[Nautical]

My LO is 3 weeks old, and starting in 6 weeks I have to be away from her two evenings a week. When should I start pumping?

 

[brandyk]

Baby is arriving any day now, and I would like to get advice on this issue as well. Strategies that have helped others (including when to introduce the bottle to not be too early - but so baby will still accept it). I have to be away from baby for 2 days while interviewing for my next job (and possibly several times over the course of a month or two). Let's leave any judgment of us being away from our newborns at night. Trust us, we don't like it at all, but it's not negotiable.

The first time I'll be away is when she's 6 weeks old (assuming she comes by the end of the week).

 

[Siera]

If nursing seems to be ok so far, I would suggest pumping after baby eats in the morning and begin storing that. Also, you could try pumping one side while baby nurses on the other. I'd be careful to overdo it, however. Your milk supply is just now being established -- you don't want to pump too often throughout the day in addition to your baby nursing throughout the day where you either 1.) increase your supply so drastically that once you are away from baby you find yourself engorged and in pain and 2.) you pump too much where baby might feel frustrating nursing if he/she is having to work pretty hard to get another let down (in case he/she begins to get hungry again right after nursing, which is fairly common). Be prepared to possibly have difficulties getting a large amount -- pumps are different than a baby and some women react differently to them (in terms of amount pumped). Good luck!

 

[Baby_Cakes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautical My LO is 3 weeks old, and starting in 6 weeks I have to be away from her two evenings a week. When should I start pumping?

I'd offer the bottle when she is around 5-6 weeks old, so maybe next week? Pump after her morning feeding, you will get "the most" then. If you want her to have the bottle the same day, just put the milk in the fridge. If you want to save it for when you're gone, put it in the freezer. It'll be good for up to 3 months or so. Kellymom.com has a good chart for storage info as well as info for pumping!

Good luck and congrats on your baby girl!