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Post by gimmesugar on Jun 12, 2017 11:27:55 GMT -6
Hi ladies,
DS is 5 weeks old, and BFing has been going well. I planned starting to pump and introduce a bottle sometime between 6 and 8 weeks, and the pediatrician gave me the all clear to do so. However, because things are going well, I'm afraid to screw everything up. So, how do I even get started? My husband has gone back to work, so I don't think he'll take any night feedings during the week, but he might on the weekend. So, let's say I pump in the morning one day when my supply is at its best, and then he decides to take the 1AM (ish) feeding on a weekend. Wouldn't I have to get up anyway to pump for that feeding so that I don't mess up my supply? The logistics are a bit overwhelming for me. I don't go back to work until September, but I'd like to have a system down by then.
TIA!
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vvvvvfee
Platinum
Posts: 1,954 Likes: 4,605 
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Post by vvvvvfee on Jun 12, 2017 11:56:14 GMT -6
the easiest thing IMO is to pump sometime in the morning. you can either pump one side while LO nurses the other, or just pump in between feedings. supply is highest in the morning. yes, when LO is this young, if you skip a feeding overnight, you would probably still have to get up to pump, so i don't much see the point of that.  you might be able to make it work if, say, your LO got up extra early on a weekend morning- then your H could give a small bottle to tide your LO over so you could sleep in for another hour or so, and then when you got up for the day you could then nurse. IME, the easiest way for Lo to "practice" is to just leave the house for an hour or two (if possible) and have your H give your DS a small bottle (1 oz) to practice. ideally you want your LO to be a bit hungry but not starving, so that he doesn't get frustrated. so if you pump a few mornings a week, you can have your H practice giving the bottle once or twice a week and then freeze the rest. it is normal to only get about 1 oz or so at a time when you are adding in a pump but not missing any feedings. so don't be discouraged! you really only need to have enough milk for your first day back at work (aim for about 12-15 oz), and then obviously you can just send what you pumped the previous day. |
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Post by billyhorrible on Jun 12, 2017 12:01:51 GMT -6
Everything vvvvvfee, said, with one quick caveat. You may not get an ounce the first time you pump. And that's okay. It may take a couple pump sessions to make that first bottle. What we did with both boys was have DH do the last feeding of the day. He already did bedtime, so instead of me coming in to nurse, he would give a bottle before putting the baby to bed. That gave me a little time to go for a run/go to the gym/have some non-mom time every day. Which is really nice when you're home with a baby all day. And it was really nice for DH to be able to have that special time with the boys since he didn't get to see them during the day. Then I would pump to make up that session, either when I got home or before bed. (You'll know your child's schedule best as to when s/he'll wake for the next feed and you can plan accordingly). Because that session was making up for a feeding, I would usually get enough for the next night's bottle, and a little extra that I froze. |
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Post by gimmesugar on Jun 12, 2017 13:22:11 GMT -6
vvvvvfee, billyhorrible, Thank you! Both of your suggestions make sense. I agree about not seeing the point of having DH do a night feeding if I'll have to pump anyway. I doubt one night would kill my supply, but I'd be in a lot of pain soon thereafter anyway.
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yummeecookee
Sapphire
Maker of November Babies
Posts: 3,133 Likes: 19,748
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Post by yummeecookee on Jun 12, 2017 13:41:17 GMT -6
I did a morning pump - just once a week - after my DS was about 5 months. I used to leave the house to take my DD to a gymnastics class, so MH would feed the baby the pumped BM while I was away.
It was a good start for us as I only pumped once a week and he only had a bottle once a week.
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Post by gimmesugar on Jun 12, 2017 16:33:58 GMT -6
I did a morning pump - just once a week - after my DS was about 5 months. I used to leave the house to take my DD to a gymnastics class, so MH would feed the baby the pumped BM while I was away. It was a good start for us as I only pumped once a week and he only had a bottle once a week. Good idea! Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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you might be able to make it work if, say, your LO got up extra early on a weekend morning- then your H could give a small bottle to tide your LO over so you could sleep in for another hour or so, and then when you got up for the day you could then nurse. 
