I get a day off from boob feeding - what pumping routine shall I adopt to maintain/increase supply?

[Thandeka]

DH wants to take 8 week old DD out for the day tomorrow which is fine as I have my hospital complaint letter re. her birth to finish off and I find this very hard when she is about as I get upset.

I am quite looking forward to a "day off" to be honest! Anyhow he will take as much EBM with him as I can get and also formula (DD has occasional formula top ups anyway as her weight gain has been an issue).

So at home we have a hospital grade pump- I will probably have 6-8 hours on my own. I have read several different options about "power pumping" but wondering which one will be the best during this time? (10mins on 10 mins off for an hour or two, 20 mins every hour?). Obviously she will get lots of boob feed before she goes and when she comes back too plus I hope to have built up a bit more of a stash of EBM for her top ups.

I do want to increase supply a bit and hopefully at some stage get to the point of no top ups- EBM or otherwise, hoping being away from her for the day won't bugger things up too much (but I also really need a break has been an intense few weeks!) but I am planning to "babymoon" with her the day after too to help supply.

I guess mine is same dlimemma women have when they go back to work- but guess most cases their DC's are a bit older!

Why can't your DH go close by and just bring the baby home to feed? Expressing milk can be a nightmare and warming it, and ensuring you only heat it once so he'll have to take lots of bottles.....

How often is your 8 week old feeding? I presume every 2 hours of so. I would mimic your normal feeding pattern
So feed just before she goes, then 2hourly both breasts until she returns. So if she is gone for 6 hours you will probably only need to express 2-3 times if back on the 6th hour to feed again.

You might also find you might need to feed more often once she returns and through the night and that will also boost your supply.

She takes it at room temp or she will have formula- carton also at room temp. He wants to take her to meet pals in central London, naff all to do round here plus her boob feeds take hour and half at least so would be big interruption. Am used to expressing as have to do it. loads of times a day anyhow for her top ups. Am not worried bout being apart from her for a few hours just trying to work out best way to maximise supply while apart. Thanks anyway.

A pump can not mimic your baby feeding directly but expressing often both sides and maybe repeating both sides (if does not make you sore) will ensure your maintaining supply. Doing some breast compressions at same time will mean it will speed up expressing time too.(Not sure if doing breast compressions already when expressing/feeding)
Has anyone checked your daughter's latch to ensure she is feeding as efficiently as possible?
If you look on kellymom.com you should find some tips on increasing supply which you will be able to work on when she's back with you.
Getting in contact with BF helplines (NCT, La leche league) may give you some good advice and also see if there is some local bf cafes near you for some friendly hands on advice.

Hope you