Expert: ruth kraft - 2/23/2009

Question
I've returned to work last week full time and have the intention to supply baby with pumped milk while I'm at work.  I have a two month old who feeds on one breast per session every three or four hours so I'm wondering how often I should pump while at work?  I've been pumping / emptying both breasts three times a day (every three hours) and I pump about 18-20 ounces a day to get the hindmilk, this is 8-12 ounces more than baby consumes during day. Over the weekend I don't pump, I exclusively breastfeed and I felt an extra fullness that I usually don't.  This made me wonder if I'm pumping too much?

Answer
You don't say how old your baby is, but if you are pumping 20 ounces I will assume pretty young, within the first few months.

it is possible that you are pumping "too much" and that is why you are getting the fullness. You have a great deal of milk so consider yourself lucky!  

So, you  have a couple options"

You can pump and save and store that extra milk as the baby will go through growth spurts that are often hard for mothers to pump through to get more milk. so when the baby requires more milk, your pumping amount often stays close to the same, and you can use this to make up for it later.

or... you can donate your extra milk to a milk bank for preemie babies who desperately need it.

or... you can stop pumping once a day and see if that doesn't help even out what supply she is drinking vs what you are pumping.

you just have to find out what works best for you :) and if you want info about donating the milk for sick babies, let me know and I will help you get it :)

I hope that helped!
Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com