Question about pumping

[shawnabm1320]

Hi breastfeeding gurus! I am EBFing my 6 month old baby girl. I'm a SAHM, so I don't have to pump much right now, but I do occasionally go out, so she takes a bottle at that time. I remember that when my son got to be close to a year I could not pump much at all, so I was hoping to get a little freezer stash established so that it doesn't take me days and days to get her a bottle when she's close to a year. I've been pumping about an hour after she goes to bed for the last few days and not getting much. I know my supply is lower at night, so is it crazy to pump then every day? Will my body start making more if I keep asking it for milk then? Or should I pick a different time of day when it's easier to get the milks?

Thanks so much!

[gimmesugar]

I think it's a matter of preference since you're just pumping for a small stash. Technically, yes, you would probably get more output with an early morning session, but would that be a huge burden?

When you BF full time, it's normal to have very little output when pumping between feedings. Emptying your breasts and stimulating them with pumping will signal to your body that you need to make more milk, but it might take a couple of weeks.

I wanted to build a "just in case" freezer stash before going back to work, so I pumped during DS's first nap and before I went to bed. I am not a morning person at ALL so I knew a morning pump session would be a fail.

[shawnabm1320]

Thank you, gimmesugar! I was thinking it would be easier to do before bed because sometimes we need to leave right after breakfast and I don't want to have to try to add pumping to the things I need to do to get out the door. Or end up with engorged boobs if I can't do it one morning. I appreciate your insight!

[vvvvvfee]

honestly, i wouldn't be aiming to store up too much milk now that your LO can have solids while you're away. i'd pump in the mornings for a short while-- just until you can get enough frozen for 1 or 2 bottles. if you're away from LO for longer than a couple of hours, you would have to pump while you're away, anyway-- then you could put that in the freezer for next time. if you're only away for a few hours, LO can have solids and you can nurse when you get back.

[lily]

As a SAHM I found it easier to nurse one side in the morning and then do a quick manual pump afterward on the other side. No set up or being stuck in one spot for 20 minutes like a double electric. Doing it immediately after nursing meant that my nursling had basically done the letdown part for me, which was important because I rarely let down for any pump.