Start pumping when baby is already 4+ months old?

cafelate

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 12:36

Hello ladies,
My son is already 4 months 10 days old, and on Exclusive breast milk, Both of us are happy and enjoying it to the max. However it's time to go back to work within 2-3 weeks, i will be working for about 9 hours daily, and i really want to continue in breast feeding. Alredy i start introducing solid but very small amount and very slowly, i.e : tasting more than feeding.
Do you think it's possible to start pumping at this time or its very late ? Is 2 weeks period is enough to start my son on Expessed milk, add to this i've tried to give him the bottle and he didnt figure out how to suck and got fussy about it.
One more question regarding the pump, i will be using it for 2 times at work, so Is Medela swing enough for that or shall i get double pump ?
Any advice or experience will be very appreciated.

cafelate

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 20:11

Kiwispiers as usual you are the best in this field, how lucky we are to have you in this forum. Regarding the donation program, as I said its really good idea.

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kiwispiers15400

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 19:48

Oh one more thing regarding the human milk, im Muslim and in Islam we must know the donor of the milk since by Islam if the child recieves 3 filling meals by diffrent woman, this woman will consider his mother by feeding. This means he cant marry her or her daughters since they will be his sisters. However it's super great idea as long as who will know she is donating to who. I thought of sharing this info since the topic is brought :) I know many muslim women do partake in the program, I'm not sure how it works specifically but I'm sure you could meet the donor(s), some women even avoid certain things in their diet if they know its for a specific baby.

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kiwispiers15400

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 19:46

I don't see why it would be too late, you've been breastfeeding so your supply itself should be well established. Friends of mine who pump often have found they get better letdown if they pump one side while feeding the baby on the other, I never tried that myself but could be worth a go. I did find when pumping that the first few times I got almost nothing so don't be too discouraged if that happens. You never know, I had a friend who could pump an entire day's worth of bottles in one 20 minute session a day!! Some babies don't like to bottle-feed and end up "reverse cycling" basically not feeding much by day and instead feeding more often at night when the breast is available. This is entirely healthy but could be tiring, depending on how easily you fall back to sleep. Good luck hope the transition is as smooth as possible!

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cafelate

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 19:46

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cafelate

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 19:31

Ilovewine and kiwispiers, im really thankfull for the great tips. Many people were telling me its too late and better to star formula, but I really want to try my best. I dont know anyone who can let his pump so I will buy new one hopefully by tomorrow and will let my husband to offer the bottle. Im not sure about my let down, but usually it takes 7-15 minutes to finish the nursing, I read alot of reviews that it will take 20- 30 min by pumping, I hope it will be one of the lucky ones that finish faster. I will keep you ubdated.

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kiwispiers15400

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 15:18

Can you borrow a pump to try before you buy, personally if I needed to pump often I would buy a double pump, because I'm one of those women who has a slower letdown and doesn't really respond well to the pump at all and I'd really value the time it would save. Other mums can pump what seems like gallons within minutes so its not such an issue. It will probably take some time to transition to the bottle ILW gives some good suggestions, it might be easier for your baby to accept that when you are not there they take the bottle and when you are they get the breast. If your baby sleeps a good stretch from bedtime until early morning then you might be able to fit in a pumping session before you go to bed,(like around 9:30) rather than just pumping leftovers after each feed. I found this more convenient as I could relax and watch TV while I pumped, instead of pumping while looking after my baby. Initially you might not get much, as your body isn't used to producing milk at that time but with time it should get better. There is also a network of mums in the UAE who donate their breastmilk, if you'd prefer to avoid formula and don't seem able to initially pump enough. Google "human milk for human babies UAE".

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ilovewine

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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 12:59

two weeks is definitely enough to start pumping to build up a stash in the freezer, but then you have to pump after every feed. keep on trying with the bottle - perhaps get your husband to feed your baby while you leave the room. your baby can smell the real thing on you and may reject the bottle because thereof. we battled a little bit but then DS took the bottle with MIL and from there on it was smooth sailing. i pump twice at work and i use the medela swing. i bought a double pump but it is so noisy, so now i use that at home and the swing at work. it depends on your circumstances, your office and your milk supply. my office is very supportive, so even when i take a little longer some times, they dont mind. mind you, my pumping sessions are 30mins each - so it's really not that long at all. good luck! it really is worth pumping at work x

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