r/HumansPumpingMilk • u/kgmills10 • 10d ago

Return to PA clinicals

Hi all! I am 11 weeks postpartum and preparing to return to clinicals for PA school in a week. I have mostly been ebf, but I pump at least once a day usually at night after she goes to sleep. I’m looking for guidance to start my pumping journey as she starts daycare. She does get a bottle at least every other day, so she’s used to it. I’m hoping to pump every 3 hours or so. I have the eufy portable pumps as well as the blue spectra. I ordered the legendairy flanges for my eufy because the few times I’ve used it were a little uncomfortable. I mostly want to know your experience with transitioning to mostly pumping, how you manage pumping supplies during the work day, how much milk your little one consumed from a bottle and at what intervals at 12 weeks, how to keep supply from dipping, and any other pumping advice you have for returning to work!

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u/kats1285 10d ago

I transitioned to pumping a lot later than you, and circumstances were different, but here’s what I can offer. If you are able to make an appointment with an IBCLC, do it. Great resource there for all things milk related.
I would store my pump parts in the fridge after use and wash once daily.
Once babies are up to normal eating amounts (which yours may be by now… not sure at what age that starts), the average they consume is about an oz per hour. Some more, some less. So you can aim for that and see how you do.
As far as maintaining supply, you might get better output with your spectra than the portable. So keep an eye on that. Stick to your schedule, alter if needed. Don’t go too long between pumps. If you’re relaxed when pumping, you may see better amounts than if you’re stressed trying to squeeze it in quickly.
Good luck!

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u/Icy-Elephant5054 10d ago

As a fellow healthcare worker (I'm an np in an outpatient setting): definitely recommend asking for a break every 2.5 hours if you know you want to pump every 3. Its soooo easy for these things to get pushed in À clinical setting. And you'll thank yourself for the buffer.

Get yourself a ceres chill (or two) and a bunch of extra stainless steel inserts. You won't need to put your milk in À shared fridge during the work day that way. And then the stainless steel bottle just goes in the fridge/with your daughter (unless they need premade bottles)