Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedule – Breast feeding is a commitment, nothing can compare to the properties in human milk. Breastmilk contains a 100% correct ratio of calories, fat, protein, fluid, vitamins and minerals that are needed for a baby’s development and growth. Breast-feeding is based on supply and demand. The more you breast-feed your baby or pump while you’re away from your baby the more milk your breasts will produce. If you’re pumping, follow simple tips for maintaining your milk supply, from pumping often to drinking plenty of fluids.
Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedule Tips
If you’re at home and are stockpiling milk or trying to increase your supply, try pumping an hour or so after your sweetie’s morning nursing session (or pump one breast while she’s going to town on the other). If you’re pumping at work, try to pump on the same schedule as your baby’s feedings so you keep your milk supply going strong. Water, juice and milk can help you stay hydrated. Limit soda, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, though. Too much caffeine might lead to irritability or interfere with your baby’s sleep. If you choose to have an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward.
Below is a sample pumping schedule with eight pumps in 24 hours. A schedule like this will give you three and a half straight hours of sleep (from about 12:30am-4am, once you’ve finished pumping) – assuming your baby lets you sleep! These times can obviously be adjusted however you like. 7am, 10am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, 12am, 4am Below is a sample pumping schedule with ten pumps in 24 hours. This schedule will give you four and a half straight hours of sleep (from 7:30pm-12am), with the added benefit that if you have a partner he or she can care for the baby during this time before going to bed. 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 12am, 3am, 5am Sample Pumping Schedules with an Older Baby Below are some sample pumping schedules for older babies. These aren’t rocket science and you can adjust them to a schedule that fits your needs. I’m just including them as an example of worked for me as my baby got older. (Note: As you drop pumps, you should increase the amount of time that you pump in each session.) Six pumps in 24 hours (I used this from 10-12 weeks, until I went back to work and found the 6pm pump too difficult to manage): 6am, 10am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm With this schedule you have eight hours of sleep in a row! Unless you are really working to build up your supply, I would recommend getting some sleep and dropping the middle of the night pump once your baby is three months old. Five pumps in 24 hours (I used this from 3-6 months): 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 10pm Four pumps in 24 hours (I used this from 6-11 months): 6am, 10am, 2pm, 10pm Three pumps in 24 hours (I used this from 11-12 months): 6am, 12pm, 10pm Two pumps in 24 hours (I used this from 12-14 months): 6am, 7pm
A one pump per day schedule is a supply killer for many women (including myself), so attempt it with caution if you decide to go this route. Between dropping to one pump per day and getting pregnant again, my supply crashed to nothing at 14 months. I hope this simple tips of breastfeeding and pumping schedule will help you to feed your baby. References:
- Benefits of Breastfeeding: breastfeeding-problems.com/benefits-of-breastfeeding.html
- Breast-feeding and pumping: 7 tips for success: mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-feeding/art-20048312
- Pumping Breast Milk 101: whattoexpect.com/pumping-breast-milk.aspx
- Sample Pumping Schedules. exclusivepumping.com/sample-pumping-schedules/
- Images: indianmomsconnect.com
Article publié pour la première fois le 30/09/2015