Can you believe I am actually getting nervous about :bf: #3. It seems like it has been forever. I am sure it is like riding a bike but i have some questions.
I normally produce an ABUNDANT amount of milk. To the point where I have to nurse off just one side otherwise baby is getting 6+ oz out at 2 weeks. So with Bailey I nursed on one side only, but didn't pump. Then when he got older and was 5-6 months it was a pain trying to get my supply up.
I always said with the next I would pump of the side that wasn't nursed on and store it. But that is SO MUCH work. Despite that do you think I should just to keep up the supply or let my body self regulate early ????
I was always a one sided nurser (with the exception of the few days it took for my milk to mature). There were days when they would go through a growth spurt and take both sides. I never had problems of not having enough milk. I just trusted in my body to do what it was suppose to and never freaked out. I think that helped me a lot.
If your not working outside the home, I wouldn't really worry about pumping - except for a possible night out minus children. Your body knows how much milk your child needs. If you were going to be going back to work and not able to nurse on demand, then I would pump so you had a freezer stash to work with. I only had supply problems in regards to daycare - when she was with me, my child did not go hungry.
Giving away FREE crotch extenders -- do I have any takers??
Since you had issues with supply at 5-6 months before, it might be worth pumping after the 1st few weeks to maintain supply and to have a backup stash. MAybe not with every feed, but once of twice a day.
I am only a one side nurser at a time too. Ever since my milk came in, I have been pumping only once a day after Brody's first feeding in the morning. That is the time I am the fullest and so not only am I getting some relief, but I have LOADS stashed away in the freezer now, so when I leave the house or something, DH or whoever is watching him has plenty to feed him. Of course I am not at the 5-6 month stage yet but when he is going through a growth spurt or something and wants more, I just feed him on the other side as well until he is done and then start with that same side at the next feeding, because chances are that he didn't totally drain it. I have found it works very well and it's amazing how fast your body responds to the baby's needs... so don't be nervous.. it's rough at first but this is your third time, I have the upmost faith in you :)
I am a one sided nurser most of the time too. I would definately pump on the side you aren't nursing on in the begining if you can. I didn't do that with Carter and I had supply issues around 6 months which resulted in supplementing with formula. With Addie, I pumped a lot in the begining and I had a great stash. Of course I work, so I need the extra stash, and Carter was going to daycare in the begining so I only had the baby to worry about. See what works for you.
12-19-2007, 09:32 AM
starting to get nervous
