Breast pumping questions...

I have a bunch of questions regarding pumping if you girls don't mind.

Since I have to go back to work in a couple of weeks I'm going to purchase a breast pump tomorrow so I can start storing milk and introduce the bottle to him. I've been reading a lot about pumping, but I'm still not sure about some things.

1) How many bottles will I need?

2) Since Caiden gets really bad gas, should I try the couple of bottles that I have, or should I get the Dr. Brown's bottles?

3) How do I know how much to pump into the bottles? Do you just fill them up, or only fill a certain amount?

4) When giving the bottle to the baby, is it ok for the milk to be cold (right out of the fridge), or are you suppose to let it sit out so it's room temperature? I know you're not suppose to microwave breast milk...

5) What supplies will I need so I can pump at work?

I'm going to be buying the Medela Pump In Style (Travel). Babies R' Us has a $20.00 off coupon.

Sorry about all the questions, but this is 1 part of being a mommy I have yet to do! Thanks!

Melissa I am not the best person to respond but I will try. A lot of women aboard will be able to help you better.

I am not pumping for collection - just to up my supply, but I am supplementing Sophie w. formula. I have maybe 5 bottles. I am using Avent. I tried the Playtex Nurser w. the bag, but she couldn't suck the nipple for some reason. The Avent seem to be working fine, but she's not particularly gassy. You can try what you have and see how it goes.

I would say maybe 4 oz per bottle? Caiden is still little. I guess you have to see what he eats per sitting. I would ask your dr. on this one.

I boil water in a little pot, remove from heat and set the bottle in it for a few minutes. I find the baby likes it better warmed up. Just make sure to check the temp and mix it around so there are no hot spots.

the Instyle Pump has everything you need. I got one that is in a black bag that has compartments with all the stuff you need. It's really good.

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Posted by jenny11.9


I boil water in a little pot, remove from heat and set the bottle in it for a few minutes. I find the baby likes it better warmed up. Just make sure to check the temp and mix it around so there are no hot spots.

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If you don't want to do the whole pot thing you can heat the water in the microwave and then put the BM in It's faster and less of a clean-up

He will probably want it warm because it comes from your body warm. Also he is still little

I agree with Jenny about 4oz a pop.

You should FM Camille/Nubride I think she is our resident expert pumper

1) How many bottles will I need?
at least 4. If you buy the small ones that hold 4-5 oz. then you will eventually need 4-6 large ones for when he drinks 6+ oz. at a time. You can just go right to the large ones too to save some money. It is your preference.

2) Since Caiden gets really bad gas, should I try the couple of bottles that I have, or should I get the Dr. Brown's bottles?
I cannot really tell you what he would like. I bought Avent only and Annalise took them right away. I do not have experience with any others except a Playtex Vent-aire. DH bought one since it was on saae for $1, but she did not like it since she was already using the others for a few weeks.

3) How do I know how much to pump into the bottles? Do you just fill them up, or only fill a certain amount?
If you get the Medela pump you can use the containers it comes with and pump right into them. You can fill them to the top, but if you are going to freeze the milk then you will have to defrost the full amount. The unused milk that is defrosted will have to be used in 24 hrs. I pumped into the Medela containers and then poured the milk into breastmilk storage bags in the amount I expected her to have in one feeding. That way I could clean the Medela containers and have them ready for the next pumping session.

4) When giving the bottle to the baby, is it ok for the milk to be cold (right out of the fridge), or are you suppose to let it sit out so it's room temperature? I know you're not suppose to microwave breast milk...
I warmed it in the Avent bottle warmer most of the time. You can serve it cold if he will take it.

5) What supplies will I need so I can pump at work? The pump you plan on buying has everything you need.

I am a full-time pumping mom, meaning Molly never feeds from my breasts. Here is what works for us:
-Playtex bottles with silcone nipples. this is what the 'LC suggested. i tried the advent. she refused them.
-Since you are still early into bfing, try thr PIS but do not get discourged if you don't get alot at first. remember, you are still feeding the baby and trying to bag some which means your supply needs to icrease first. If you have ANY trouble call a LC. She will help you so that your supply doesn't suffer.

-I pump into the medela collection bottles then pour 3.5 oz into bottles to use or 4.0 oz in Gerber breastmilk bags and freeze them. In the beginning of pumping you may not much. Just place the milk in a bottle/bag in the frig. Do not add freshly pumped milk to cold milk, but you can combine milk from pumping sessions buy making sure all of the collected milk is the same tempature then put it into one bag to equal the 4oz that you need.

-I have found the Gerber bags to be my favorite because they have ziplock seals. never use a sharpee marker on any bag though to date.
-join the yahoo chatboard pumping moms. they are a HUGE source of information and support.
-pumpig in the early morning is good since that is when you can produce more milk- due to some kind of body chemical stuff.
-You can also get a hands free bra - easy expressions new on ebay for $35. It lets you pump without holding the flanges (what covers your breast while pumping) so that you can read, do work etc...I am buying on this week.
- I read that you should never watch the milk while pumping. sorta like not watching a pot of water or it will not boil.

Good Luck Melissa. Let us know how you are doing with the pumping. Oh, you will also need the medela microsteam bags to clean your supplies. You can use those at work as well.

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Posted by michele31

I am a full-time pumping mom, meaning Molly never feeds from my breasts. Here is what works for us:
-Playtex bottles with silcone nipples. this is what the 'LC suggested. i tried the advent. she refused them.
-Since you are still early into bfing, try thr PIS but do not get discourged if you don't get alot at first. remember, you are still feeding the baby and trying to bag some which means your supply needs to icrease first. If you have ANY trouble call a LC. She will help you so that your supply doesn't suffer.

-I pump into the medela collection bottles then pour 3.5 oz into bottles to use or 4.0 oz in Gerber breastmilk bags and freeze them. In the beginning of pumping you may not much. Just place the milk in a bottle/bag in the frig. Do not add freshly pumped milk to cold milk, but you can combine milk from pumping sessions buy making sure all of the collected milk is the same tempature then put it into one bag to equal the 4oz that you need.

-I have found the Gerber bags to be my favorite because they have ziplock seals. never use a sharpee marker on any bag though to date.
-join the yahoo chatboard pumping moms. they are a HUGE source of information and support.
-pumpig in the early morning is good since that is when you can produce more milk- due to some kind of body chemical stuff.
-You can also get a hands free bra - easy expressions new on ebay for $35. It lets you pump without holding the flanges (what covers your breast while pumping) so that you can read, do work etc...I am buying on this week.
- I read that you should never watch the milk while pumping. sorta like not watching a pot of water or it will not boil.

Good Luck Melissa. Let us know how you are doing with the pumping. Oh, you will also need the medela microsteam bags to clean your supplies. You can use those at work as well.

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Oy, I just marked my first collection bag with a thin sharpie marker! anyone know why I shouldn't? Does it bleed through? I didn't think a pen would write on the bag