getting the most out of pumping

[rikiamber]

hoe do i do this? ds goes to day care about 3hrs a day every day during the week while i take classes. most are in the pm when he usually nurses the most so i am full! to busting by tome i get back to him, but when i try to pump or get the time to do so i bearly get anything. advice anyone? TIA

[peilover010202]

Sounds like you are having problems letting down for the pump.

First, DON'T look at how much you are getting (really, it will help! )

Next, when you turn the pump on, think about your ds. Think about him laughing, smiling, nursing, etc. Relax when you do this. Take big deep breaths in and OUT.

Imagine a flood of milk washing over you.

After you let down, do something else to occupy your mind. Read a book, watch TV , make a grocery list. Anything BUT watching the milk flow.

Another thing that could be helpful is to pump on one side and nurse on the other. You can benefit from your ds getting a let-down for you. GL mama!

[mistymeltzer]

my milk supply is always higher in the morning. can you make time to pump in the morning? when i was pumping i would nurse dd on one side, and then pump on the other. drinking LOTS of water and nursing tea always helped me too. i know you can make this work mama! dont give up....

[FiveLittleDucks]

I second the deep breathing bit. I learned this from a wise mama here at MDC and it really helps my output. Relaxing and even looking at a pic of your baby may help. Good luck, Mama.

[Mama Meesh]

I had pumping down to a science - here's my best advice:

the key to getting a good pump yield is getting a letdown....letdown is all about classic conditioning.....when you are home, nursing your baby, think positive, pleasant thoughts about being at work, setting up your pump, turning it on, etc.....your brain will condition itself to connect pumping with a letdown (even with your baby not being there) (it's the same conditioning that works to hear, smell, look at your baby and get a letdown).

Have a few photos of your baby in your pump bag. For times when I was struggling, I kept a photo of my baby, latched on to my breast, taken from my view (as though I was looking down at her) - this helped tremendously. Bring an item of clothing that smells like your baby. If need be, tape record your baby crying and play it when you pump. Think lots of happy baby thoughts!

Close your eyes, relax, breathe, imagine that milk just flowing out.....

Massage the outer portion of the breast (over the milk glands) while pumping to help get things going (or fully emptied). You can also gently tilt the flanges of the pump (almost like changing a nursing hold) side-to-side, up-or-down to focus on different areas of the breasts and fully empty your breasts.

Stay warm as you pump. Nothing harder to do than pump when you're cold.

Be sure the room is secure (door locked, "do not disturb" sign up, no worries about someone knocking or walking in to break your relaxation)

Don't be in a rush. If you can relax and keep on pumping, you might be able to get a second letdown (along with some nice hindmilk!) for your yield.

Good luck!

[rikiamber]

I pump at home, its for a few hours of day care that ds goes to every day while I am in class. I did one between both boobs get 6 oz. I was so proud of my self. But that was several months ago and well its gone now cause I was trying to get dh to feed ds and give me some time to myself and them some time together but it just got wasted and I feel horrible about it. I try to pump while ds is nursing on one side or while he's playing or sleeping. Its after letdown hits I am done. I wonder if thats how it just is with me. DS is a snacker, he hardly nurses for a long time during the day. i take him to day care early so i can nurse him and spend time with him before I leave and I try to hang out at the day care on off days (its my friends house) so he can spend time with her while I am there too. he's clingy and people are razzing me about my parenting style but thats for another forum.

How can you tell if your milk has gone bad? I know that you can leave it out at room temp for 10hrs and in the fridge for 8 day and 6 mo in the freezer as per the LLL web site. Maybe I am not reading it right. is the 10 hrs before its first refridgeration?

[BakerALM]

Originally Posted by rikiamber

How can you tell if your milk has gone bad? I know that you can leave it out at room temp for 10hrs and in the fridge for 8 day and 6 mo in the freezer as per the LLL web site. Maybe I am not reading it right. is the 10 hrs before its first refridgeration?

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t026900.asp

I use the chart at the bottom of the page when I have any questions about storage, it is reasonably complete even and even has temperature ranges included.

[_betsy_]

I second the recommendation to have some photos of baby available while pumping. I got a little 99 cent "brag book" size plastic album and filled it with baby photos and that really helped, especially in the beginning.

Think baby. Think milk. DON'T worry about how much you need to get at this session to feed baby. Don't pump just after feeding baby or while baby is ariound if you can help it - I find if baby is awake and around, I worry she'll need to nurse and then I can barely pump anything.

Also keep in mind that the first couple weeks are hell. Not sure how long you've been at this schedule, but if you just changed routines, it can be hard to pump - especially if you're tires, have new stresses, etc. Know that it'll get easier with time.