When to pump!

Question

Hey ladies just got home from the hospital yesterday and my baby boy is doing amazing with feeding. I had a c section Friday morning and the nurses were all really surprised at how fast my milk came in. The lactation consultant recommended I wait 2 weeks before starting to pump, but I’m wondering if that’s the norm or not. The only thing I’m worried about is my boobs getting engorged but I’d really like to start pumping before that. Any suggestions?

Answer

Congrats!! They’ll get engorged probably over the next few days, but that’s normal. Putting baby on breast often will tell your body how much it needs to make, and it will regulate your supply. If you nurse AND pump, you’re telling your body it needs to make more - then you can run into an oversupply problem. I’ve read it’s best to wait 4-6 weeks before pumping.

Answer

The more you stimulate your breasts by pumping and nursing the more milk you will produce. Your body is going to go up and down with production for several weeks. It is best to wait it out until it regulates before pumping otherwise you can end up with an oversupply. Oversupply can sound good when wanting to fill a freezer but is completely overwhelming, painful (for a lot longer than the first few weeks), and can risk mastitis and other issues. You can fill a freezer without an oversupply!

Answer

The reason they say to wait is because your babe will cluster feed to bring in the amount they need, if you pump as well it can bring in an oversupply. But if you’re engorged just a pump a tiny bit to relieve it! Once your supply is established you can empty the whole breast :)

Answer

I would wait at least two weeks before you start pumping, you can cause yourself to start overproduction if you pump too early. I would let your supply begin to regulate before starting, I wish I had because now I feel like a dairy cow lol. You can hand express just enough out to feel comfortable if you're engorged.

Answer

Thanks ladies I really appreciate the info! I guess I will be waiting for now!

When to pump!

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