You can make your self an over-producer of milk simply by nursing and pumping as often as you can. Before you return to work, let baby nurse unrestricted as often as possible. And, in between, pump your breasts. It may sound exhausting, but you will be building up the supply you will need. And make sure you have a good quality breast pump – a double pump will save you a lot of time. Most hospitals rent breast pumps for a nominal fee, and they’re of top-notch quality.
The longer you can stay home the better. The first six weeks are extremely important in establishing you milk supply, and will make it much easier for you to maintain the supply through pumping.
Try introducing a bottle of pumped breast milk to your baby sometime between 3 and 6 weeks. Sometimes babies refuse bottles when given by mom (They know your breasts are around somewhere), so it may work best if Dad tries the bottle out. This way, you can be sure that your baby won’t refuse the bottle on your first day back to work. But only give the baby very occasionally, just to be sure that they will accept it. You don’t want them to fill up on anything other than your breasts, because less suckling means less milk.
If at all possible, try not to give a pacifier. This is because, again, you are trying to over produce. If you let baby nurse for comfort – rather than suck on a pacifier – you be stimulating your breasts to make even more milk. Better to have too much than not enough.
Go To Page: 1 2
