[~*Bethy*~]

I have extra milk that Bella cant eat all the way. She'd have to nurse probably 4-5 times in order to really empty my breast out. For thoes of you who pumped to store, do you do it after each feeding? Do you do both breasts in one setting or just one at a time? Shes cluster feeding at the moment, so if I dont put her to sleep myself, she will wake up and still want to eat. Im feeding on demand and dont watch for how long she feeds, but would be nice to start up a routine of feeding/pumping so I have some in storage to feed if Im not here. Any tips or advice?

~Beth

[LisanAndy]

I pumped a decent amount in the beginning just to relieve engorgement because she was going 3 hours between feedings. The pumping slowed down for me when she hit around 2-2.5 months old. She usually only nursed on one breast and I'd just pump the other (usually got around 2oz out) and put it in a marked breast milk bag and put it in the freezer

[~*Bethy*~]

See that would be easier, but I alternate. Thats why its hard for me to pump the other breast after she eats, cuz I feel bad that Im taking away from her next feeding. I should just pump to empty that breast she eats on. Then again if I do that then she wont ever get the hind milk....ohi vey!!!

[LisanAndy]

Well, I did what I said above but I'd start with the breast I pumped the next time I nursed. If it wasn't enough because she emptied it quick because of pumping, I just moved to the other breast. It can be a pain, I know

[~*Bethy*~]

Well in this case, I think it will be alright for the time being, she doesnt nurse a lot per feeding, and is taking to cluster feeding *SUCKS* Ill try that and see what happens, thank you!!

[**Jenn**]

I do exactly what Lisa did. I only pump once a day, first thing in the morning. Pumping never empties my breast so I offer that breast the next time she wants to eat and if she wants more I offer the other one too. You'll find a groove in time.

Lila's my first baby that doesn't cluster feed, not yet anyway, it's weird to have a baby not do that! I think she's going through a growth spurt now though because she's been waking a bit more at night to eat (she was only waking twice a night, now she wakes 3-4 times a night).

[bittersweet]

I didn't pump at all for the first 3 weeks. When I first started, I'd pump out the remainder of whatever breast she ate on. I'd do that once per day on each breast. Once she started sleeping more, I'd pump two-three hours after her last feeding for the night. I'm still doing that now, eventhough my freezer is packed with milk.

[Mars]

I didn't pump so early so I guess my situation was a bit different. I started pumping around 3 months in preparation to go back to work. One breast would fill her up and I would pump the other and freeze. We alternated like that throughout and when I went back to work, I would pump both while at work.

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

I always would just wait until she was done eating and then I'd pump both, and still have plenty by the next time she was hungry, about 2 hours later.

[lauren in hi]

^^^i was also going to suggest pumping from both.

[~*Bethy*~]

nak...

I tried pumping and nothing came out *raises one eyebrow...* well thats just great...there went my bday idea of kid free dinner and eclipse

[Frozendesire]

If your having problems pumping I strongly suggest pumping one breast while she's nursing from the other. That way you get the let down milky. That's how I pumped with Dustin. I got a fair amount by pumping the other breast at the same time.

[~*Bethy*~]

...how.... its not an automatic one.....wonder if WIC will let me rent one asap?