Since Claire has been born, she has eaten every three hours. Without fail. With the exception of nighttime, of course.
So, naturally, I have pumped every 3 hours. Always.
Now that she's eating solids, she is not eating as much breast milk. She will have about 6oz when she has a bottle {every 3-4hrs}. First off, is that normal?? Is she supposed to be eating less milk as she has solids introduced into her diet? My guess would be yes.
Also, I feel like I am overproducing milk. I don't know how to "wean" pumping sessions, without getting engorged!
Am I supposed to go 4hrs in between sessions now? I pump about 5oz every 3 hours. So, if I go 4hrs, I pump about 6-7oz. I don't need that much milk! How do I minimize my supply? If that's even what I'm supposed to do?
Any tips or suggestions would be so appreciated. I'm obviously new at this. lol.
Bästa smarta hem-hubben – Homey pro!
1 week ago
Nursing is supply and demand. If you start going 4 hours between pumping sessions, after a few days your supply will decrease once this is the new routine.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I LOVE the new header! Adorable!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question, yes, as babies eat more solids, they will drink less & less milk. Kind of natue's way of weaning them I guess.
I had the same problem both times when I tried to stop pumping so much. I produce a lot of milk & always ended up engorged too. My best advice would be when you pump next time don't pump quite as much as you normally would. In other words, don't pump until you're totally empty. Think of it as the same way a nursing baby will stop when she's full & not necessarily when you are empty. You may still feel really full at first, but after a couple times your body will understand that it doesn't need to make as much & eventually the production will slow down.
Then once you aren't making as much, you can obviously go a little longer between pumping sessions.
I hope this helps! Let me know if I didn't make sense!
You'll find as Claire eats more solids she'll take less milk sessions and often get more when she does have it. I nursed until my little man was 12 months 1 week . . .and yes, as her demands decrease your milk supply should adjust itself. I used to pump twice a day (lunch and when I got home) when he was really little but then I was able to do once a day . . .If you feel too full, you can "wean" yourself to stretch out the time, but usually our bodies and supply learn to adjust. :)
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't really have anything else to add. The other ladies covered it pretty well ;) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, ladies! This helps a ton!
ReplyDelete@Jessica, thanks, I'm glad you like the header :) I needed something different & a recent pic of her!
WOW...I just read the comment and there is some great advice but Rhonda you are being a little harsh here...she was asking for advice...that is what she is suppose to do to try and find the best way to do things. I'm sure she has read up on it. It is always nice to know how other people do it though.
ReplyDeleteSorry I had to say something...
For me, I always produced way more milk than what my daughter needed. When she was born (3 1/2 weeks early) she didn't have a sucking reflex so I had to pump....when my milk came in I was getting 10-12oz every 4 hours! Talk about being a cow...I was a heffer! After she learned how to latch on my supply leveled off but it took a little time. When I went back to work it was nice to have that supply but not everyone needs all that milk.
I would not pump as long if you are going to pump every three hours and I would try to go every 4 hours if possible...I understand being engorged is not fun at all throughout the time I nursed my daughter I had clogged milk ducts 6 times...ouch! It always got worked out though and never turned to mastitis...so just be careful when you do try to go longer...you know your body and if you can't go the full 4 hours it's ok...try next time :D
You are a great momma....keep it up!
Emileigh
http://thebuchingers.blogspot.com
I don't have any advice because I'm not a Mama yet but I just noticed your new header and I had to say something because it is absolutely ADORABLE! I can NOT get over how photogenic and precious and beautiful Claire is! I love it!! She's definitely the prettiest Claire I know! (er- okay how about know of since I don't personally know her!) ha!
ReplyDeleteThe first couple of days of weaning I would pump my normal schedule but would only pump long enough to not feel engorged (maybe 5 minutes). After that I slowly dropped sessions and decreased my time as well. My advice is to take it slow; I did it over a 3-4 week period and never felt any pain!
ReplyDeleteI have not weaned before because with baby #1 I had gotten pregnant with #2 so my supply just tanked on its own!! You are a milk producing machine...I can tell my supply is dying down now that Luke goes 4-5 hours between feedings, so I think just longer breaks between feedings will help to adjust the flowage haha!! Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I wish I could help... I'll have to have my sister look up your blog and give you some tips ;) But we just started a new blog and would LOVE if you became our newest blog friend and follower!
ReplyDeletetrulie-scrumptious.blogspot.com
hope to see you soon, and good luck!
awesome advice from all the ladies, the only thing I'd like to add is that msybe for a few days you can try to express either by hnd or pump only to relieve a bit of engorgement when its bad. So don't pump what you normally would. just enough to relieve the pressure
ReplyDelete