Back to work pumping/nursing questions (rambling)

[Deleted]

Jul 1, 2015 21:17:55 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

So, I started back to work this week, and baby R started at daycare.  I wasn't sure what to expect from pumping or what he'd eat, so I've been sending 2 3oz bags and 2 4oz bags (the 3oz are frozen, the 4oz are fresh).
Monday, he ate 9oz
Tuesday and Wednesday, he ate 13oz

I've pumped between 9.5 - 10.5oz each while he's at daycare.  Fortunately, I'm also able to get 7-8 oz between a first thing in the morning pump and a before bed pump.

Questions - Is this going to be a problem?  I don't mind doing these pumps, but wonder if it's bad that I'm not able to cover his bottles during the time we're apart.

Also, he's been pretty consistently STTN (7:30pm - 5am, please don't hate me!), but this week has been waking up at 3am.  He nurses quickly (so not likely eating much) and goes back to sleep.  Does this sound like he's not eating enough during the day? Or he just misses me (I miss him!)?  Or just general baby bullshit?

Last question - Because he sleeps so well at night (which of course I want to encourage), I do worry it might be hard for him to get enough oz in during the day.  When we were together all day, he was very snacky.  I'm currently nursing him when he wakes up (5amish), a quicker session (because I'm trying to get everyone out the door) at 8am, he takes 3-4 bottles at daycare, then I try to feed him twice before he goes down for the night, but one feed is usually short.  Should I be sending more in his bottles (maybe 4 4oz?) to make sure he gets enough during the day?

You can try to increase your supply with fenugreek/cookies/etc but if you don't mind the extra pumping at night, I'd say you're fine for now. The volume he consumes may go up somewhat, but it varies by kid. Piper is happy with 14-15oz/day, my friend's daughter would scream if she didn't have closer to 20-22 a day. 

The MOTN wakeup was a phase Piper has gone through a few times, usually lasts a week to 10 days, just a quick feeding. I'd say he's getting plenty during the day and it's just a growth spurt. 

[Blue Moon]

I had to pump 3x a day to cover my DD's daycare bottles. I'd pump first thing in the morning while getting ready and get ~9 oz. Then I would pump during my prep at work at noon and get another 6 oz. I'd pump around 8:30 after DD was in bed to cover the rest ~5 oz. She was taking 4 5 oz bottles from 4 months until 9.5 months, although one of those bottles was when we were home in the morning. She also nursed 1-2x times as well.

[ssmjlm]

I had to pump 3-4x a day in the beginning.

I woke up at 5am, pumped, then got ready. Fed E when she woke up, then we left for daycare at 7. Pumped at work at 10/12/2. Then BF after daycare and before bed.

[lishie]

To make sure I got enough milk, I pumped 3x a day at work. Soon after I got there, around lunch and then mid afternoon. You may want to add in another session if it's possible.

[suzubell]

At a minimum you are getting 16 oz a day? I think you will be just fine. I wouldn't drop any sessions for a while, but I also wouldn't add any -- when I did I still got similar amounts over the entire day.

Waking up to nurse is just a way to reconnect with mama. Enjoy your cuddles if you can (though sleep is preferable for sure!). He'll settle in the new routine soon enough.

[simpsongal]

Jul 1, 2015 21:17:55 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

So, I started back to work this week, and baby R started at daycare.  I wasn't sure what to expect from pumping or what he'd eat, so I've been sending 2 3oz bags and 2 4oz bags (the 3oz are frozen, the 4oz are fresh).
Monday, he ate 9oz
Tuesday and Wednesday, he ate 13oz
Seems about right, I think 10-12 ounces is average for an 8+ hour span

I've pumped between 9.5 - 10.5oz each while he's at daycare.  Fortunately, I'm also able to get 7-8 oz between a first thing in the morning pump and a before bed pump.
How often are you pumping at work?  If you can keep up the morning and night pumps, I wouldn't be worried about the lower production at work.  It doesn't matter when you pump it, as you as you pump it in the same day.  For me, I pumped extra in the morning to build a freezer stash (4-5 ounces), and then 3 times at work (16-20 ounces). 

Do you have a freezer stash?  It's all about giving yourself options and your desire.    There may be a day you're tired and leave milk out that spoils (done that), or a sick day where your supply drops. 

Questions - Is this going to be a problem?  I don't mind doing these pumps, but wonder if it's bad that I'm not able to cover his bottles during the time we're apart.

Also, he's been pretty consistently STTN (7:30pm - 5am, please don't hate me!), but this week has been waking up at 3am.  He nurses quickly (so not likely eating much) and goes back to sleep.  Does this sound like he's not eating enough during the day? Or he just misses me (I miss him!)?  Or just general baby bullshit?

Response (not bolding for some reason): No hate here - enjoy and know it probably won't last (4 month wakeful, UGH).  DS would wake one or twice, nurse for like 10 minutes and sleep.  By 4 months he make be getting good at nursing, so don't be too sure he's not getting much.  Totally normal behavior.


Last question - Because he sleeps so well at night (which of course I want to encourage), I do worry it might be hard for him to get enough oz in during the day.  When we were together all day, he was very snacky.  I'm currently nursing him when he wakes up (5amish), a quicker session (because I'm trying to get everyone out the door) at 8am, he takes 3-4 bottles at daycare, then I try to feed him twice before he goes down for the night, but one feed is usually short.  Should I be sending more in his bottles (maybe 4 4oz?) to make sure he gets enough during the day?

Response: He sounds fine, all normal.  4 4-ounce bottles is a lot.  Some kids are big feeders but he sounds fine and I wouldn't want DC to think they need to use all that milk. 

[simpsongal]

Jul 2, 2015 8:35:57 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

Oops, I should have mentioned, I'm already pumping 3X between 9-5 (while we're apart). Because I WFH, I can easily pump more often/longer, but will it do me any good to keep pumping if milk isn't still coming out?

It will eventually increase your supply, but beware an oversupply.  It sounds like you're producing plenty.  If you want a little more, I recommend hand expression after pumping.  There's almost always an extra ounce in there that won't come out with the pump.

I think one of the reasons your output isn't as high as others from 3 pumping sessions (average probably 16-20 ounces) is b/c you're also pumping in the morning (right, that's before the 3 times your apart?).  But your total for the day is fine.

If you want to build a big stash, hand express, or keep pumping after the milk stops flowing.  But again, once you establish a bigger supply, you have to keep up with it (it's a commitment).

[linz]

Are you using a PISA? I would pump at least 20 minutes each session and try turning the speed up. I have the spectra at home (I was renting a symphony) and use the PISA at work. I EP and don't get quite as much with the PISA but it's enough to get by.

I can't remember when but my kids eventually started drinking 4 oz every 3 hours during the day and they have stayed there even at 8 months.

[suzubell]

I loved the MOTN snuggles once I went back to work. It was our special time. You're right, though. One MOTN snuggle/BFing session is plenty

[Poppy]

I think you'd get more at your first work pump if you skip the first-thing-in-the-morning pump. Not that I'm recommending that, just saying that you may not be at as much of a deficit as you think.

DS went from ~12oz @ 3mo to ~15-16oz @ 4mo to ~19oz at 6mo. I think we're at peak consumption (hopefully). Sometimes if I get home early he has only eaten 3/4 of that. I've been able to keep up but I did drop to 2 pumps/day at 6mo and this last month I've been breaking pretty close to even, which doesn't account for milk losses like simpsongal mentioned. We'll see what happens from here out!

[simpsongal]

It would be nice if you could get that output in fewer pumps, or cut the night pump. But you might get uncomfortable. Although you're outpacing him now, it's not uncommon for intake to increase in the coming months (upward of 18 ounces).

But keep on, keepin' on if you're okay with it. You could try dropping one of the morning work pumps - maybe pump at 11am or noon and see if you can still get the same amount?

[Deleted]

Jul 2, 2015 8:35:57 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

Oops, I should have mentioned, I'm already pumping 3X between 9-5 (while we're apart). Because I WFH, I can easily pump more often/longer, but will it do me any good to keep pumping if milk isn't still coming out?

To increase supply, the recommendation is to pump 5 min after milk stops as long as it isn't hurting you. Make sure you try to trigger another let down too.

I EP, but no way do I make enough while we're apart to feed DS. I usually pump 6oz right before I go to work, 10-14 while at work. He eats 16-20 while I'm gone.

You might do an extra pump at your bedtime to build up some extra for a couple of weeks. You can add it or take it away as needed.

[Deleted]

Jul 2, 2015 18:20:41 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

So today, they gave him what I sent (2 3oz, and 2 4oz), PLUS 4oz from the frozen stuff I sent them for emergencies. 18OZ!! WTF. We're only apart from 9am-5pm.

Some of you mentioned your babies taking 16-20oz upthread, but your apart for more hours, right? I'll never be able to keep up with this.

Sorry, not much longer. I leave for work at 8:45 and get back anywhere from 5-6.

[Deleted]

In good news though, somewhere around 12-14 weeks my supply increased, so I started producing more per pump. I've heard of other moms experiencing the same thing-maybe that's common to keep up with babies.