Errr.. Pumpers?

[Serene123]

That sounds like such a silly thing to call you guys but I have a question. If you pump, does that not make your breasts produce less milk that day? Don't you use some of it up?



I reeeeeeeeeeally hope that wasn't a stupid question.

 

[Margerle]

'Pumpers' hehehe

I pump when I feel like I have extra.

Or I pump extra after she feeds (when she hasn't taken a full feed for whatever reason).

Breastmilk is produced whenever the prolactin receptors in breast 'storage tanks' are 'on'. When the storage tanks are full of milk, the receptors turn off and milk slows way down.

If a woman who has established breastfeeding (past 6 weeks or so) pumps off milk, it leaves the receptors 'on' and milk is produced (filling the breast with an ounce or two in an hour or so in my case).

So no, if you pump the milk off (and are still feeding baby from the breast), you're actually forcing the body to make more milk in the long run.

I hope that made sense... I'm feeling a little off today as we're battling colds here.

 

[sam's mum]

It wasn't a stupid question! Yes it does use it up...not that they produce less, but if you're storing the milk less goes into baby! Some people will pump off what's left after their baby has finished feeding (so that by the time they want fed again they've refilled). But Sam's pretty greedy and doesn't leave much in there so I pump a whole breast in the morning if I'm pumping one day. Feed him from one, pump the other, give him breakfast then feed him from the first side again - it's never as full as the pumped one but he's ok with it. After a few days of pumping every day I end up making enough x

 

[sam's mum]

Typing with 2 hands for once and I still got beaten x

 

[Serene123]

Yeah, she is just struggling to keep up with herself lately. She isn't putting on weight anymore, constantly wants to feed, won't take a bottle, and AHHHHHH, I'm quite honestly losing my marbles..

 

[1st_baby]

I tried pumping with the Mini electric from um i forgot the name starts with and M...anyway yeah I gave up it was not working ..it worked better by hand but now my lil bugger wants the boob again so hes BF