Pumping advise

Pumping when your milk first comes in is really good because you have so much of it! I ended up using the hospital pump on the ward after 3 days as he wasn’t latching, and that worked pretty well. Any good pump should be fine, but I’d recommend hospital grade, and probably one that you have to hold (like a Tommy Tippee electric pump) to start with as it allows you to direct the flow of milk. I have a second hand Elvie hands free pump now, but it’s nowhere near as effective (though is pretty good in terms of ease of use).

Guidance is actually not to pump until 6 weeks cos it can result in a massive oversupply and issues with mastitis etc

It takes 6 weeks for them to regulate supply.

Using formula before bed will also impact your supply.

You will have the most milk in the morning. When you wake up put the pump on one side and feed baby on the other and switch sides mid way through. Having baby latch at the same time will help with the letdown 😉

I always pumped whilst breastfeeding, then the let down is stronger too x
Pump on the other breast and feed baby from the other

Depending on how regularly they feed id pump 30 minutes to an hour after they have latched. You'll get 1 to 2 oz max combined after a feed so dont make the little you get shock you.

If youre giving formula before bed, pump a full 20 to 30 minute session then. Any time you give a bottle instead of a feed pump. Theyre 2 weeks so youll probably get between 2 to 3 oz combined if its been 3 hours. The average women makes 5oz combined once regulated which is around 6 weeks. Anymore and youre an oversupplier

Every situation and body is different. The hospital lactation consultants had me hand expressing right away and then pumping by the 3rd day . I did not get much at first but I kept going and it worked out.

If you’re worried about being overwhelmed, I was advised by a doctor to pump after every feed even if it’s for 5 minutes and then you can work your way up. Getting a hands free pump might feel less taxing as well. It will allow you to use your hands to do other things or to be mobile.

Pumping doesn’t take away milk from the baby because the more milk is either pumped or drank by the baby, the more the body produces. Just drink a lot of water to help the process.