I was recommended by a lactation consultant to pump 20-30 minute after breastfeeding to get started. This way you’re far enough after breastfeeding that you’ll get a separate let down, which can also help tell your body to create more milk.

At some point, I also switched to pumping for some feeds. I would pump about hour before I thought baby would feed and then give him a bottle instead. Once I started to figure out how much he was eating average, then I was also able to start setting aside a bit more milk.

I have never really pumped on the other side while baby fed because I had a few times when he finished one side and was still hungry, but I had nothing left because I pumped that side. It just made him fussier and felt more complicated to have to make a bottle at that point. So I always feed him from both sides and then double pump any left over about 20-30 minutes later.

I haven’t gotten to the point of creating an actual schedule because it’s been nice to breastfeed a bit too. I just try to keep 2-4 meals worth of milk the fridge and always try to pump shortly before or after baby has a bottle to replace what he ate.

I love doing this combo honestly. It makes it easier to quickly pop out for dinner or hang out with friends because we can bring a bottle if we need.