EBF and pumping

[yelyahyoung]

I have a question about pumping please. My 3 week old DD is breastfed apart from an expressed bottle here and there. Everything is going great and she’s feeding well. I’m just still a little bit confused about some of it though lol. Like your breasts make what your baby needs right...but I’ve read that you should stop pumping when milk stops flowing? I imagine that would feel awesome afterwards lol but surely that’s telling your body you need that amount of milk when actually I don’t? Then I will end up with more engorged breasts and in a vicious cycle? I don’t mind pumping to keep up my milk supply and have bottles for baby to be fed by her daddy or to go out with. But don’t want to be doing it wrong. So I’d appreciate some advice/tips please... many thanks in advance

To add, I currently pump 15 mins each breast and have 2-3oz in both bottles and milk will still be flowing.

Yes if you pump to regularly it can mess with your supply and cause milk supply to drop or can cause oversupply and engorging. If you plan to pump regularly I'd pump the same time each day to get the amount your baby might have for a bottle. My first had one bottle of pumped milk a day but I tried to pump at the same time and it was generally the same amount until he got a bit bigger and it didn't cause problems.

However my friend wanted back up milk in the freezer and pumped loads and ended up with Mitosis.

Also the first 6 weeks are about you establishing your supply. If there's a no problems it's probably best to feed your baby on demand and worry about things like pumping after the 6weeks when your body is a bit more regulated (but that's not always the case for mums).

Thank you @Babyfg. I am feeding on demand but find my breasts are still feeling full and needing that relief. Health visitor seemed fine about it and was very pleased I could have all this milk lol. Just a little confused and still learning this BF game

It's definitely good you have a good supply. Breast feeding is hard. If your body feels comfortable with what you're doing right now, then I'd listen to it. Good luck on you bf journey.

The important thing is to be consistent. If you want to pump then you should do it everyday. I pumped 50-100ml every day for 6 months and stored it in the freezer. It was nice to have a supply there so that when I eventually stopped breastfeeding I could still give DS some everyday for a while, to keep up the immunity benefit.