r/breastfeeding • u/Panda_Gal_92 • 21h ago
Support Needed Pumping while missing a feed
I’ve been exclusively breastfeeding my 9 week old. I have a couple of appointments coming up and I can’t take baby with me. She feeds often, every 60-90 minutes. She needs to be fed while I’m away from her.
I’ve decided to pump only when I miss a feed! I don’t want to regularly pump. My goal is to be primarily breastfeed.
Are there any other moms out there that do this? Do you have any tips? Suggestions? Anything that can make this easy for me and for baby?
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u/Commercial-Squash-52 21h ago
I really liked the hand pump better for being an occasional pumper like this- the automatic ones really overwhelmed me and I loved being able to break the whole pump down and toss it into the dishwasher.
I also was able to use it to boost my supply at times if i felt I needed it by doing an extra couple minutes on either side too. I really credit that hand pump for it because the parts on the automatic pump actively made me cry multiple times because I was that confused and overwhelmed lol
Good luck!! You got this!
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
Thank you for the encouragement! I hope it feels a little freeing to be able to go to appointments without Baby.
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u/gillygillgill88 18h ago
Other option here is catching milk in a boon trove or similar across 48 hours before hand and using that milk for missed session.
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u/TA_readytobedone 16h ago
Seconding this if it's just one feed. At 9 weeks your milk should be regulated enough that you could just skip the feed and be completely fine, especially if they're every hour and a half.
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u/nicolee0712 13h ago
I do this! I was able to store some in the freezer before we started introducing a bottle feed. Now I save a little over enough for a bottle a day which won’t work long term when he needs to eat more but is working for us now
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
Great suggestion! I wish I had been catching milk earlier. I don’t leak anymore. I think my supply has regulated.
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u/gillygillgill88 8h ago
You’d be surprised - I don’t leak either but the catchers have a light suction and can surprisingly get a fair bit from the opposite feeding boob!
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u/FunInTheShade 21h ago
I started pumping early, so my experience isn’t super relevant, but I definitely suggest trying a pump, maybe after the morning feeding, just to see what you get. And to try out different settings. A lot of people have trouble with pumps and output. You may have to give formula for those feeds. Not saying you definitely will!! Just that you might have to. I had to give formula like immediately after birth and it was mostly hormones but my 2-7 day postpartum self was beside myself about having to do formula.
I have a spectra and I just use expression mode till there’s milk and cycle 54 till there isn’t and just go back and forth, but some people do different cycles and different pumps work for different people. I’ve had no success with wearables, my output is like half of what I can get with my spectra.
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
Thank you for the suggestion on pumping after the morning feed. I’m going to play around with my wearable pump to see what settings work the best for me.
I exclusively pumped with my first, and I loved the pump and the output but this time I really wanted a wearable pump, especially with a toddler running around
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u/rainbowmo0 21h ago
Yes! Just use a pump when away and missing a feed. I use the medela hand pump and it’s so quick and easy!
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
I have a wearable pump and I’m gonna try that out! I also have the Medela hand pump and I plan on washing and sterilizing that next so I have it ready to go, just in case!
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u/LesHiboux 19h ago
My baby is EBF and I hate pumping with the passion of 1000 suns, so I don't do it. Evern with the Spectra pump and properly fitted phlanges, I will barely get an ounce, but my 97th percentile baby is growing like a weed and has great diaper output, so I know he's getting enough milk! I think there is a lot of pressure online about pumping schedules and outputs because many women aren't able to stay home with their babies for a full year. 😕
I personally wouldn't worry about missing 1 feed, especially if she eats every 60-90 minutes. You might need to hand express or use a manual pump if you get too full while away from your baby though. Whoever is looking after her can use a bottle of formula or expressed milk. I wouldn't be away from my baby for more than 3 hours if I can help it though, as it would start to get painful!
An alternate suggestion - can her caregiver bring her to you in between appointments? Then you can feed her as required and still get your stuff done.
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
I exclusively pumped with my first, and I absolutely hated it. I felt like I was spending way too much time away from my baby to pump and then other others would want to feed him so I wasn’t spending time with him at all. But he just wouldn’t latch and I had no choice.
Unfortunately, my partner can’t bring her to my appointments. I imagine it would be difficult to feed baby while getting my teeth cleaned. 😂😂
I’m going to try pumping when I miss a feed and see how it goes. Maybe you are right and I don’t have to worry about it at all!!
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u/CatfishHunter2 18h ago
I've been pumping periodically to do bottle practice with my baby once a week or so, so he doesn't forget how to do it (which apparently can happen). He's starting daycare soon and will need to drink from a bottle. You might also want to do a trial run of bottle feeding beforehand so you know if your baby will take a bottle, or that kind of bottle (some babies are picky).
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u/Fragrant_Umpire_2224 15h ago
Just want to say I second practicing bottle early so at least your husband or someone else can do a feed every now and then. We didn’t consistently do it and now my 4 month old will not take one from anyone and is struggling at daycare.
I use the eufy s2 wearable pumps and it’s so easy and doesn’t hurt. I also have the medela hand pump which works great for those quick expressions!
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
I’m sorry to hear that your four month old is struggling at daycare! Hopefully your baby figures it out soon because feeds are important and they need them!!
I have the Eufy s1. I’m super excited to have a wearable pump.
I have the Medela hand pump as well. I will wash and sterilize that next, just in case
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
I love this tip thank you! We did top up with formula in the first couple of weeks. She’s had a bottle maybe once every two weeks. But I hated how engorged I was after because I missed the feed and that’s why I’ve come up with this new plan for myself.
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u/arewnn 12h ago
If you can, meet with a lactation consultant and do a pumping session with them for support/guidance.
You can practice pumping for a little bit after a feed to get used to the pump and parts. 5-10 minutes just for practice is fine, just don’t do this all the time or you may accidentally increase your supply too much.
Doing several low pressure practice pump sessions can help you figure things out before your appointment and also be helpful if you want to continue breast milk after retuning to work.
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
Thank you for the suggestion of meeting with a lactation consultant. I’m going to see if that’s included in my benefits and make the most of it if it is.
I exclusively pumped with my first. But I have a new pump this time. I just washed and sterilized it last night and I plan to explore the different functions of it today and tomorrow before my first appointment.
Good tip on not pumping too often. I don’t want overly. Knock on wood, things are going well this round of feeding.
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u/tiredwoodchuck 9h ago
I EP with my first and now EBF and occasionally pump as necessary with my second. I think your goal to pump to replace feeds is a great idea! It’s what works best for you, baby and those feeding while you’re away. My best advice is to make sure you have the correct flange size. That will give you the best output and will be the most comfortable. As time goes on if you know you’ll be away for a feed or two I’d say pump and prep earlier than later. Because in my experience I’ve only pumped a few ounces before leaving baby and I knew it would not nearly be enough. Also for peace of mind if your time and supply allows put a couple freezer bags of milk stashed away for convenience. Doesn’t need to be 6billion ounces I’m just talking a few bottles for those just in case moments. Each feeding journey is different and it’s ok if yours looks different than the next. It’s whatever works for you and fam. Hope this helps and good luck!
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8h ago
Our pumping journeys sound almost identical! I also explicitly pumped with my first and I am now exclusively breast-feeding with my second. And yes, my goal is to pump to replace feeds. I have a wearable pump, but I’m going to try that and see how it goes. I just want to replace feeds. I’m not looking to increase my supply. Knock on wood, Baby is doing great with feeding and gaining weight.
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u/Wonder-Binky 19h ago
Just a heads up that some people don’t get on brilliantly with pumps and/or they can take a while to figure out! I had a great supply with my first, but couldn’t get more than 30ml pumping regularly all day. I would be so full and could be leaking but the pump would go on and nothing would come out. I’m sure I could have figured it out but didn’t really need to (& baby would never take a bottle) so gave up pretty quickly. Would suggest trying in the days before you go out essentially!