Start Pumping After 5 months?

Hi


Strange situation, and would like to see if anyone else has this experience.


With baby #1, I pumped every day at the same time in the morning and got a good amount, starting at 6 weeks, but we only ever gave him 10 bottles in an entire year. We used the milk at 5.5+ months for mixing with his solids... I stopped pumping in the 8th month, but had enough milk to last for all the solids. I breast fed for 13 months.


With baby #2, 7 weeks old, I haven't started yet for a few reasons:

(the unwritten reason is I have a 16 month old and a 7 week old and am too tired to pump!!!)

1. we won't give any bottles.

2. we will start solids at around 6 months, so can't keep the milk that long

3. The big reason... we might be moving when baby is 5 or 6 months old, and will not be able to move the frozen milk safely. (we can't afford climate controlled international shipping)


QUESTION:


If I only start pumping at 5/6 months... will my body just not make enough milk to pump? I ask this because at 8 months with baby #1, my body was super efficient at breast feeding, but I couldn't really pump anything anymore.


OR Do I need to start pumping now just to keep the 'pumping supply' up, but know we probably won't use it right away?


Of course, I hate pumping, so would like not to, but I fear not being able to later.


Has anyone started pumping late? If so, did it work out?


Thanks!

One of the many reasons I was told for not bf (by the bottle feeding nazis?) was the "what if you were in a car wreck" kind of scenario. What if mom were unavailable for some reason, wouldn't it be better for baby to be used to a bottle? Therefore (drum roll) with my first child, I pumped a lot of milk and froze it "just in case" she ever needed a bottle. Thankfully, I was never in a coma, and it doesn't take that much to mix some with solids. I never needed all that milk and ended up throwing it away. With the second and third, I didn't bother pumping at all. If I needed something to mix with solids, I expressed a bit, but I was even more relaxed about table food because by that time I was more sure of the nutritional benefits of my mothering style. Including, continued bf on demand and offering only nutritious foods -- not "fillers" with a lot of empty calories like cereal. So, I'm not sure why you are bothering with pumping at all? In my view, the simplicity of bf is such a benefit, why add the layer of pumping if you don't have to? Relax and have confidence, you're an experienced mother!

When you are ready to start pumping, you might want to take domperidone or different herbs like blessed thistle and fenugreek to increase your supply...also drink a LOT more fluids. Within a few days, you'll notice you have more milk after you have added the pumping regime to your breastfeeding regime. Try the massage used with the Marmet Technique and you will find you'll get more milk...I used to get 1/3 more than usual just by this method.


Good luck! Where are you off to?

cheers from Ruth

Hello crj,


Well don't see why it wouldn't work but if you wish to be reassured by the specialist, the LLL HK has a yahoogroup where you might ask.

Just for info, I only started pumping at 4 months and never had any problem, but I always pumped instead of a feed and never on top of the regular feedings..


HTH!

take care!

crj, I started pumping when my 2nd was 3 months +. I did not have any problem. Fish and papaya soup helps a lot when I started pumping.

I started pumping when I returned to full time work when my baby was 6 months. Was very worried about it, but all ended up fine. Dont be put off by the amount you pump-its quality not quantity- especially at that age. The milk apparently gets thicker and richer and is less in amount.