Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

I've been pumping - DD will be 3 weeks on Wednesday and so far I seem to be pumping anywhere from 4-7 ounces every 2-3 hours. I have been able to freeze some milk - which has been great - but i was just wondering if anyone was able to keep up with the pumping and feeding demands for their baby till one year old?

Did your milk supply increase when baby's demand for more milk increase? Did it stay the same and did you just start using your frozen supply?

I really hope to keep this up as much i can - was interested to hear your experience.

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

i haven't - but i wanted to say WOW to u for pumping 4-7 ounces...I'm lucky when I get 3.5 - 4 combined from both...

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

Well, I didn't pump longer than two months, but I will say that by 2 months, I was getting 18oz a session I had my freezer and my mother's freezer packed
It should increase as long as you're on a schedule. I know Corinned pumped for a year, maybe FM her.

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

i also pumped up till 2 moths i was getting 4oz total at each sitting and that was what ds needed you will pump what the babby needs
the milk gets thicker so the amount will stay the same till atleast months - i read that some place

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

Thanks for posting this. I was wondering the same thing. DD will be 2 weeks tomorrow and I, too have been pumping 4-7 oz. every time I pump. I only pump a few times a day and the other times the baby gets the breast.

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

I pumped exclusively for 8 months. At about 2 months I was able to establish a schedule that kept me pumping about 21 oz a day...I pumped first thing in the morning, at 6 pm and again at 11 pm. I don't know if this could work for everyone, but it worked brilliantly for me.

I was a slave to the pump though, and if I had to do it all over again, I don't think I would do it the same. I was constantly worried about having enough food for my baby, when I tried to mixed feed, he would throw the formula back up.

Keep up the good work!!!

Message edited 11/25/2007 12:48:41 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

I pumped exclusively for the first year. It was really difficult but it was the best decision for me. My supply stabilized with what the baby needed. Unfortunately, my supply wasn't that great, so there was a time I was pumping 7-8 times a day. By the end, it was 3-4 times a day. I wasn't able to freeze any, so I had to make sure I had enough for the next day.

Good luck in whatever you decide. You have already done great for your baby!

Re: Breastfeeding Mommies - Did anyone pump exclusively for up to a year?

So far I am EBF and rarely pump so I am not quite sure how many oz I am getting. DS is just about 11 weeks old. I plan to continue this until he is around 6 months or his teeth hurt me too much (which ever comes first) and then pump. I cant imagine doing all this BFing which is hard work, to just switch to formula within the 1st year, just my opinion.

Message edited 11/25/2007 2:12:16 PM.