Going back to work/pumping to maintain supply

[nicolejshannon]

Hi. Heading back to work tomorrow. I'll be able to pump while there with no issues. I already have supply issues so I don't want to hurt my supply. Question is, how often should I pump to maintain the supply? Do I pump every two hours like how I feed dd at home? Or just a few times a day? Any help/advice appreciated!
Thanks!

[colin-mylilguy]

If you can pump more often, I would. The more often the breasts are emptied, the more quickly they will make more milk. When in doubt, pump/breastfeed more often!

Do you have a good double electric pump? Hospital grade is best for those who are working with a low supply. Are you taking any herbs/meds to increase supply? Fenugreek & Blessed Thistle can really help, when taken together, to increase supply. Kellymom.com has info on both of these herbs.

Also, make sure your care provider is feeding your LO like a breastfed baby would eat. Kellymom.com has a great link on how to bottle feed the breastfed baby, which is really helpful.

Best wishes!

[Mamakat1234]

You should pump as often as your daughter nurses and always do both boobs! I highly recommend getting a pumping bra for this. Right now, I pump 4 times a day as that's how much my daughter eats at daycare. We do have to supplement though as I can't pump as much as she eats.

[seacat]

A good rule of thumb is every three hours to maintain supply and every two hours to build supply. Steel cut oatmeal and water helps out a lot.