mummies i have got questions on pumping BM, i am using medela harmony

1) how long should i pump on each breast?
2) can i do 5 mins on left, then 5 mins on right, and then 5 mins on left again, and 5 mins on right? giving some interval time to get hindmilk (maybe).. does this way work?
3) Any tips to get hindmilk better?
4) do i need to sterilise the pump?

This post has been edited by qarezma: Aug 23 2011, 05:36 PM

U hv to sterilize your pump just like how you'd sterilize your bottles.

I've not tried the pumping method you mentioned above...and not sure if it can get the hindmilk. For me I pump until I get 2nd or 3rd letdown (found out only later in my pumping days).

qarezma,

1) i used to pump for 20-30mins at work... usually will get abt 2-3 let downs sometimes good time 4 let downs... but i was using double pumping... if single i pumped one side 20mins then change the other 20mins...

2 & 3) nv tried... perhaps u can try ask ask in the bf network?

4) just like phythia said... if u're at work just use hot water to clean first then sterilize when u're at home...

Kit, Phythia... how do u pump until letdown? it is like pump and pump until u get the huge load of milk? is my understanding on letdown correct?

qarezma, let down is when u feel a sudden rush of milk inside ur breast that's how i understand it... when u pump u'll still b able to pump milk... then while u pump n pump u'll feel a sudden rush n u'll c the milk like waterfall... it lasts just a while but ur oz will b increased suddenly... ur breast won't b empty... continue pump until the desired oz if u're not tired my record is 2hrs wif manual for 10-20ml during my confinement... felt like giving up that time... now i learn more n know that it's normal

wow 2 hs?! usually i stop in less than 30 mins

qarezma, u stop coz u got the desired oz? if yes then congrats~!

hmm yea i did stop cos i got almost 2oz,and i got tired pumping

do u reckon if i continued pumping i would hv got more milk?
what kind of breastfeeding goals i can set? *nerdy noob*

qarezma, wow~! i only managed to get 2oz once during my confinement... good for u~! dunno some ppl wanna get 3-5oz... dunno la... it oso depends on how much the little one is feeding... if he's feeding faster than ur ebm supply tops up, then u need to pump/direct feed more frequent lo... i totally had no idea how much my boy takes... even wif ebm in a bottle i did force feed him to finish... huhuhu... come to think of it i feel ashamed...

I manage to get only 4oz every 4 hours during full moon. That also baby is drinking 4oz every 3 hours so no choice have to top up.

I also have no patience in pumping.. its a different story if i have the ipad with me. I will just fix the pump, play a game or watch movie or surf... then i milk myself mad.. that also the flow stop after half an hour.

BF goals? 1 month, 2 month, 3 months....
1oz, 2oz, 3oz...

Xander was a small drinker...so his consumption was according to his month...1 mth- 1oz, 2mths -2oz. I wish I cd have pumped more than that.

if can don't sterilize your medela breast shield coz can change shAPE and spoil later . When use manual, I pump about 15 mins each side depending on the way and speed you pump.

Btw, 2 oz is a lot during confinement.

Hey guys,

I have an interesting dilemma. Dear daughter is turning one soon and she's getting more attached everyday. Now she nurses to sleep for an hour, sometimes till I get really sore. Now, I don't have any intention of weaning her but sometimes I get frustrated and dehydrated.

Probably because puasa month, I haven't been drinking enough so she couldn't get the amount of milk needed? On daily basis I only manage to pump 10oz - 12oz a day, previously I could pump almost double that.

Aih.

Syd, let's wait till puasa is over... mayb ur dilemma is just temporary... *pat pat* next mth is her big mth huh?

yes, and i was also told not to sterilise the membrane.. and then i thought, might as well dont sterilise anything

its weird.. sometimes i can get 2oz even after BF-ing, and sometimes i hardly get 1oz

qarezma, just a joke... mayb not enuf food/energy when u pump?

Xander really uses me as a pacifier nowadays...he would just pop my nipple in his mouth..and lie on top of me..with no suckling movements.

hehe.. i make sure i drink 1 cup of water before latching or pumping.. and i am eating regular meals (tea time included)... and all my food is not confinement style

phythia, so cute~! mine would oso lie on top of me n latch on if i lie still n flash my boobies

qarezma, i c u're getting the hang of it... u nv tot u've come this far huh... congrats~! u're reaching the first mth target~! now how abt adding another mth?

oh yes... baby is 4 weeks today.. so i kinda completed 1 month (although first 1 week baby din latch)... i am also surprised with myself.. baby is content with my boobs!! although bumpy at first.. i made it this far, and lets aim for the next mth!! oh yes, my heartiest gratitude to my LYN frens here for your support and confidence in me, ever since i got preggy with no.2! i wish i had known you guys during my no.1 too

my NB is like latching on me every hour if awake... less if sleeping.. i suppose this is normal? Does their latching schedule change later on?

This post has been edited by qarezma: Aug 30 2011, 11:25 AM