There's no pat answer to your question, because every woman's pumping capacity is different, and every baby's expressed breastmilk intake is different. Your baby could be rather averse to "non-mommy" feedings, and may take only one bottle that you could pump at lunch. Your baby won't starve as you know during these long stretches (many babies go all night or longer without eating at that age) - as long as he doesn't demand milk, he doesn't need to be encouraged to drink expressed breastmilk in the same way that formula-fed infants drink. Be aware that breastfed babies need about 20% less breastmilk than formula-fed babies need formula, and tend to take in a lot more liquids at night than formula-fed babies. If your caregiver is unaware of this, educate her! As long as you pump enough during the day to meet your son's demands, you don't need to pump a certain number of times.
Alternatively, your baby may need 4 - 4 ounce bottles which you'd probably need to pump 3 times for (Although there are some women who can pump 16 ounces at one go!). Around 6 months I found myself pumping 4 times for only 8 ounces, but that covered my baby's needs just fine. It's such an individual thing. I have suggestions for you for fitting in extra pumping sessions:
Just be sure to follow one rule while you are with your baby, and your milk supply should be adequate:
No bottles while together!
If you follow that rule, your body will learn to make enough milk at the right times. If baby seems unsatisfied at the breast, let him switch breasts as often as he pulls off still hungry, even if he feeds all evening. These spurts are usually temporary, and a bit more difficult for working mothers, since baby has a smaller time frame to build up your supply (and it's harder to build *up* a supply with a breastpump).
If you find it impossible to work in as many pumping sessions as you need to meet your baby's needs, try pumping the other breast while nursing your baby for the first two feedings on Sat & Sun morning. This generally allows you to capture more milk since supplies are higher in the morning, and since the baby causes letdowns more efficiently than pumping alone.
If despite these measures, you can't pump enough, then pump what you can
and supplement other feedings. Check out our new list of
pumping tips as well. It's not the end of the world to be
unable to pump enough, and no sign of your fitness as a mother! Just
remember that if you nurse while you are together, you'll be able to keep
your nursing relationship as long as you both enjoy it!
Happy Nursing!
| ©
1998 Paula Bobbett Last Update: November 14, 1998 |
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