SOS: When do I pump?

[penguin129]

I need help from experienced BFing moms. We were cleared to supplement with pumped milk every other feeding and wean to no bottles of pumped milk or just 1 or 2 if I want my husband to feed her. What do I do when I feel really full and she isn't waking up to eat? Do I still pump? If so for how long. I don't want to make an oversupply, but I don't want to be engorged etc either. Thanks

ETA- I stay at home with the girls and am trying to find the balance between what they had me do in the NICU and what to do here at home.

[emmyg65]

If you're super uncomfortable, you can hand express or pump just till you're comfortable again. It'll sort itself out soon. I typically found my body took about 3 days to respond to changes in demand.

[westiemom]

I hand expressed to relieve engorgement and let my body sort it out. However, I always pumped once in the AM after I fed DD for extra bottles in case I needed to go somewhere or wanted them to make purees later. I SAH so I don't delve in to them often. I still pump once a day because I like knowing I'm totally empty! I pump for about 10-15 mins.

[hikingmama222]

Nov 12, 2016 9:26:08 GMT -5 westiemom said:

I hand expressed to relieve engorgement and let my body sort it out. However, I always pumped once in the AM after I fed DD for extra bottles in case I needed to go somewhere or wanted them to make purees later. I SAH so I don't delve in to them often. I still pump once a day because I like knowing I'm totally empty! I pump for about 10-15 mins.

Can I ask how much you are getting when you pump in the morning? I've started pumping for the same reasons you are and I'm only getting 1.5-2 oz's.

[melody330]

Nov 12, 2016 9:59:10 GMT -5 hikingmama222 said:

Nov 12, 2016 9:26:08 GMT -5 westiemom said:

I hand expressed to relieve engorgement and let my body sort it out. However, I always pumped once in the AM after I fed DD for extra bottles in case I needed to go somewhere or wanted them to make purees later. I SAH so I don't delve in to them often. I still pump once a day because I like knowing I'm totally empty! I pump for about 10-15 mins.

Can I ask how much you are getting when you pump in the morning? I've started pumping for the same reasons you are and I'm only getting 1.5-2 oz's.

1.5-2oz in the morning in addition to nursing is awesome.

You can do compressions while pumping to get some more, or nurse baby on one side while pumping the other. That always yields more for me.

[emmyg65]

Average pumping when you're doing it instead of nursing is 2-4 oz, so 1.5-2 oz is just right.

[hikingmama222]

Thanks! (Sorry for high jacking penguin129)

[penguin129]

Nov 12, 2016 23:25:00 GMT -5 hikingmama222 said:

Thanks! (Sorry for high jacking penguin129)

That's fine. The answers helped me too