Pumping and storing breast milk (foremilk vs. hindmilk)?

Ok here's the truth: your breasts make one kind of milk. This milk is created and then sits in the ducts, where more is added and some is broken back down. As the milk sits in the ducts the fat separates and clings to the milk duct. So when the baby nurses the first milk that comes out doesn't have as much fat. However the more often you nurse the less chance the fat gets to separate.

Newborns who don't get enough fat may not grow well. Slightly older babies when they get nothing a large amount foremilk may eat so much that they throw up, and then continue feeding so they get the right amount of fat (BTDT)

For occasional use there probably isn't too much of a problem with it being foremilk. Breastfed babies may overeat from a bottle anyway (or refuse it altogether).

The bigger problem is that with pumping you are telling your breasts to make more milk.

As someone who has had overactive letdown with two babies, and a real oversupply now that I am tandem nursing can I offer some different advice? Learn to nurse in the side lying position. With both you and baby on your sides lying down. Pillows behind both of your backs may be helpful. That way the baby just lets the milk dribble out the side of their mouth when it comes to fast and hopefully not too much is removed and eventually your supply will regulate. Side lying is also amazing when you are overtired.

Also nursing in positions where the milk flows uphill (you leaning back in a semi-reclined position, or you flat on your back and baby above you can reduce the flow.

If you have a persistent oversupply problem you could consider some herbs to reduce your supply.

More about foremilk/hindmilk

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/milkproduction-f...

Too much milk: Sage and other herbs for decreasing milk supply

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbs-ov...

More articles I recommend for all new moms:

http://www.todaysparent.com/article.jsp?content=12...

http://breastfeed.com/resources/articles/expectati...

http://www.llli.org//NB/Law45com.html

http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/howworks/hung...

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detsleepthrough.html

first of all "FRIEND" is wrong. Sorry friend but you have it backwards foremilk is the less fatty milk consider it skim or 1% them as your baby nurses or as your pump you gradually get into the 2% milk so to say then you are getting to the end os your session and you have reached the hindmilk which would be the whole milk persay. if you want to you could pump to take the edge off your let-down than feed your baby than pump again so your getting both in your bottle for the freezer. Other options are to pump a bit on one side to take the edge off than nurse and at the same time pump on the other side as you will be getting much more because your body is being stimulation from the baby and also the pump and thus you'll increase your out put and increase your freezer stash! And you'll be getting both foremilk and hindmilk. if your not able to either than just freeze the formilk because as someone else said some breast milk is better than no breast milk. Good luck and keep up the good work!

Hi, I am a mom of 3 girls. 5,3,1 My first and last had the same problem. My second I had to do all pumping because she was a preemie. But I didn't pump before feeding even tho they had some problems. They will learn and what I did when it happen was break the suction when I felt it was getting to strong or she was having problems. Keep a empty bottle handy to catch it. Your body and your baby will get in tune to each other. Just takes some time. Foremilk is mostly water and is necessary to satisfy your baby's thirst. The Hind-milk has the highest amount of fat which is needed for weight gain. If you decide to pump you can still store it, but what I would do is after your baby is finished, empty your breasts with the pump, then you will have both foremilk and hind-milk to freeze, also this will keep up your supply as your baby grows. I breast fed all my kids for a year. Hope that helps and good luck. If you need anything you can email me anytime

I had a very overactive letdown also... and it led to my son being gassy and fussy because he only ever got the foremilk and never any hindmilk. The best advice I actually got was to reduce my milk supply all together... as a first time mom I felt that unless my boobs were huge they weren't full enough - so I actually just had way too much milk... by reducing my milk supply it actually made the letdown less strong also.

Step one was converting to feeding the baby by one breast at a feeding, and not both. I had enough milk in one breast for an entire feeding... that way he got both kinds of milk and was satisfied. Now for the other breast... if you're going back to work and need extra milk - pump the whole breast and freeze that milk for later, but if you're staying at home and don't really need it... just pump a couple ounces to reduce the pressure, but let your breast stay 1/2 full... this will signal to your brain/body that you don't need as much milk and your supply will decrease after a couple days.

Some moms truely feel that you have to nurse a certain amount of time on each side and both breasts during a feeding.. but in our situation, by doing that, the baby is only getting foremilk from each breast... so by feeding only on one side, he will get both!

I think your doctor's advice is not exactly correct... by pumping this milk, you'll only continue to keep your supply up and this won't fix the problem... and in answer to your actual question... I don't think I'd save that milk... because of all the reasons I said above... although breast milk is like gold and you never know when you might need it... you can always freeze it and keep it just in case... good luck!

Are you breastfeeding all the time (meaning no bottle at day care)? If so, then what you could do is just do what your doctor said, and then store the milk you're pumping in the freezer until it is time to start putting him on solids. Then use the stored breastmilk in the baby cereal.

Hindmilk is richer and is as important and foremilk, you probably have much more foremilk, and I don't think it will effect your son if he gets less foremilk for a few months.

:)

If you keep pumped milk in an airtight container it should stay good in the fridge for 3-7 days, though if you need to keep it for more than a few days, I would freeze it. When you go out, use a small freezer ice pack thingie in a little cooler pack, like what you might bring a packed lunch to work in. But honestly, once you get used to the idea of breastfeeding, it is much easier to bring a small blanket or wear a discreet nursing shirt and just nurse when you're out. It took me a little while to get used to it, but after a while you would never even think about bringing a bottle when you have fresh warm milk with you at all times. I found that everywhere I went there was never any negative reaction to my breastfeeding my baby. These days, its getting much more common, and I would encourage you to consider feeding your baby naturally when you go out. Just because it's "in public" doesn't mean that you're going to be flashing your breasts to everyone, and no one even needs to know if you are discreet.

What Is Foremilk And Hindmilk

I have often wondered this myself, as I am currently trying to breastfeed but mostly pumping milk for my 7 week old baby.

I have found the LaLeche League forums VERY helpful!! I highly recommend joining. They will help you will everything you need. I know they helped me a bunch! There is a lot more to breastfeeding than I ever realized.

Here is a link to join the forum:

http://forums.llli.org/index.php

Also, kellymom.com is a very good site.

maybe you could do just oen breast almost completely and let him finish it off, and then pump the other one almsot to the end as well, or after his feeding? or the other before his next feeding. ONce you let down you are getting good "Hindmilkd" so as long as you don't empty both, he can get what's left in each and be jsut fine probably.

I'd freeze it. I don't know which is better but any breast milk is better than no breast milk.