Building a stash - for those returning to work

[greenmom4]

If you're returning to work, when/how are you planning to build up a bm stash? I don't want to wreck my supply right now, but at the same time, it seems a shame to not take advantage of the plentiful milk I currently have. The last time I went back to work my supply tanked, big time and I never recovered. I really, really don't want that to happen this time..

TIA!

[annekka]

With DS I would pump after feedings and store the milk in the freezer. It wasn't even so much to build a back-to-work stockpile but to give me some engorgement relief. Starting about 5-6 days PP I had crazy milk, like two bowling balls strapped to my chest and so I thought why not pump off the extra to be more comfortable. I didn't really realize that I was actually encouraging a lot of extra production but it turned out to be a good thing. I could get about 4-6 oz after a full feeding for the first 3 weeks or so, and when I started back to work at 9 weeks PP I had 80 oz in the freezer waiting to go. It REALLY helped when the inevitable supply shock hit during stressful work days, so I would highly recommend pumping after feedings to build up a reserve. I plan on doing the same thing this time provided the milk is plentiful early on again.

Still you have to pump regular at work to keep up supply but it was nice to be able to mix in some frozen milk when I couldn't pump enough, this was a big problem around 8-9 months. I would be sure to rotate out the frozen milk before it goes bad, 3 months or so and then replace it with the fresh milk when there was extra. Because of the stash we never needed to give him any formula just mom's good stuff

[~Megan~]

Some pumping tips:

Pump in the morning as its when your supply is most plentiful.
Pump one side while nursing on the other.
Eat oatmeal to increase your milk supply.

And a couple of links from La Leche League.

[alicia9178]

I pumped a lot in the beginning so I have about 60ish ounces in the freezer now...however I am going to start this week once a day pumping and putting it in the freezer. I could go back to work as soon as the end of September or so...depending on when I get a job, so I want to make sure we have a wealthy stash to start with.
Alicia

[Megan_Cherry]

I think I will be starting this project sometime this week. I expect to return to work p/t at the end of October.