Pumping a stash and oversupply

[kdmalk]

So I return to work in 4 weeks. I have a grand total of 4oz in the freezer. I just couldn't be bothered to pump. So I figured in the next couple weeks all I need to do is pump enough for a day at daycare and a few spares and then replace the missing milk with what I pump each day at work.

And after my friend went back to work last week and blew through a stash of 50oz, I wondered how that was possible. She can only pump twice a day at work, while her LO eats 3 or 4 bottles at daycare. So it just hit me that I'll be pumping three times and LO eats 4 times (or more if grumpy) in that time period. So I am going to have the same issue. Because I'm not going to get anything done at work if I have to pump 4 times a day.

So I thought I could use this month to store up as much of a stash as possible and then see how long I can go without supplementing. My question is this: if I'm trying to pump several extra feedings a day, won't I give myself an oversupply? If I do that, LO won't get the hind milk when I am feeding him, correct? Or am I over analyzing this?

Advice on stocking up before he starts daycare? What's the best way to stock up fast? Or have I made a major mistake and it's too late? HELP!

 

[jessmke]

I usually pump in the morning right after my daughter has her first feed of the day. She only wakes 1-2 times in the night and only eats for about 10 min each time, so by morning my boobs are ready to burst! I can usually pump about 3 oz after she eats (takes about 10 min). She usually only eats from one boob at each feed, so once or twice during the day I will pump the other boob while she is eating. I freeze about 5 oz a day this way and it hasn't created oversupply for me. I've been pumping like this for a month and have over 100 oz in the freezer. Honestly I wouldn't mind a bit of oversupply, if I freeze more than I'll use then I will just donate it.

When you go back to work you could pump after the morning feed before you go to work to make one extra bottle for daycare.

 

[kdmalk]

Unfortunately I am not talented enough to pump one side while he eats the other. My ginormous boobs are always smashing his face and he can't breathe if I don't hold them out of the way of his nose (particularly on the right side for some reason).

How do people even do that anyway? Balance a baby on your boob while holding the pump on the other? I must lack some basic mom skill because it seems everyone is capable of doing this but me. Anyone have any tips? Especially from other big-boobed ladies who have to really maneuver a baby to make sure they can breathe while your hand(s?) are free??? I can only seem to get a free hand while he eats on the left. And even then I think it would be quite a scene for me to attempt to pump on the other side. I imagine quite the disaster. Is that just how it works for everyone? Fill me in.

I will attempt this pump-while-feeding witchcraft in the morning and report back. ...unless I lose my nerve. Lol

Other than that, he does typically take both breasts at each feeding because I hold so little at a time (even when I feel full I only seem to get about two ounces from each side), so I still worry that my freezer stash will end up quite small because the morning is probably the only time I could reasonably get anything extra that he isn't gobbling up.

Pumping for daycare is quite the chore! No wonder so many working moms formula feed! But I'm determined to give this my absolute best shot!!!!

 

[noon_child]

Unfortunately I am not talented enough to pump one side while he eats the other. My ginormous boobs are always smashing his face and he can't breathe if I don't hold them out of the way of his nose (particularly on the right side for some reason).

How do people even do that anyway? Balance a baby on your boob while holding the pump on the other? I must lack some basic mom skill because it seems everyone is capable of doing this but me. Anyone have any tips? .

...even when I feel full I only seem to get about two ounces from each side)

Some people create pumping bras - buy a cheap nursing bra and cut a hole in the nipple bit of the cup (big enough to fit the small end of the pump flange through). Then rather than holding the pump in place, the bra does that instead.

I think 4oz is a pretty normal amount btw.

 

[kdmalk]

I do have a pumping bra. But I don't think I could wear it while he ate. I'll experiment with that.

I didn't get to test the eat-while-pumping witchcraft this morning because my MIL called as we got up for the day, so I fed him while I spoke to her. I guess there is always tomorrow. And I'll maybe try with the bra.

I guess I just thought maybe I was on the low side because I have a friend whose baby was born on the same day and she is pumping kaboodles. Like filling up bottles on each side. So I thought maybe it was me! Lol

 

[jessmke]

I can't always do the eat while pumping witchcraft, she needs to be eating on the left so I can pump on the right. I have a manual pump and I am not coordinated enough to pump with my left hand. Sometimes baby gets irritated with me jostling her around while she's trying to eat and I'm trying to get the pump in the right position, in which case I abandon the attempt and just pump when she's done eating. I don't have overly large breasts so maybe that helps. I also need baby in a semi-upright position, almost sitting, to be able to do it. I can't do it with a cradle hold. Football hold would probably work well, but baby doesn't like that position very much.

 

[marigold91]

I think if you were to start pumping after EVERY feed, you would definitely end up with an oversupply. But if you just do it after one or two feedings, it would probably be fine (although that may not be enough to build up a decent enough stash before going back to work). Maybe try just pumping after one or two feedings for the next two weeks. If in two weeks you still don't have a decent stash, you could pump more?

 

[RaquelDee]

I pump after most feeds and don't have an issue with oversupply. I don't pump for long, just 5 minutes or so to get the excess, and I don't try to get another let-down or anything like that. I get the most from pumping in the morning, and then just add the other bits from the day, and have between 3 or 4 oz by the end of the day to either freeze or send to daycare the next day.

I think if you pump right after feeds you're probably OK so far as oversupply goes. It would be if you add in extra pumping sessions spaced between feeds that you might end up with oversupply as your body will be responding to an increased number of 'feeds'.

I had nothing in the freezer with 4 weeks to go until returning to work. I managed to put away around 60oz before starting work, and so far haven't used any (my work schedule is proving to be pretty breastfeeding friendly, though).