Mother's who nurse?

Question

If you work 8 hours a day or more and are nursing and pumping... How often and how much are you having to pump at work if you are there for 8 hours or more?

Thanks.

Would you also mind to share how old your baby is and how often you nurse him/her ?

Thanks ladies.

Answer 1

I breastfed after going back to work, and I pumped 3 times a day. I would wake up, feed the baby around 6:00 AM, and be gone for my 45 minute commute by 6:40 AM. I got home with my baby from daycare by 5:15 PM and nursed first thing...that's a little more than 10 1/2 hours away from the baby. I did this for 14 months. For the first few months, after I would nurse my baby in the morning, I would pump a few ounces for my husband to give the baby around 8:00 AM right before she went to daycare, but she was soon old enough that she didn't need that extra feeding and was waiting until around 9:00 and eating at daycare what I had pumped at work. We settled into a great routine where she only wanted about 3 bottles of my pumped milk while I was gone, and I was pumping 3 times while at work. So, she ate at 6:00 AM (from the breast), 9:00ish AM, 12:00ish PM, 3:00ish PM, and 5:30 PM (from the breast).

If you decide to pump keep in mind that the pump is less efficient at getting all the milk than the baby is so the longer you do it the more your supply will drop...especially if you are limited to your 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch the way I was. Eventually (around 8 months), I wasn't pumping enough at each sitting to fill a whole bottle so we would top off what I had pumped the day before with however many ounces of formula was needed to have a big enough bottle.
Also, if you continue to breastfeed after you go back to work I recommend continuing to use the bottle nipples that are for newborns...the ones with only one hole in it. It takes more effort to get the milk out just like the breast. Most people who use bottles eventually switch to nipples with more holes as the baby ages...making it easier to get more out faster...this could lead to the baby prefering the bottle over the breast just becasue of the ease of the faster flowing bottle. I used the one hole nipples until we stopped using bottles (at a year) and she never seemed dissatisfied with the speed of the flow of my milk.
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

When I went back to work, my son was 8 months old and still nursing. I kept with his feeding schedule to know when to pump at work. If he nursed every 2 hours, I pumped every 2 hours. If he nursed every 3 hours, I pumped every 3 hours. I had enough milk to last him throughout the day while I was gone, and I still nursed him regularly while I was at home.

The key to keeping a healthy milk supply is to pump at the same times (rougly) that you normally would have nursed him at home.

Answer 3

I was told not to pump, unless engorged..Your baby will help you to regulate how much milk you produce, as to how often, and how much they nurse..My daughter is a "snacker" she will nurse for 15 min, and go to sleep, no matter what I do, wipe her with a cool cloth, strip her down to her diaper, she gets too cozy I guess.But there are at least 6 times a day she will nurse for about 30 minutes..So it seems like I am CONSTANTLY nursing her, but i am going to do what is best for her!
If you choose to pump while at work, i would say to pump every 2 hours, to keep your supply..But you need to remember a babys' stomach is not that big, so i would pump and get at least 2-3 ounces out of each breast...Do what your body tells you, you will be able to tell!

Answer 4

The more you pump throughout the day the greater the chances are that your milk sacks will not decrease their production.
Since you are at work I would reccommend either every 3 to 3 1/2 hrs. Right after lunch and maybe an hour before you leave for the day. Just remember to try to keep to a schedule.
If you have any other concerns your best bet would to discuss your concern with your OB/GYN or a representative at the hospital. For new Mothers hospitals today offer free consultations even phone numbers for assistance.

Answer 5

I have a 5 month old and I breastfeed at home and he gets formula at daycare. In the 8 hours apart... :( ...I never pump, so my supply went down a little, but he still has enough. I prepared my body by stopping one feeding for a week, and then stopping all feedings in the hours I would be at work for a week before I worked. I started pumping before work to get my supply up, and I take fenugreek. It seems to be increasng. I use the little bit of pumped milk i get to add to the formula bottles. He has never had nipple confusion. The whole system works seamlessly for us. hollypacheco@yahoo if you need help or have questions.

Answer 6

I pump once (on both sides at once) for every 4 hours I'm at work. I figure, that works out to one side every 2 hours?

My babe is nearly a year now, and that's been my regimen since she was 4 months. I don't know how often I nurse her, though, as I nurse on demand. She was a late starter with solids, so she's still nursing ALOT though.

Answer 7

I don't but my wife did... pump as often as you can find time for because the amount you produce varies depending on how often you pump or feed... if it is too much you can always pour out the excess...

as for what age, I've heard that any nursing at all even if only for the first few weeks is a benefit to the child...

Answer 8

When I was nursing, I began pumping twice a day. But, then, my milk supply began to decrease so I had to up it to every two hours at the recommendation of the lactation specialist at the hospital.

Answer 9

Depends on how often your baby feeds.

You should try to pump sticking as close to the routine that you have set up with the baby. If you continue that same rhythm while you're at work then you will continue to produce enough milk for the baby, and you will continue to "re-supply" as often as the baby would need it.

Answer 10

My son is 16weeks - He has all his milk expressed into bottles - I express 500mls first thing. 250mls @ lunch. and 250mls @ night. This makes up 4 bottles of 250mls each. If he wants a 5th bottle (which he generally does) I supplement with formula (sma gold). Hope that helps. I've always expressed - so my body has got into a routine - it might take a while to get use to - but perservere. I know a lot of mums that nurse in the morning and evening and supplement with formula during the day. But, if you have an understanding boss - go with expressing - it's great to see them thrive on Mummy's milk ;o)