how do i feed my baby at the breast and start to pump to store milk?

Rebecca - posted on 01/10/2009

breastfeeding is all about suply and demand - if your feeding and pumping, your going to have a lot of milk. Don't worry about not pumping enough at first, start out by pumping after you fed him - you'll  only be pumping a little milk each time, but keep doing that. Store all this milk together, pumped milk is good in the frigde for @ least 3 days. So, pump untill you have a few oz, then freez it. you'll start to build up a suply. The best time to pump and get the most is your first feeding of the day. Stick w/ it, and pump right after feeding him. make sure your drinking lots of h2o and mothers milk tea! hope this helps

Kerry - posted on 01/10/2009

i felt comfortable pumping about 1 hour after my baby's last feed, so I felt like he's not missing out and I got more milk but I believe they say your boobs never run out and a baby is much better at removing milk than a pump, so he'll always get what he needs. plus the more you pump and feed the more milk you'll produce so it will probably only take a day or two to produce more milk to pump.

Heather - posted on 01/09/2009

thanks so much for ur help.  i will def try your sugestions

Amy - posted on 01/08/2009

I dont know how often the baby is feeding but if there is 3-4 hours inbetween feeding then pump right after feeding and then 2 hours later you will have enough for baby I promise it will also increase your supply that is what I was told to do and make sure you pump if baby sleeps past normal feeding time if baby sleeps longer at night pump before bed and if you can get up if baby is sleeping most of the night that is a nother chance to pump If I woke up and baby didnt want to feed I pumped anyways I was always pumping but if you have the time do it you will increase milk in breast and have enough in freezer to go back to work remember dont worry about baby baby will get milk even if pump doesnt good luck

Emily - posted on 01/08/2009

I would agree, start pumping once he's finished eating.  Emptying your breast that extra bit will increase your supply and you'll start to get more from each pump.  I often get 3+ ounces. 

Paula - posted on 01/08/2009

pump right after feeding him.  your milk will still be flowing. 

Kandi - posted on 01/08/2009

Your breasts are not like bottles- they always have milk. If you pump an dyour son is hungry after, just nurse. Your body will call up more milk- I promise. (nursed 2 thus far).

Pump on one side and nurse on the other. It is called "tandem pumping" and it is one way that I got enough milk saved for when I went back to work when our daughter was born. Also, I pumped in the morning after I settled her down and again after her longest nap (tandem). Tandem pumping hastens your let-down- because baby is best at drawing out milk.We never used formula for our daughter and will not allow it for this baby either though I work full-time.

Good luck to you!

Marissa - posted on 01/08/2009

When I pump I like to pump after she eats and for about 5 minutes at a time. I have found that is usually enough to empty me and then I make sure that I really hydrate myself before the next feeding.

User - posted on 01/08/2009

You can start by pumping after he's done eating, or if you're willing to supplement with formula, you can always substitute one feeding with formula. I recommend pumping after each feeding for a while. It will stimulate ore milk production (but you're only going to get about an ounce or so when you pump)