BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

I posted this on the parenting board...but I know BTDT moms here are SO HELPFUL so I figured to ask here too

Nursing is going very well!! And I just started pumping...milk just came in.

I don't know how much I should store when I pump? How many ounces should I be storing for one bottle? 2 ounces?

and for how long should I be bottle feeding 2 ounces before upping it to 4 ounces?

Also, do I sterilize all of the pieces after EVERY time I pump? and what pieces should be cleaned?

Last question...If I don't pump enough for a whole bottle or freezer bag (for instance, I pumped 1.5 oz before) can I add milk to it the next time to make a full bottle? Does it have to be room temp to add to it, or can I add new milk to a refrigerated bottle?

Thank you so much for helping me answer these questions!!!!!

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

I don't know how much I should store when I pump? How many ounces should I be storing for one bottle? 2 ounces?

Store whatever you pump in a full session.

and for how long should I be bottle feeding 2 ounces before upping it to 4 ounces?

DC will eat until they are full. Always offer as much as you can (basically what you would pump in one session = what DC would breastfeed anyway)

Also, do I sterilize all of the pieces after EVERY time I pump? and what pieces should be cleaned?

I washed all pieces with HOT, soapy water after each use but sterilized 1-2 times a week.

Last question...If I don't pump enough for a whole bottle or freezer bag (for instance, I pumped 1.5 oz before) can I add milk to it the next time to make a full bottle? Does it have to be room temp to add to it, or can I add new milk to a refrigerated bottle?

You can add BM to BM but it has to be the same temperature before you add it. I used to put both small portions in the fridge and combine them a few hours later when they were both at the same temp.

Congrats on successful BFing! Once you get over the first few weeks it gets SO much easier!

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

I never got a TON of milk but was pumping only, so I would say that I just stored as much as I got at once and I would keep it in the fridge and it was used within the day. I know my sister stored it in 2-4 ounce bags to begin with, and then larger amounts once her DD had gotten a bit older.

As far as washing/steralizing the parts...I washed everything with soap and water after each use, and steralized about once ever 2 days.

Good Luck to you!

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

I am planning on breastfeeding and have had numerous people recommend the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by La Leche League to me. Its actually a pretty interesting read, and should serve as a place to go with any breastfeeding questions you might have.

In addition, you can browse their website. I found this link helpful specifically with regard to pumping and storing:


link

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

Here are my replies:

How many ounces should I be storing for one bottle? 2 ounces?
--I found in the beginning it was better to only store in 2-oz increments because my infant would only drink that much per feeding. I didn't want to waste any more than I had to, so I'd defrost/thaw 2oz per feeding and then I felt more comfortable.

and for how long should I be bottle feeding 2 ounces before upping it to 4 ounces?
--I'd feed the baby as much as he wants to take. I remember the advice that 1oz per week of age was a good indicator (ie at 2wks old, they'll take 2oz/feeding, at 4wks old they'll take 4oz/feeding). My DCs were both big so they tended to take more than this per feeding, but see what works for you.

Also, do I sterilize all of the pieces after EVERY time I pump? and what pieces should be cleaned?
--I washed all the horns(?), flanges (yellow parts), and the white membrane/flap thing EVERYtime in hot/soapy water and let them air dry completely. I found it helpful to have 2-3 sets of everything. I sterilized in the microwave bags every 2-3 days with steam.

Last question...If I don't pump enough for a whole bottle or freezer bag (for instance, I pumped 1.5 oz before) can I add milk to it the next time to make a full bottle? Does it have to be room temp to add to it, or can I add new milk to a refrigerated bottle?
--You can combine milk but make sure it's the same temperature, like another poster indicated. So if you have a bottle of 1.5oz in the fridge and you just pumped another 1.5oz, put the fresh (ie warmer) 1.5oz in the fridge to chill, and then add it to the bottle you already have.

Good luck - you're doing everything great! =)

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

Yes you can freeze in 2 oz. bags if you don't think you'll use it in the next 5 days. BM can stay in the back of the fridge for up to 5 days.

If DC sucks down the 2oz. BM bottle, she is prob ready for more. Add another 0.5 oz. and see if she takes it. Keep going in 0.5 oz. increments everytime you are increasing bottles- this way you don't waste milk if they don't drink it.

Good luck!

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

All I remember is that I would store only 2-3 ounces per bag in the freezer. You can always take two bags out to see how much your dc eats but if you take one 5 ounce bag out and dc only eats 3 then that makes for a sad mommy.. I used to cry when my milk got wasted.

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

thank you so much for the replies!! always so helpful ladies!!

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

I'll try to answer all of your questions the best that I can :) I exclusively pump for my twins. I wish I could BF, but it didn't work out for us.

I don't know how much I should store when I pump? How many ounces should I be storing for one bottle? 2 ounces?

I continue to store in the 2.5oz medella bottles. But they were also free from the NICU. I also use these to measure out the bottles.. I have also found it convenient and not wasteful of Bm to store in small amounts. Later you will be using BM to mix cereal and might not need the entire amount you froze. Or just might need a little to top off a bottle.

and for how long should I be bottle feeding 2 ounces before upping it to 4 ounces?

Babies will ALWAYS take more from the bottle then the breast. We were taught in the NICU to gradually increase them IF they are looking for more food We increase 10 ml at a time, as to not waste BM.

Also, do I sterilize all of the pieces after EVERY time I pump? and what pieces should be cleaned?

Again learned from the LC's in the nicu, you do not need to sterilize pump parts unless there is a problem, EX breast infection...I have 3 sets of pump parts that I clean once a day. I store them in the fridge in between pumping. and toss them in the dishwasher at night.

Last question...If I don't pump enough for a whole bottle or freezer bag (for instance, I pumped 1.5 oz before) can I add milk to it the next time to make a full bottle? Does it have to be room temp to add to it, or can I add new milk to a refrigerated bottle?

I was told that you can add milk, but only of similar temperature So, If there is a small amount in the fridge, put the freshly pumped in the fridge and then mix later. Or if you are using it soon, take the cold milk out to get to be room temp and mix once everything is room temp.

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

I don't know how much I should store when I pump? How many ounces should I be storing for one bottle? 2 ounces?

If you're freezing the milk, it depends on when you plan on giving the bottles. If you plan on storing the frozen milk for several months, I'd freeze most of the milk in 4 oz portions and some in 2 oz portions.

and for how long should I be bottle feeding 2 ounces before upping it to 4 ounces?

DS started drinking 4 oz around 3-4 months. All babies are different though.

Also, do I sterilize all of the pieces after EVERY time I pump? and what pieces should be cleaned?

You don't need to sterilize the pieces, but I'd clean the horns and the attachments. You don't need to worry about the tubes unless milk happens to get in there. I worked FT and in order to build a freezer stash, I pumped once per day first thing in the morning during my maternity leave. It wasn't as much of a hassle to clean the parts until I went back to work and was pumping multiple times per day.

Last question...If I don't pump enough for a whole bottle or freezer bag (for instance, I pumped 1.5 oz before) can I add milk to it the next time to make a full bottle? Does it have to be room temp to add to it, or can I add new milk to a refrigerated bottle?

I would not add freshly pumped milk to already refrigerated milk. You can combine the freshly pumped milk with each other. I'd then store it in the refrigerator before adding it to the other refrigerated milk. I had about 10 Medela bottles that I stored the milk in. If I wasn't going to use the milk within a few days, I'd then freeze it in the Lansinoh bags.

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

Re: BTDT: PUMPING ?? - because I feel like our posts get answered quicker...

Just want to add that when you freeze breastmilk in the bags, make sure you take all the air out of the bag before you seal it otherwise the bag may burst. Liquid expands when frozen. also do no fill more than the recommended ounces per bag.