When to Start Pumping | DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES!

Answering this common question, when do you break out the breast pump??? It's not a simple answer as everyone has a little bit different situation and needs, but here's where we start!
Mentioned Resources
--- Video: STOP PUMPING | Why too many moms are pumping too much • IBCLC rant about TOO M...
--- Video: 5 Reasons NOT to Pump • 5 Reasons NOT TO PUMP ...
--- Video: What to expect the first week of breastfeeding • What to Expect BREASTF...
-- Courses: Breastfeeding and Pumping Courses Available Here -- www.newlittlelife.com/courses
#ibclc #breastpump #breastfeeding
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0:00 When to Start Pumping
0:30 Different Scenarios
1:10 Exclusively Pumping
1:33 Premature or NICU Baby
2:17 Healthy, full-term baby
3:24 Why wait???
5:27 Do you HAVE to pump?
6:24 Going back to work
7:15 Freezer Stash?!
9:26 Final Thoughts

[@margritduckwitz88]

Slightly different perspective here. I have been building a small stash of milk in the freezer starting a week after birth. I don’t have a high pump output yet so I got 1-2 oz every pump and I just added that up every day. Baby is now 1 month old and I have 12 oz in the freezer and usually 3-6 oz in the fridge. While it requires quite a bit of coordination, I love the fact that it enables me to leave my son with dad for 2 hours to do grocery shopping, go to a doctor appt, have quality 1:1 time with my older kids, etc. I also found that a small stash in the beginning helped me get through a few very rough cluster feeding days. Baby would be on the breast for hours and it was so helpful being able to have dad give him an oz in the bottle so I could shower or focus on self care.

[@Stephanie-ez8fs]

Can I ask how early you started pumping after baby was born?

[@ashley1790]

I'm one of those moms that started combo feeding asap, and my baby latched well and was basically a poster child for breastfeeding. It was BEYOND stressful. You explained it perfectly. Thank you!!! Now I know I don't have to start right away my second who's due any day now 😊

[@eerenay]

I never focused on building a freezer stash. I am completely ok with my baby having formula when the breastmilk runs out. I've been back at work full time for about 2 months now and I am pleasantly surprised how great our system works. There seems to always be 24 hours worth of milk in the fridge if I keep to my pumping schedule. I'm really glad I didn't waste my time feeding the freezer during my too short maternity leave.

[@MizzC625]

How did you do it?!

[@Yooncelebtarot]

I’m the same. I didn’t focus on a freezer stash. I don’t have enough freezer space but I had enough milk to make it to a year and a half.

[@swiftguatemalanchili2301]

Same! When I first started going back to work we just gave him Formula and I pumped at work. Now it’s like there is always enough breast milk .

[@rachaelcandee2782]

We had issues and had to do "triple feeding" and its important for folks to know the mental strain of nursing, bottle feeding and pumping. We get so focused on these big freezer stashes but the true story is most moms have maybe a day or 2 worth of milk and that is totally 100% awesome. I felt like such a failure because I didn't have 1000 oz of milk. I thought it would make me feel more comfortable and instead it made me more anxious.

[@NewLittleLife]

Thank you so much for sharing this! 💕

[@alexiatrott2714]

This is me right now. My anxiety got so bad the first pediatrician visit after they said she lost too much weight, and she hasn’t been latching properly so I started pumping but she is soothed when trying to breastfeed, but I don’t feel like I’m producing enough so I caved in and supplemented formula even though I really didn’t want to. It’s crazy with the anxiety and recovery

[@elizabethkennedy4427]

Pumping immediately works best for me! I nursed my youngest for the 6 months that I wanted to and pumped the whole time. I needed to get some milk in the freezer and keep my supply up. I found it much easier to drop a pump or skip one if needed rather than adding them or trying to increase my supply

[@katiemiller5199]

Thank you so much for this video. After researching and watching your videos from day 1 of my pregnancy I had a solid plan, I bought the right pump, and I even had my birth instructions for the 3 golden hours I was planning to have with my daughter when she was born so I could just concentrate on establishing breastfeeding. Unfortunately things don’t always go to plan. I had preeclampsia and an emergency c section at 36 weeks. She was on NICU for a week and I was too unwell from the magnesium treatment to even see her for the first couple of days. I ended up hand expressing my colostrum from my hospital bed and the student midwife walked it up to NICU for her feeding tube. When my transition milk started to come in I pumped what I could and sent it up to the ward. When I was well enough I went to visit her and tried the breast - she latched straight away but as she had lost a lot of weight we still needed to feed her formula though the tube and eventually bottle when she was old enough. My aim was to breast bottle and pump at every 3 hour feed. I was still recovering myself and this was just an unrealistic expectation - at the time I felt very guilty that I was not there for her every feed and I wasn’t pumping when I “needed” to. Fast forward to 4 weeks and she is doing really well. We have been doing breast and formula top up at every feed and her weight is looking really good now. I’ve tried just seeing how I get on with just the boob but she is still too hungry not o have the formula after the feed. Rather than focusing on the fact that I haven’t managed to produce enough milk that she needs for each feed I remind myself how amazing it is that she can still have a really good feed on my boob and how much of a benefit this is for her health. My plan is to increase my milk supply so that I can eventually cut back on the formula top ups and I know that this requires a good pumping schedule. I will get there but I think it’s important that we are still kind to ourselves.

[@ashleybutler2545]

This was me almost o a T. I was 38 weeks, though. I pumped so much at the hospital and my production was NEVER much. I breastfed and supplemented and TRIED everything to increase my supply through pumping and ended up spinning my wheels and feeling like SUCH a failure. :( I ended up nursing with what I could provide until he self-weaned in lieu of formula at 11 months.

[@edq2477]

Hi Allison, thank you so much for all your helpful videos. If you get a chance, would you be able to do a video about hand expression as an alternative (or complement) to pumping? I'm finding it works better for me but not seeing nearly the amount of information out there about hand expression (technique, optimizing output, etc) as there is about pumping. Thanks!

[@heathermaker3797]

Thank you so much for your videos! I really appreciate them.

[@alvahuang]

I wish i saw this when i first started the breastfeeding journey. I would have held off on so many things to establish the r/s with my son about latching. It was exhausting doing latching, pumping and bottle feeding. I didn't get any sleep and that didn't help supply at all. Will keep this in mind if i ever get a chance to breastfeed w a second kid!

[@jjdrama]

Thanks for your informative video sharing your opinions but still validating alternative ways of doing things.

[@brittney0509]

My plan was to incorporate pumping right away because of low supply with my previous baby. I tried triple feeds and worked closely with an IBCLC and was never able to produce enough. I supplemented with 1 bottle of formula as the donor milk was getting too pricey. I want to make sure I establish a strong supply upfront and I’m hoping that will help. I will be advising another IBCLC in the hospital and see what she thinks. Hopefully it’s the same one I had before as she knows my struggles and it wasn’t long ago that we worked together. Last baby was born in May of last year and I’m due with another November 4th. I’m not sure if having pcos is what affects my supply.

[@allyo.318]

thank you for making this video it gave me peace of mind. I dont need to stash too much milk. I think I have four days worth of milk. I'm always w my baby and I don't start school until four months so I'm just going to pump once a day and enjoy napping w my baby :)

[@itzelmonroe9195]

Thanks for be so honest ❤

[@fawntheresa5338]

I have flat nipples and it really messed up breastfeeding my first child, I had a shield and then a well meaning friend misplaced that shield being sure that I didn't really need it and then had the hardest time finding one that worked with my daughter so I switched to pumping but never got my milk flow to a place that would support her. That friend was a lactation consultant and I'm hoping to find a different one this time around

[@ItsMeMissRuby]

The thing I’m finding difficult to get answers on is managing a pumping/nursing schedule for donating milk. This is my 3rd child. Though I endured many struggles with my first 2 (tongue/lip ties & thrush) I learned a lot and was able to successfully breastfeed them past 1 year each as a work from home mom. So when I ran into similar struggles this time around, instead of nursing through it, I decided to start pumping and bottlefeeding as I worked out the issues with my babies latch. It’s only been 2 1/2 weeks and I almost have a freezer full of milk… Baby is gaining weight and we are picking up nursing sessions since we got her ties released. But now that I see how much milk I can produce, I’d like to start donating in a couple of months, but it’s hard finding content giving tips on maintaining a proper pumping schedule for milk donation with a breastfeeding baby. Seems like we are doing OK so far, but, I want to make sure I’m doing this right.

[@bgirl0184j]

I love this advise but women do what your body is telling you what to do. With my first daughter I tried not to pump at all but she began to cluster feed and it effected me mentally because I was not able to rest. So part of me wished I wasn’t so stubborn and introduced a pump sooner, because once my husband was able to help it helped me as well. So I say that to say this get all the advice that will help you navigate through this delicate stage in your life but don’t be afraid to follow your gut. Don’t be so hard on yourself you can plan all you want but things change so leave room for that as well 😊.

[@sjulliette]

Would you want to combination feed if you're having twins?

[@elliwesishawkins4799]

Baby is 5 weeks and I just started introducing pumping. Before this, I kinda was testing the pump but I never felt like I had enough extra to really do much with it because anything that got pumped was ate at the next feeding but usually I’d be empty after each feeding so I would worry so much about pumping. In the past week I’ve been pumping once every other day and still enough for the next feeding so the pumped kills stays in the fridge until much later at night when I’m empty and today has been the first day I pumped about 3oz total extra between 3 different sessions after feedings and since hubby stays awake later than me that’ll (hopefully) be enough for babies night feeding so I can sleep while he is watching the baby vs usually I at least have to wake up to feed. Maturnity leave ends after 8 weeks so I got like 2-3 weeks to get just a 24 hour extra for when I got back to work and work out a schedule for pumping at work

[@NewLittleLife]

I would LOVE to chat through this with you! Here a link to our calendar 💙 www.newlittlelifelessons.com/pumping-for-working-moms-application

[@hildaleyva5035]

Experiencing the feed plus pump stress right now 😢 I didn’t have a choice since Ped said I needed to so baby can gain weight.

[@NewLittleLife]

It’s exhausting, hang in there. Hopefully it’s temporary 💙

[@post-athlete7625]

You mention that introducing the pump too early can cause more problems than they solve, but what are exceptions to that, where it solves more problems than it causes? Eg if the baby is struggling so much to latch that they’re not transferring enough milk to maintain a healthy weight and avoid dehydration, being able to have your partner take over a few feeds a day so you can get rest, or the baby is so fussy at the breast that it becomes extremely stressful for mom? Is there a scenario where it could be beneficial to pump for the first few weeks to maintain supply and feed the baby and just nurse for mom and baby to practice the skills needed for successful, non-stressful breastfeeding?

[@nilkahall8430]

So my son is 17 months and I excuse breast fees however we are going on an overnight trip and he is not able to come with us I've never been a pump user however I am not planning to stop breastfeeding how often should I pump? Should I start now between feeds?

[@aprilmckeown7229]

I'm 39w, have midwife approval to pump. I've been pumping about 40ml of colostrum a day since Sunday. Should I stop pumping once baby arrives? I want to BF and pump so partner can feed baby. Also, my maternity leave isn't super long so just wanting to be proactive.

[@anastasiakester8771]

I have healthy baby, however he had a hard time latching the first few days so, LC recommended nipple shield and it’s much better. She never mentioned that I shouldn’t pump right away and when I asked, she said if that works just keep doing it. It’s very confusing because lots of mixed info :( I’m two weeks pp, I’ve been mostly breastfeeding, however I pump when he only takes one breast and bottle feed (at night, so my partner can help). Yes it’s a lot, but I think I’m getting the hang of it. I started using Hakka yesterday instead of pumping. My question is, other than it’s a lot, will that lead to mastitis? Thats what im really worried about and may mess up my milk production.

[@NewLittleLife]

It’s so much to juggle, I know! Sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Follow up with your LC if you need, she knows your whole story! Do you plan on mostly feeding at the breast or will you be pumping more later on?

[@anastasiakester8771]

@@NewLittleLife thanks Allison! The plan is to breastfeed as much as I could & as long as I can, then most likely pump exclusively later on. At the moment, I pump so I don’t get breast engorgement (especially when baby is only feeding on one breast) & to have a little extra in the fridge so, my partner can help with feeding using bottles at night or while I’m unavailable.

[@bellamanriquez7912]

A quick question, the main reason i want to breast pump is so others can help feed the baby. Kinda to ease the load especially at night. Does exlusive pumping, breast feeding or combination work best for this particular reason?

[@NewLittleLife]

The only thing I caution here, is that even if someone feeds the baby for you, you’ll likely still need to remove milk to protect your supply. For some people, pumping at night is easier than breastfeeding, but for others it’s more work.

[@MrJorgenzz]

*I am having my 4th baby in max 7weeks! Can I use a vacume "pump" on the sidede I don't breastfeed? and then opiset the next time?? Like from the beginning I was going to breastfeed and pump, but was thinking maybe I could try that first? I want this since it is hard to only breastfeed with 3 other kids at home, I also want to spend some time with them amd want the dad to be a part of the feesing aswell. -Katarina*

[@RB-ve4gd]

In a same-sex relationship, if you are planning on co-nursing, when would you recommend the gestational mother starts pumping? We were told it should be from birth to establish supply - do you agree with this? Thank you - your videos are so helpful.

[@NewLittleLife]

Yes I do agree! The gestational mother should start pumping within the first couple hours and continue on from there :)

[@erikalorenzen9416]

I have a 12 week maternity leave and plan to pump toward the end of leave in preparation for pumping at work. However, my husband is interested in feeding the baby to develop a close relationship with her so that makes me feel pressured to start pumping asap 😅 anyone else have this issue? I love the idea, it just seems tough

[@NewLittleLife]

It does add a level of difficulty pumping to replace a feed while still breastfeeding, but we help manage a schedule and expectations like this quite often with members in our program. I know it can be overwhelming trying to figure it out all on your own! Do you want some help?

[@Alykat33]

I’m wishing I never started pumping either. I started as soon as I got home when my breastfeeding has gone perfect

[@daniw888]

You mentioned that if you don’t want to pump at all, then don’t. BUT isn’t it important to empty your breast with every feeding to not cause engorgement? What if baby isn’t emptying the breast for you…would you recommend pumping then just to empty them out?

[@NewLittleLife]

Good question! No, you don’t need to empty your breast if you’re breastfeeding. The baby should be able to do what needs to be done (assuming things are going well there). If you pump after feeding, you will likely create an oversupply which can be difficult to manage. Trust the process! Biology will work well if you let it and will be less stress for you 💕

[@daniw888]

@@NewLittleLife Thank you 🥰

[@swiftguatemalanchili2301]

@@NewLittleLife stress is a real supply Killer it’s crazy, I stoped worrying about my supply and just did skin to skin when cosleeping, and pump at work and I power pump once in a while

[@maliaferrozzo435]

My ultimate plan for Baby #2 is to exclusively pump. Mainly because it seems to be the right fit for my life due to having a toddler, a short-maternity leave, and needing other people to feed baby. I do however, want to have the "experience" of actually breastfeeding this Baby even if its just a couple times in the hospital before going to exclusively pumping. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you!

[@NewLittleLife]

That sounds lovely. You can absolutely breastfeed in the beginning for as long as you want and switch to pumping when it suits you. How can I support you? Short maternity leaves are tricky, if you want some help maximizing it efficiently please let me know! That’s what I do 💙

[@maliaferrozzo435]

@@NewLittleLife I appreciate the support and feedback! As you suggested in the video, I was going to start pumping as soon as I gave birth, but would enjoy that breastfeeding experience. The pumping would be priority and the BF would be for experience, so I am wondering if you have any suggestions on a plan for day of birth that I could follow?

[@NewLittleLife]

We have a step by step guide to pumping inside our Pumpimg for Working Moms Program if you want! You will also have access to me and another lactation/pumping expert through your whole experience. If you want to chat with us about it, we sure can! When are you due?

[@maliaferrozzo435]

@@NewLittleLife ok I will check out your playlist as well! I am due in 2 weeks! (Aug 26)

[@teeHOLLY24]

Having trouble with latching but would like to pump to for baby. He’s not quite a week old and latching has been quite defeating….Any advice to jump into pumping?

[@nechamabell6214]

What about pumping to keep the oversupply of milk instead of leaking everywhere or being engorged? Haakah is great but it's annoying to use all the time...

[@NewLittleLife]

Oversupply comes with problems too.. if that’s your goal, you could certainly use the pump. But don’t make that goal lightly! Keeping up with an oversupply and avoiding the problems it comes with isn’t always easy. The engorgement will resolve and your milk will even out to what baby needs. You won’t deal with it for long! Hope that answers your question.

[@nechamabell6214]

@@NewLittleLife I heard that if you pump, it creates more supply. With my other kids it took months before my milk evened out...do I just pump every time I leak and give away the extra stash or is there a way I could keep just the oversupply without making more milk?

[@NewLittleLife]

The more milk you remove, the more milk you’ll make, so just keep that in mind in how much “extra” you decide to remove. If you continually remove more than your baby is eating, you’ll keep making that extra milk until you stop removing it (in theory)

[@nechamabell6214]

So basically I should remove enough to unclog ducts and catch the leaking but if I remove more than that, I'm going to constantly be making more?

[@NewLittleLife]

It will likely even out eventually. If you just focus on feeding baby, things will likely take a very natural course! Then address anything that comes up one thing at a time :) using the haakaa once a day won’t cause a huge oversupply. Pumping often in the early weeks will. Don’t stress too much, the natural process work well if you don’t mess with it too much!

[@lizphone3822]

Will exclusively pumping help with postpartum depression?

[@NewLittleLife]

I’m afraid not.

[@chardilizelabuschagne]

I'm in South Africa and unfortunately in the government hospital they do not allow you to pump and use bottels for the time you are in the hospital they force you to breast feed. Unless your baby is in the nicu

[@17joemi]

Hi! Can somebody tell me how and where I can rent a Medela symphony breast pump??

[@NewLittleLife]

Look up any medical supply companies in your area. Sometimes pharmacies have them available too. Also try googling “Medela symphony rental in *your area*” and see what comes up. Sometimes IBCLCs do rentals

[@beckp5456]

My hospital had them available

[@gracecarol4854]

If I’m already having a problem (namely low supply), why not wish for the alternate problem which would result in sufficient milk for my baby…? -A bitter mom who could hardly nurse or pump enough for my baby bc someone told me not to start pumping in the beginning even tho my baby had both lip and tongue tie

[@NewLittleLife]

I know the grass always seems greener on the other side, and enough milk for your baby is definitely the goal for everyone! In case it wasn’t clear, I was recommended to wait on pumping if breastfeeding is going well. A tongue and/or lip tie definitely warrants adding in the pump earlier than usual to help protect that milk supply. I’m so sorry you struggled so much and I’m sorry you got poor advice in the beginning. I understand your bitterness 💙

[@gracecarol4854]

@@NewLittleLife❤❤

[@Avm918]

How about full time working moms?

[@NewLittleLife]

When to start kinda just depends on when you have to go back! More info in the video 👍🏼

[@MizzC625]

At week 2 I’m only producing 1/2 an ounce per breast… he takes 3… what do you recommend if I’d like to exclusively BF right now?

[@NewLittleLife]

I would meet with a lactation consultant to come up with a plan!

[@jennaalexis89]

What do you do though if your newborn just keeps falling asleep at the breast and unable to empty the breasts?

[@flatebinginneh5048]

The million dollars question I would love to have an answer for that

[@victoriareyes5748]

How do we transition from breast to bottle? What if baby won't take a bottle but mom has to go back to work?

[@sw33tnycandy]

I know this question is super old but a breastfed baby you need to take a bottle is... 1. Choose the right nipple for your child, all bottle designs aren't the same but you want to look for a wide neck bottle and use a nipple marked 0-1 max. 2.Pace feed also meaning every 1-2oz consumed stop, burp, change baby then continue to feed. The entire bottle feed should take about the same time span as a nursing session

[@victoriareyes5748]

@@sw33tnycandy thank you. We ended up just starting with bottles and me pumping. Latching issues but we are doing our best.

[@caitlankelly4367]

How do breastfeeding mothers get help with baby when the baby only sleeps on you? I need help but without milk stash I can’t receive any.

[@NewLittleLife]

I know it is so hard. I’ve been there. A milk stash isn’t your only way to get help. Feeding might be on you, but ask for help in other things. Diaper changes, someone else for baby to sleep on, anything you can think of! I know it’s a tough spot to be in 💙

[@gracechiang7881]

Can you hack this breast pump using different cups from another pump? Like the tech but would love if Spectra made a cup that fits in a bra.

[@safa5033]

Spectra has Cara cups.

[@EDME86]

For all the cambodian women, don't worry about over stashing. Does anyone understand that joke? My wife is 100% gonna have a ton ton of extra milk

[@saram2606]

I'm a mommy of a preemie and I really don't like when you say preterm ill babies. Preterm doesnt necessarily mean ill especially if they're late preterm. The full term window has and will change over time. Please be more empathetic towards preemie babies and their moms.

[@NewLittleLife]

Thank you for your thoughts. You’re correct, there is a wide range of scenarios of different varieties! If I didn’t says “preterm or ill babies”, that was probably the intent, not necessarily lumping the two together. Thanks for the comment 💙