When is the best time to pump?

[PumpkinZulu]

When I was EE obviously I could pump whenever. Now, I'm exclusively BF and have been for about 3 weeks (yay), but I want to start pumping again to build up a little stash for the freezer. So when should I be pumping? Before or after a feed? If DD just feeds from one side, do I just express the other side, or both?

What did you do?

[toomanyshoes]

I expressed for back up (as I was BF) with DD. I would pump after a feed and when she was settled, I usually started with the last side she was on.

Good to hear the BF is going well now

[Catastrophic]

I'd get up and do it the first feed of the day (about half an hour before her feed) I was always at my fullest then. And your never "empty so wasn't worried about there not being enough for DD.

[Arcadia]

I used to pump in the middle of the night, because I would be bursting. I haven't pumped at all with ds. I just take him everywhere.

[EsJay]

i pumped after first feed of the morning, starting with the side she had been on, i also pumped once she had gone down at night (starting with the side she hadn't been on at the last feed) and gave her what i pumped as a dreamfeed, if there was any left i froze it. first pump of the morning i would get a staggering amount so had a really good stash in the freezer

[~Kaz~]

Your supply is highest overnight, so first thing in the morning (or even after the first feed) you'll get the most quantity.

When I pumped, I always did it after a feed and never in the mid afternoon - that's when your supply is the lowest so I usually couldn't get much out (for the time I spent) when I pumped after lunch.

ETA - I had a double electric pump (in the end) so both sides were being done at once. Had to think about why I didn't know what side I started on

[BlackRose]

I pumped either before his first feed or I would have to get up around 4am cos I was bursting, full and uncomfortable - I could get up to 150ml of one boob!! (and he'd still get a full tummy). I also pumped before I went to bed but would only get around 20-30mls.

Yay for breastfeeding PZ! Well done

[Feijoa Mum]

I found I got the most from when I fed her off one side and expressed the other at the same time, first thing in the morning. It was a bit tricky to get my arms and her all sorted so I could do it but I would easily get 120 -180mls off the one side. I would then top her up from the pumped side and she was good to go.

During the day I found the best time was usually about hour after she had fed and my boobs had had a chance to fill up a bit. They also had a chance to refill again after expressing before her next feed was due.

Afternoons and evenings were usually a write off and not worth me expressing as my supply dipped as the day progressed. So first thing and earlier in the day was our best time.

[onthefly]

A lot of women do find it's easiest first thing in the morning. Simply because baby has fed less frequently overnight (hopefully!) so you're fuller. As they feed mroe frequently during the day you may find it harder to get 'excess' to pump. (you're actually producing more the more often you empty your breasts, so supply isn't dropping, it's rising, but baby is drinking it all so you feel like you're makign less)
ITs' a brilliantly simple system - baby feeds, you make. If you pump, you'll make more. If your supply has settled down now, you may find you can't get much at first. It can take a while for the 'make more' signals to get through. Also pumping itslef can be much less effective at getting milk out. (It's often easier early on when you have an oversupply)
So anyway, the answer is, do it whenever it suits you.