How Does A Breast Pump Work???

Question

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and I work 40+ hours a week. I will be taking off 6 weeks when my little girl is born, but after that I need to go straight back to my workaholic job. How do I go about breast feeding and still working? Do I have to pump, then go back home? How much milk will I get and how long does it take? How does it all work? Which pump is the best? Someone help.....as you can see I'm a first time mommy....

My job is extremely important to me and so is my baby. I am the head of household and without my workaholic job (75k a yr) I wouldn't have a roof over the my soon-to-be daughter's head....

Answer 1

There is a lot of info on websites but I imagine you want some practical advice. I am pumping and working right now 6 wks after delivery. IMHO:

(1)I don't agree what people say about "stay home". Everyone has a different situation. Job is also important. If you are interested in breast feeding when you have to return to work kudos to you. You can bond with the baby when you come home. There's no need to feel guilty about working.

(2)I plan to breast feed 6 mos, and I can tell you it requires dedication, but no lecture here (I am a pediatrician). You will need a good pump. Really, just forget the manual pumps. NOT UP TO THE JOB. Electric dual pumps are necessary. You can rent one if you are not sure about buying one (~$200 depending on which brand and model). Rental is about $2/day--inquire the nursery of your delivering hospital. I was so lucky my friend gave me her old pump (Medela Pump In Style, the "gold standard"), and it works great. The rental ones are also good but heavier I think, not as portable. My pump is NOT cumbersome or even heavy. I do NOT clean it each time (kind of lazy, but I rinse @ end of day, and just RINSING).

(3) The pump cuts the time in half since you pump both sides at the same time. It only takes about 5 minutes for me to pump, but everyone is different of course. As your baby grows older you will get more milk. Right now I can get about 5-6 ounces (total of both sides) every 4 hrs, that's about how much the baby eats. Your body will adjust, and you don't have to pump every 2 hrs. With my first baby I remember getting 6-8 oz from one side, it's a lot but that's when he was older, about 3 months.

(4)The pump is in a sleek bag with a built-in cooler. You can store milk in there then take home after work. Very simple.

I don't know if you will read this so I will not be too wordy. Feel free to ask more. Breast feeding is a great experience; I think you will enjoy it.

Answer 2

The breast pump works just like the sucking action your baby will have, fits round your breast and you either switch it on (if you use an electric one) or your push the handle up and down (if you use a hand held one). I used the Avent Hand Held pump and it was great, you can get all the pre-sterilised bags for them and everything you need. You would express and put it in the fridge maybe the night before or freeze it and then leave it with whoever was looking after the baby. We are all different with regards to how much, I could hit the roof with my milk (sounds funny but true!!) so it's just trial and error, you will have a time of day that suits you best aswell. Just have to try it out. Don't fret about it but it does work quite well it's just being organised. Good luck.

Answer 3

Working & pumping is a very iffy thing. It works for some others, while it doesn't for someone else. I had to start exclusively pumping after about 2 weeks of my child losing weight. in other words, she wasn't latching good at all.

Anyway, working moms usually have to pump every 2-3 hours to keep up their supply. Your milk supply will be determined by how dedicated you are to breastfeeding for the first 6 weeks. every mother has a different amount of breastmilk that comes out. Some have 10 ounces within 20 minutes, while others only have about 3-4.

Your baby's latch will be the strongest suction & will be the best get every bit out, so your boobs know they need to make more. some pumps don't get every single ounce out. so you've got to stick to it 100%!

I bought a medela pump & have been using it successfully for 4 months now. it was a big challenge in the beginning, but it working out great now!

you'll need to ask your manager/boss that they allow you a few 15-20 minute breaks so you can pump your milk. some managers frown upon this.

EDIT: Email me if you need/want any help, I am not exactly being too thorough about the subject right now...but I've read up LOTS on it.

Answer 4

To keep producing milk you should pump every 2 hours like if you where breastfeeding your baby.

If you can not pump as often and the production gets low, talk to the baby's doctor about mixing breast milk and formula.

Some working moms I know feed the baby with formula during the day and breasfeed when they get home. (my baby's doctor is one of them)

My baby never wanted to breast feed, but I did use a pump. My best advice is, get an electric one with double pumps. It takes longer with the manual ones.

I bought the Medela Pump N' Style one. Price is around $300. It simulates the baby's sucking. Its ideal for working moms because of its design. It comes with 6 bottles and a cooler to keep the milk in the refrigerator while you are at work. To pump, simply but the pump on your breasts and choose the speed that is more comfortable for you.

Hope this helps !
Congrats on your baby!

Answer 5

Basically... you put the guard on your breast with bottles or cups of whatever you choose to lose at the bottom. Turn it on and it suctions the milk out. When I was in the hospital and they gave me my diaper bag. It had the case for bottles and 2 icepacks. you can easily store it in there. You want to keep it cold. Medela pumps are best. expensive but best. It all depends on what you want. Make sure you get an electric pump. No one wants to manually pump they're breast. It's a waste of unneccessary time. I'm not trying to knock your wishes to breast feed. Honestly though. It will be hard extremely hard. Especially working 40 plus hours a week. I couldn't breastfeed it took too long. I was more content with formula. It's easier. I'm glad you've made your choice to breastfeed. Succeed where I couldn't! Good Luck

Answer 6

first, buy a good, electric breast pump that lets you do both breasts at the same time, comes in a portable pack and has an insulated cooler section to store the milk. you can pump at work and store the milk if you take an ice pack along. it takes about 10 min. to pump this way once you get the hang of it...you can practice during maternity leave. once you get home you can freeze or store the milk-make sure you date it.

if you are able to make arrangements to breast feed your baby at your lunchtime, you may want to do so, especially while she's very small, as she will need to nurse every couple hours or so at first.

please ask your doctor to give you contact info for a lactation consultant and/or La Leche League, for much more helpful info. I stand and applaud your desire and determination to make the effort to so nurture your baby.

best wishes, and congratulations!
cryllie

Answer 7

You already have some good answers, so I won't repeat what they have said. Buy or rent a really good quality pump, and things will be much easier and less frustrating. Medela Pump in Style Advanced worked for me. They also sell bra things that allow you to attach the funnels right to the bra for a hands-free pumping experience--ideal if you want to eat lunch or play on Yahoo Answers or whatever to pass the time while you pump. Before you buy, see if your insurance company will pay for a pump. You might need a lactation consultant to write you a prescription, but it will save you a pile of money. Good luck! Congrats!

Answer 8

You will need a GOOD brest pump to take out the milk if you are the kind of person that will get really full. Also you might want to buy breast pads because some women have so much milk it leaks. So be prepared.

Answer 9

You'll be pumping as often as you would breast feeding. It's big, cumbersome and requires cleaning every time you use it. Stay home as long as you can. Breast feeding is important not just for the milk itself but the contact. Forget your job. It's just a J-O-B, you've got a baby now, she should be first.

Answer 10

in case you're actually not feeding, you will desire to be pumping, so it is not as common because it sounds... that entire sleep in the process the night, and function dad supply a bottle, it rather is extra like dad supplies the bottle collectively as you pump. Or in my case, I gave the bottle and then pumped. in case you nonetheless prefer to nonetheless, i might pretty propose the Medela Pump in form. It cost me $250, and that i've got been making use of it for 9 months now (used it to pump solely for 3 months for the time of a scientific situation). it is fairly as low-priced as you will get a solid double electric powered breast pump for. the rest and you're rather dropping your money, from my adventure. The little $40 from Wal Mart or maybe though is in simple terms crap. FOR ME, it would desire to paintings for different mothers, fantastically for short-term use. in simple terms had to function that for the time of there.