feel more connected to baby... good luck with it!

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

It definitely gets easier with practice and once you figure out how your body likes the pump best -- what a lac. consult says might not work for you. I was a high speed / high suction person all the way.

Pumping just once a day isn't ideal. Is there any way you can arrange your schedule to get a morning and/or afternoon session in too? I always found that my very best pumping was the morning session. If you can't do it while you are at work, you might try arranging your schedule so you can pump between home and work or arrive at work early and pump before going "on the clock". Afternoons for me were less critical because I didn't get as much milk then.

I worked a PT schedule too and found that I could often get in a "nap pump" on the days when I was home. This helped build my supply for the days when I was at work.

Lots and lots of water are really key. Finding a way to relax and pump is important too. I'm lucky that I had an office and I would close the door and surf this site, which helped.

Good luck!

[squirrelletta]

Yeah, I've been really disappointed with my lac. consult. Thats why this site has helped so much. I can actully get a straight awnser without attitude!

I'll try leaving the settings alone, that would make my life much easier anyhow. I have very large breasts and Im forced to hold the pumps in place the whole time, so the minutes tick by like hours when I can't even read a mag or drink some water. I have been pumping more than once a day now and Im sure when I work I'll squeeze in at least two pumpings. Maybe even do the one side while DS eats before the drop-off. Then 2 at work..

Im obviously dreading returning to work like everyone does, but at the same time...sort of looking forward to some slight breathing room on my own for a while. I'm sure I won't feel that way when I see DS go into daycare but I have the fantasy! (and the guilt along with it)

My job is very BF/pumpin' friendly which hopefully will make my life much easier...I couldn't ask for a better workplace and staff. (Finally!)

-SQ

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

You know that the pump company makes a special horn for larger breast sizes, right? Check out the website and see if those might work better for you. Also, I found that I could get the horns in place and then lean forward so I could brace the horns against my desk edge. From there I could use the computer or the phone, though not write or read easily. You might try it.

[mum2 4]

YOu can also make a horn holding bra from a sports bra. Cut circles that hold the horns in place. Penney's also offers one in their catalogue
To get more results from pumping try having a drink and gently messaging breasts before using pump. Pause in mid pumping for another drink and some deep breaths and then pump again. finish up with a bit of hand expressing ( breastfeeding.com has an article Expressing Breastmilk) to maximize production. Its also a handy skill to have in case of a power outage or if you are away from pump...

[squirrelletta]

The lac. consult. just told me to take the baby's weight multiply by 2.5 then divide by the number of feedings in 24 hours (8 in my case)...so it came out to 3.75....so does that mean I need to be collecting that much per day?!?!?!

I forgot to ask and OF COURSE 10 minutes later theres no awnser on their phone ARRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

-SQ

[sparkle&shine]

Originally Posted by squirrelletta

The lac. consult. just told me to take the baby's weight multiply by 2.5 then divide by the number of feedings in 24 hours (8 in my case)...so it came out to 3.75....so does that mean I need to be collecting that much per day?!?!?!

I forgot to ask and OF COURSE 10 minutes later theres no awnser on their phone ARRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

-SQ

That means that idealy you should have 3.75 oz bottles for each feeding that baby will be missing. If he will be missing 3 feedings while you are gone you need to have 3 bottles ready. For me though my baby doesn't eat a whole lot while I am gone and makes up for it when I get home and at night. Also be prepared that the first day or two back he may not take much if anything at all but he will adjust. I freaked out when on my first day back DS only took 2 oz. but he has since moved up to taking 3 4 oz bottles while I am away - plus I go home and nurse him at lunch.

[kofduke]

Originally Posted by squirrelletta

The lac. consult. just told me to take the baby's weight multiply by 2.5 then divide by the number of feedings in 24 hours (8 in my case)...so it came out to 3.75....so does that mean I need to be collecting that much per day?!?!?!

I forgot to ask and OF COURSE 10 minutes later theres no awnser on their phone ARRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

-SQ

There is a very good chance that your baby will eat a bit less while you're gone!

[squirrelletta]

Thanks...she did call back and confermed what you had said.

I hope he eats a little less...Im afraid I wont have enough pumped for him!

PS: and I did order that book! I found it used on Amazon for two bucks! SCORE! (of course shipping was like the same amount! he, he...)