Things You'll Need:
- Breast pump
- Breast milk storage bags or bottles
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Step 1
While your away, pump on your normal feeding schedule. If your baby is eating every 3 hours, be sure to pump every 3 hours. Save the pumped milk for use the next time you are away.
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Step 2
After each normal feeding, pump both breasts to empty them. The extra milk can be placed in a breast milk storage bag or bottle and frozen.
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Step 3
If your child is satisfied with feeding from only one breast, pump the other breast while the baby nurses. This tends to provide more milk due to the let down reflex. This too can be frozen for later use.
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Step 4
If baby sleeps through a feeding, go ahead and pump. Your body will replace that milk within an hour of pumping. If you are wary of pumping until empty, pump just a little so there remains some left for baby.
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Step 5
Breastfeed your baby often. This not only increases your breast milk supply but it also allows you to pump more often. Additionally, the baby will not be as hungry and will leave more residual milk for storage.
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Step 6
Finally, take care of yourself to allow your body to optimally produce breast milk. Get rest, drink fluids, take a multi vitamin, eat a high protein diet, and add about 500 additional calories to your diet.
