how do i properly pump breast milk?

Question

i am pumping my breast milk for my 1 week old baby, sometimes i feel like i am doing it right and sometimes i dont, how do i know if i am doing it right. i am getting about 2 ounces every pump, after my let down and the milk stops coming out should i still be pumping? i am so confused?

Answer 1

Except under very unusual circumstances (you're not planning on nursing ever, or your baby is hospitalized and you can't be there, for instance), it's *not* a good idea to pump for a one week old baby...

That said... How long are you pumping? What pump are you using? Generally speaking, it is best to pump until no more milk is coming out and then continue another 5 minutes. This will encourage increased milk production. It is particularly important if you are exclusively pumping and will be for the foreseeable future. If you are pumping just for extra milk, it doesn't matter so much.

If you *are* exclusively pumping, you need to pump at least 10-12 times a day, and preferably even more often than that. (Babies need to nurse at least 10-12 times a day, and pumping is less effective than nursing.) But 2 ounces per pumping is really good at the beginning!! So obviously, you're doing it right. (My suggestions are more geared to making sure you will *still* have enough milk in the future.)

In addition, if you will be exclusively pumping (or even just pumping for many feedings a day) for some time, I would suggest you get at least 2 *different* effective pumps. Many women (perhaps most) find that when baby is somewhere between 3 and 5 months old, they suddenly pump less. Switching to a different pump often helps--if it's a good pump that works well for that particular woman.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

I am a Labor & Delivery Nurse in Dallas. At first, you're only going to get about two ounces from each breast. Don't let this get you down cause it takes time. Later, you should be pumping about 4-6 from each side, depending on your diet and the amount of rest you get. Beware, stress will decrease milk production. Good Luck

Answer 3

the more you pump the more your body will produce. if you plan on continuing with the pumping for bottles, keep pumping. your milk probably hasn't come in all the way yet. when it does you will know it!! don't pump too much or your body will produce more and more. then you will have to go through some pains to level out your supply. you will have to 'train' your breasts to produce as much as you will need for pumping and for baby. it takes time but you will get the hang of it. yea for breastfeeding! your baby will thank you! don't worry, you will get it down so quickly and baby will too! congrats! good luck!

Answer 4

You can categorical milk along with your palms now not you are not able to categorical adequate milk along with your palms to feed a child! If you wish to supply child milk w/o honestly utilising the breasts you have to pump and in case you count on to do it any lengthy period of time you ought to purchase a well double electrical pump. If you're concerned approximately what breastfeeding will do for your breasts then you should not pump both b/c the outcome would be the identical.

Answer 5

yea and you're probably going to want to pump an additional 5 minutes every time, even if nothing comes out, it will stimulate more to come eventually because 2 ounces isn't going to be enough for your baby. It's frusturating, and sometimes painful, and always a pain in the butt but you just gotta hang in there!

Answer 6

As long as the milk is coming out, you are doing fine. The milk comes in starts and stops. So you will have a let down and then nothing and then another let down and then nothing and so on. That is normal.