Anyone wanna give me some tips on pumping?

Question

How do you get out enough milk to nurse your baby and make a 4 or 6 oz bottle?

Answer 1

First of all, most women who pump need to pump about 3 times to get enough milk for 2 feedings. So, the first thing to try is to pump more often.

But when and how you pump makes a *huge* difference. Most women find that they pump the most milk most easily if they pump every day around the same time of day before the baby's first feeding. There will be plenty of milk for baby--it is produced constantly, and even faster when the breast is emptiest and when baby is nursing. (Occasionally, a baby will be unhappy nursing when the breast is relatively empty. *If* this happens to you, then the next time, pump on one breast and only about halfway on the second. Offer the less-pumped breast first, and baby will be happy.) Pumping on one breast while baby nurses on the other one also can help you pump more milk.

You may need a more effective pump. The most effective type of pump is a hospital-grade rental pump that allows you to pump both breasts at the same time. (Double pumping will save you about half the time, but it will also get you *more* milk.) A battery pump is less effective, and a manual pump the least effective of all. If you are only pumping occasionally, a manual pump may be fine for your needs, but you may need to pump more often or longer in order to have enough milk. Even with a battery or manual pump, double pumping is more effective than single pumping; if you don't have that option with your pump, you could try buying two of them (assuming the pump you are using can be operated with one hand).

For most women, thinking about their babies will also help them pump more milk. Sit next to your sleeping baby while pumping if possible so that you can see, hear, and even smell her/him. If you are away from baby, then you can bring along a photo or recording instead. Or bring a pair of worn (but not laundered) pajamas, and drape them over your shoulder so that you can small her/him. Strangely, some women find that thinking about something *other* than the baby works better for them. If the above isn't helping, try doing something totally different--read a book, write e-mails, etc.

Answer 2

Are you just wanting to pump to have an occasional bottle?

Adding some pumping sessions in order to have a pumped supply is just like the baby asking for more nursing sessions during a growth spurt. Milk is made on demand whenever you pump or nurse, so pumping shouldn't be taking milk away from your baby.

What kind of pump are you using? A double sided electric like the Medela Pump In Style is the best. You might want to pump right after nursing or first thing in the morning. Those are the times you are most likely to get the most milk.

Answer 3

Pumping on one side while your infant nurses on the other is a good way to pump because your let-down reflex is working for you... It may be difficult to pump as much as 4-6 oz. at one feeding.
If you are trying to accumulate milk to go back to work (or otherwise leave your baby for an extended period) pump during or after feedings and freeze your milk.
If you are just trying to get enough to have an extra bottle around, be careful because pumping will increase your milk supply. And if you suddenly drop off in pumping, it could cause clogged ducts, etc.
A good book for pumping advice: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, put out by the La Leche League. www.lalecheleague.org

Answer 4

I pump after my baby is done nursing. That way my milk is already flowing and it doesn't take as much time or effort. At first I'd only get 2-3 oz but in no time I started to get 4-6.

Answer 5

I had to pump my breast after i had both of my babies and the only way that i was able to get enough breast milk for them was to pump every 2 hours exactly day and night what worked for me too was drinking warm milk or hot chocolate anything that is milk based. It can be challenging but the rewards are worth it.

Answer 6

Ya know what I hated breast feeding so I pumped until like 2 weeks ago and I always had enough to fill him. You just have to relax, drink plenty of water and try to pump when yolur baby is playing or when they are asleep so you dont get stressed if they start to cry. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Make sure you add a pumping session everyday so your breasts will start producing enough milk for bottles. I used to use very hot wet washcloths on my breasts to get the milk flowing for the pump.

Answer 8

-massage breast
-when you take a shower put warm/hot water on your breasts
-pump relaxed... not rushing
-Reglan... an over the counter prescription stimulates your milk production
-pump/nurse every 2 hours

Answer 9

Make sure that you stimulate your breasts by messageing them on a regular basis. Ps make sure your husband isnt around because it will stimulate him too. this will make your breasts produce more milk and pump them often to get your production up.

Answer 10

Pump Pump and Pump till you cant Pump no more!