How long before pumping?

Question

How long do I have to wait before I start pumping and storing breast milk? My daughter is 2 weeks old tomorrow and she is a great eater so is it ok to feed her breast milk from a bottle already? How much can/should I pump?

Answer 1

My son in 3 weeks old and I pump and my hubby feeds him breastmilk from a bottle!! Its a great release so you should begin soon.. My husband truly enjoys the bonding with him as well... Make sure you label the milk or use it right away... my lactation lady told me the 5 rule... 5 hours out, 5 days in fridge, and 5 months in freezer so a little FYI!! Hope this helps!! Goodluck and get a good pump!!

Answer 2

You don't need to wait but you can. I didn't start pumping for about a month since I was home for 6 weeks. When I started pumping, I would feed him and then pump the rest out. Then I would freeze it to store it. If I knew I was going to go somewhere without him a couple days in advance, I would pump after feedings so I would have a bottle for him when he needed one if I wasn't there to feed him. Does that make sense? When I went back to work full time, I would pump every 2-3 hours, just as often as it would be like he was eating. Now I pump every 3-4 hours because he eats more less often.

Answer 3

I started pumping while I was in the hospital. Some recommend not offering a bottle right away, but I've heard of women not being able to give their baby one after nursing too long, so I would say start trying now. I used the Avent bottles, because they are more like the real thing. They don't look like the natural breast, but the way the baby has to suck off the nipple to get milk is the same way they breastfeed. I learned this in my breastfeeding class.

You can start by pumping your milk after each feeding. You might not get much, but after you refrigerate it, you can add it to other breastmilk already refrigerated. Or, you can pump in between feedings. Your milk will replenish every 90 minutes. You can store breastmilk for 2 days in the refrigerator, 2 months in the freezer and 6 months in a deep freeze. You can buy bags to store milk in the freezer. Do not reheat the milk in the microwave because it kills the antibodies in it.

Answer 4

Why are we so rigid with babies? Nature deserves much more credit! She is a great eater so this is going to work out fine if for that reason alone. Basically don't pump more milk than you're going to use. Let practicality be your reason. My daughter (born on the 17th of Oct.) was SO HUNGRY when she was born and the nurses and my Mom & Husband would offer to take her once my eyes started to close. My milk wasn't coming in much but I still breastfed her since she was 2 hours old. One nurse told me to wait 2 weeks before pumping. With my 1st daughter, my boobs were leaking like crazy and that never would have worked. Things are more managable this time around.
YES, it is fine for you to feed her from a bottle: she's gonna love it but prefer you, Mom. I let the nurses feed by baby from a bottle, me, my Mom and Husband fed her from a little silicone cup (yes! a cup!) and this all went well, and she still has a strong appetite and prefers breast. She loves the skin to skin touch.
Congratulations on your little angel!
p.s. I have found soooo much relief doing ALL her feedings laying down in bed instead of back breaking upright positions lately.
Best wishes to you!

Answer 5

If your milk supply is good, sure go ahead and start pumping. Remember though, that because you are pumping , your milk supply is going to increase, ( mother nature's own supply and demand system ). Pumping for about 10 minutes on each side should be adequate to empty your breasts. Also, if you are going to store your breastmilk for any amount of time, you can freeze it and it will keep longer. So, congratulations on your new little angel, and hope you continue to enjoy a happy nursing experience.

Answer 6

I started pumping the day my daughter was born, we weren't "connecting" very well. And she took a bottle right a way.
Breast milk can stay out of the fridge for 4 hrs. Formula can only stay out of the fridge for 1hr-mixed.
Breast milk can be freezed for up to 6 mos. Make sure you write the dates and times you pumped.
Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 7

I would not suggest introducing a bottle until 4-6 weeks.
You want your supply to be more regulated and to get through some of the early growth spurts first.
Drinking from a bottle is COMPLETELY different from nursing at the breast. Let her get a little more established at the breast before you try to teach her something new.

Answer 8

you should have started pumping while still in the hospital after the baby was born..so you need to start ASAP so you will not start to dry up...you should pump for about 15-20 mins on each breast every 2 hours or so..the same times that she would eat

Answer 9

BY ALL MEANS START NOW WHILE READING YOUR ANSWERS...THE AMOUNT OF MILK DEPENDS ON HER FEEDING SCHEDULE..IF BABY EATS EVERY 2 HRS THEN MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BOTTLES ON THE READY .MY DAUGHTER PUMPED HER MILK RACKED/STACKED BOTTLES 4-6 BOTTLES IN THE FRIDGE GIVING HER A BREAK IN BETWEEN PUMPING.

Answer 10

if you have plenty, pump. if nothing else, it will give you some relief and your spouse can feed the baby sometimes to help him bond too. if you have more than you need, you can freeze breast milk.