week 4 (saying hello to the pump) 22-28 days

boo does most of her feedings on one breast per feeding and is starting to eat more than every 2 hours. since i'll be returning to work when boo is 6 weeks, my lactation consultant had recommended i begin pumping when boo hit 2 weeks. my apprehension of the pump delayed the process. i'm using an ameda purely yours double electric pump. the noise is minimal, there is barely any discomfort and i'm able to express a couple of ounces in just a couple of minutes. i'm freezing only 1 ounce bags to reduce wasted milk.

refrigerated milk: use within 72 hours. take the milk out of the refrigerator just before using. gradually, over 5 to 10 minutes, warm the milk to room temperature in a container of warm water. do not warm the milk in a microwave or on the stove.

frozen milk: use milk within three months if it has been stored in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. always use the oldest milk first. thaw the milk either in the refrigerator, where it can remain up to 24 hours, or in water just before feeding, gradually increasing the temperature to warm. do not defrost the milk in a microwave or on the stove. whatever milk the baby does not take must be discarded. breast milk should not be refrozen. 

-the nursing mother's companion, kathleen huggins, r.n.,m.s. page 189

to assure that she develop a great start to breastfeeding, i was told that boo should not receive any bottles until 4 weeks. waiting longer may cause her to reject the bottle altogether. at 4 weeks its recommended to give the baby at least 1 bottle every  4-7 days. boo refused her first bottle.