For some background: My son was born at 34 weeks and wasn't able to breastfeed right away so I had to pump every 3 hours. We used the milk for his tube feedings and then to supplement with a bottle after he would attempt to breastfeed. He still gets a bottle with BM and NeoSure (he needs to gain weight) after breastfeeding but has been taking less lately since it seems like he is able to eat more at a session.
I seem to have a really strong let down since he's coughing and pulling away during feedings. We still have to offer him a bottle with formula mixed with my milk after he breastfeeds. So I kept up the pumping every 3 hours (mistake). I was pumping 3 oz after feeding him when we first got home last weekend. Fast forward to last night and I was completely engorged after 4 hours and pumped 7 ounces after he ate. What do I do???
I want to start weaning off the pump but I don't know how to do it without feeling like my boobs are going to blow up. I started only pumping 5-8 minutes yesterday, but then I still had hard knots that weren't getting out. I was worried about mastitis (had it several times with my first son).
I am making way more than he's eating. Should I try feeding him on just 1 side and pump the other and deal with the side he ate from still feeling full? I checked out kellymom but I wanted to see if you ladies had any experience or suggestions.
Thanks for getting through that whole long thing!