Pumping question? Please help

Question

I am EBF. But I want to keep a bottle of pumped milk just in case I am stuck with something else so my husband can feed the baby. I don't know but I find pumping to be a lot of hassle😫.sorry for too many questions. Any tips would be really appreciated

1)when should I pump? And ideally how long should I pump
2)I plan to feed the baby maybe once or twice in a day through bottle. Will it decrease my supply? I am really scared about it
3)how do I store the milk for the day?
4) also if I want to store milk for future use how should I store it?

Answer

Idk what kind of pump you have but that has a lot to do with it being a hassle. I had a handheld pump and it took forever I recently got a double medela pump and it doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes now depending how full I am. If your trying to build your milk supply you should try and pump after each feeding but I only pump 1-3 times a day. And storing milk in the storage bags is best for the freezer and I store a bottle everyday in the refrigerator because my SO always wants to feed my daughter atleast once a day and we wanted her to get used to a bottle incase we were away from her. I keep bottles for no more than 2 days in the fridge. I know you can go longer but that's just me.

Answer

I exclusively pump so I don't know how to work pumping with breastfeeding as well. But for storage, it's good in the fridge up to 5 days but freshest is best. Store in freezer in bags, in a fridge freezer it's good for 6 months, in a deep freeze up to a year. Pumping sucks. Good luck!

Answer

I recommend that you read the Nursing Mother's Companion - it's a great book that goes over all the basics and issues relating to breastfeeding and pumping and will answer all your questions and more.

My quick answers based on what I've noticed/experienced/read:
- most women have higher milk supply overnight. I always try to pump after my last feeding of the night or after the first one in the AM. I EBF and I pump once a day to build up my back supply.
- consistency day to day seems to be important. If someone is giving your baby a bottle, you should separately also pump when you would have nursed.
- bottles stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days; several months in the freezer.

Good luck!

Pumping question? Please help

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