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Pumping milk while at work - frequency vs volume?

Kelly - posted on 08/01/2009 ( 1 mom has responded )

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Hi all -

Question:
If I only pump twice at work, but get the same volume for as I would for 3 pumps, will my milk supply decrease?

Details:
I'm a working mom and my son is only having breast milk at this time. He's currently drinking about four 2.5-3.5oz bottles while I'm away, but my number of hours away will increase to 1 more feeding shortly. He's 3.5 months old, and we plan to introduce solids at about 6 months, and wean about 1 year. I will be spending about 10 hours away from him on the days I do work (currently at 7.5 hours).
I know someone who breast feeds once a day, and pumps just twice a day, and the baby is kept completely fed on those amounts. I don't know if her supply will decrease, or if this is normal if you're not trying to increase supply [that is emptying the breasts is sufficient rather than the frequency.]

Thanks for any advice.

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1 Comment

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Kristylyn - posted on 08/02/2009

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I am a working mom, and exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months. My daughter just turned one and I just weaned her off of breastfeeding. I found that it is best to pump whenever the baby is eating, or as close to that time as you can. If your work doesn't allow you that many breaks (although it should!!!), then I would pump as much as you can. I found pumping to be very stressful (as well as being away from baby for that long every day), and it is harder to get milk flowing if you are stressed. So, I recommend pumping more than enough so that you always have a backup supply. If you pump on a regular schedule, and as close to actual feeding times as you can, your supply will keep up. If you are only pumping twice during the day, how long are your sessions? If you can do 2 longer sessions, as opposed to 3 shorter ones, then your supply should maintain. Just make it a routine, and you will be fine. HTH

Kristylyn

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