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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Question for moms that pump at work
Today is my first day back at work and DD's first full day at daycare. I block feed her at home and have been pumping every two hours alternating sides just like she would normally feed. I was ok for the first two pumping sessions and got enough from each side, but my supply dropped for the session I did at noon and had to supplement from the other side.
Do you pump both sides every time you pump or do you alternate one at a time? In theory, sticking with the every 2 hr mark, I should next pump at 2pm, but I'm afraid I wont' have enough from both sides to fill a bottle. Should I wait until 3 or 330 and pump both sides? I'm so afraid I won't have enough to get the two other bottles I need for her day tomorrow (I estimate she'll need 5 bottles per day at daycare).
Thoughts/ideas/advice welcome!
TIA,
a very worried new mom 
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Posted 10/4/10 1:24 PM  |
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mamabear
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 4539 total posts
Name:
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
I don't have a strict pumping schedule, but my best advice is just pump as often as possible--that's best for your supply. It doesn't matter if you only get 2 ounces during a session--it all adds up.
I try to pump 3x per day at work. I get the most in the morning session. I get less the other 2 sessions, but when it's all combined, it's enough (plus more) for my baby the next day. I've been able to build a nice freezer stash as well.
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| Posted 10/4/10 1:31 PM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
You may need help triggering your let down. I used to use a quick cell phone video of DD crying to help get it going.
I'd stay on a similar pumping schedule at work as you do at home, if you pump 2 hrs at home do it at work too. ANd make sure you're drinking enough water
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| Posted 10/4/10 1:33 PM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
When I did this, I pumped 3x/day at work. I would nurse DD in the morning before I left, then she'd get 3 bottles of pumped milk with MIL (4-5 oz each) and i'd nurse her when I got home and then before she went down for the night. I would also pump before I went to bed which was 2-3 hours after DD went to bed so sometimes that went into the freezer stash or into the fridge for the next day if I didn't get enough during pumping at work.
I always pumped both sides during each pumping session (one boob at a time) and I got a letdown on both sides every time. I'd get between 4 and 6 oz total each session.
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| Posted 10/4/10 1:36 PM |
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snowprincess
My happy babies
Member since 3/06 3428 total posts
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
When i went back I would feed from one side in the morning and pump the other side - did this for about a month and half - helped me get a freezer stash
then i would pump at the same time as his bottle - i always doubly pumped - but i was also only pumping every 4 hours because my ds was 5 months when he started daycare - so i only pumped twice at work
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| Posted 10/4/10 2:05 PM |
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Rycois
Blessed with 2blue/2pink
Member since 12/05 13341 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
How long are you away from DC? 5 bottles a day seems like a lot. How many ounces are they?
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| Posted 10/4/10 2:24 PM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
Posted by SweetCaroline
How long are you away from DC? 5 bottles a day seems like a lot. How many ounces are they?
shes at daycare roughly 815 until 5/530, depending on how long it takes for me to get to her. i leave for work at 7 (DH is dropping off, and I pick up), so fed her this morning at 6 when she woke up. My guess is that she ate at 8.30 or 9, and then usually she eats every two hours.
I've been guessing that she'd need 5 oz bottles, but have no idea b/c I ebf. Of the bottles we've given her (which isnt many), sometimes she eats the whole thing, and sometimes only eats half. But she always wants to eat every two hours like clockwork.
I should add that she's 3 months old. I'm just not sure how this should work.
Thanks for all the responses so far!
Message edited 10/4/2010 2:59:29 PM.
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| Posted 10/4/10 2:57 PM |
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Disneygirl
Disney cruise bound!
Member since 5/05 8126 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
Posted by Cpt2007
Posted by SweetCaroline
How long are you away from DC? 5 bottles a day seems like a lot. How many ounces are they?
shes at daycare roughly 815 until 5/530, depending on how long it takes for me to get to her. i leave for work at 7 (DH is dropping off, and I pick up), so fed her this morning at 6 when she woke up. My guess is that she ate at 8.30 or 9, and then usually she eats every two hours.
I've been guessing that she'd need 5 oz bottles, but have no idea b/c I ebf. Of the bottles we've given her (which isnt many), sometimes she eats the whole thing, and sometimes only eats half. But she always wants to eat every two hours like clockwork.
I should add that she's 3 months old. I'm just not sure how this should work.
Thanks for all the responses so far!
5oz every 2hours is an insane amount! No wonder you're not making your quota. Trust me your DD is not guzzling 5oz every 2 hours. Find out what she did at daycare today i.e. how much she drank and how often and keep trying to mimick her routine from the day before.
To answer your original question I don't get a lot of pump time at work so I pump from both sides when I can (even though I nurse DD from only one side at a time) then even out the bottles because obviously one side produces more milk.
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| Posted 10/4/10 3:07 PM |
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Rycois
Blessed with 2blue/2pink
Member since 12/05 13341 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
Posted by Cpt2007
Posted by SweetCaroline
How long are you away from DC? 5 bottles a day seems like a lot. How many ounces are they?
shes at daycare roughly 815 until 5/530, depending on how long it takes for me to get to her. i leave for work at 7 (DH is dropping off, and I pick up), so fed her this morning at 6 when she woke up. My guess is that she ate at 8.30 or 9, and then usually she eats every two hours.
I've been guessing that she'd need 5 oz bottles, but have no idea b/c I ebf. Of the bottles we've given her (which isnt many), sometimes she eats the whole thing, and sometimes only eats half. But she always wants to eat every two hours like clockwork.
I should add that she's 3 months old. I'm just not sure how this should work.
Thanks for all the responses so far!
Just because she nurses every 2 hours doesn't mean you have to give her that much every 2 hours in a bottle - she likely is held with 4-5oz every 3 hours at this stage.
I'm sure, 4 5oz bottles in that timeframe is more than enough. Give it a little time, but I'm sure you'll figure out the right amount for her in a few days. I always found returning to work trial & error.
My first DS took 4 6oz bottles while I worked
My second DS took 3 6oz bottles in my work day
You have to test it out
Message edited 10/4/2010 3:12:48 PM.
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| Posted 10/4/10 3:12 PM |
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twiceasnice
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1126 total posts
Name:
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Re: Question for moms that pump at work
When I first went back at 3 months I pumped every 3 hours, both breasts at the same time.
After let down, the whole project happens pretty quick. as the day goes on I did produce less but dont get worried!
You will learn how much she really drinks now that she is at daycare. My DD would feed on one side every 2-3 hours but never took a whole 4-5 ozs. Couple ounces here, couple there. I still had a full breast on the other side. Your DC may be the same and she will get used to the newness of this all as will you. Don't worry about pummping all your milk out...thats how your body knows to make more. My advice of the next few days is RELAX when pumping, keep your food/drink intake up, and get a good nights rest (the best you can).
Good Luck.
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| Posted 10/4/10 3:17 PM |
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