Breastfeeding ... Back to work and not pumping enough | ExpatWoman.com
 

Breastfeeding ... Back to work and not pumping enough

96
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 07:23

I returned to work yesterday after a 12 week maternity leave.

I started pumping and storing milk in the freezer a week ago.

My son consumed 12 oz of milk while I was away (from 8:30am to 5:30pm)
Everytime I pump, I only get around 2 to 3 oz of milk in total from both breasts. I currently use the medela swing and noticed yesterday that it was too time consuming. I would like to invest in a double pump but feel let down since there are moments where my pump won't extract a drop of milk:(.

Can you please help me! I don't want to give up so easily.

2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 10:37
just a thought, you could always buy a second medela swing and use them both at the same time, might be cheaper than buying a double pump since you have one already?
477
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 09:44
hi laydeelay, i returned to work in june and during my first week back the volume of milk i got with pumping at the office was terrifying. i realised that it had to do with the environment (at home i was more relaxed, had DS with me, no distractions and lets face it - you're very conscious of pumping at work). i also had a good stash in the freezer which helped but i had to do something. i made sure i had pictures, or even video clips, of DS on my phone to look at whilst pumping. i watched the clock and 15mins or so before i was due to pump i started winding down, getting into pumping-mode. i also have the medela swing and it felt like pumping took forever. i bought a double pump but it was SO noisy that i thought everyone could hear me - another bad pumping day - so i went back to my swing. i added 2 pumping sessions at home, after DS went to bed at night, to stimulate my supply and build up the freezer stash. that helped a lot! before i knew it, my mind was at ease, my body was relaxed and i was overall so used to pumping at work that the volume increased dramatically. even with the swing, it only takes 30mins max to pump from both breasts now. DS will be 8 months next week and i've been pumping (successfully) at work since june. breastfeed at any and every opportunity you get and only give a bottle when really necessary. relax, take your time and good luck! HTH
 
 

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