Pumping EBF

Unfortunately it is really hard work. You essentially need to pump every 2-3 hours in the newborn stage to mimic your baby’s feeding pattern. You could try power pumping to up your supply or supplement with BF or Formula if you’re looking to build a stash. Also only offer baby what’s needed to avoid waste

Are you just pumping or are you bf aswell? If you’re just pumping do every 3 hours for 20 mins 8 times a day, atleast once during the night, I’ve been doing that for a little while I don’t have a freezer stash but I’ve got a pretty good fridge stash, as your milk production comes more you’ll be able to bag more and eventually move to storing in the freezer

I haven't been able to pump, my baby is constantly on my boob and my nipples need a rest when he isn't. When I have tried to pump I've only collected about 10ml, i know this would add up through the day, but just breastfeeding seems to be working but maybe just because my boy feeds sooooo much

I am exclusively pumping - the first few days it was stressful and I always felt worried I wouldn't have enough for the next feed. I did some power pumping and pumped every time he fed including in the night and now I get one bag 'extra' overnight (I pump every time he feeds overnight still) for the freezer

I’m hoping to pump aswell but a little overwhelmed with so much information! How and what do you use to clean after pumping? I plan to use spectra during the night and Elvie stride. Once I’ve used the pump can I just put the necessary parts in warm water till the morning, then in the morning clean with fresh warm water, do I just put washing up liquid in the water? Or something particular I need?! Then they have to go in a microwave or some other type of steriliser? Is that right?!! Also, how long are they then ‘sterile’? I was thinking of getting a couple sets of spare parts so I’ve always got a spare clean and ready or do they need to be sterilised even if not used in the last 24/48 hours?!

Depends how much expressed milk you want. I'm only trying to get one extra feed out per day, so I pick after her morning feed when she usually goes 3hrs between feeds. Otherwise I pump while Dad gives her a bottle in the evening. If you're trying to build a stash in alongside BF, then I would get a cheap wearable (wren/momcozy/etc) and put that on the other boob while she feeds. You'll only get 1-2oz at a time maybe, but that'll build up quickly over a day! And it means you can still pump while out the house.

@Chloe once the pump is used, you can pop it in the fridge and keep using the pump for 24hrs. Yes you will need to wash (fairy liquid is perfectly fine) and sterilise it daily, or between uses if not kept in the fridge. Personally I wouldn't get too caught up in how long it remains sterile for, as long as it's clean. Babies put their sleeves in their mouths, we put our nipples in their mouths, and none of those things are sterile. I store my sterilised parts in a sterilised airtight container and might not use it for a week or two, but i don't freshly sterilise because I know it's clean.

I put a haakaa on whichever boob I’m not breastfeeding off during nighttime feeds, overtime my collection has built up so I end up with 120 - 150ml by morning and I don’t have to do anything for it except put it on my boob! It’s great cause it catches the milk you would have lost through leakage and also the let down. Would highly recommend

You can use the pump to drain your boobs once baby has taken what they want from the feed x