Your pumping routine? And a Q

VitaLuna

I'm only getting about half as much as I need for LO while pumping at work (just started back this week). I have a couple questions:

1) do you stop pumping when flow stops? Or do you go longer?
2) do you get a second letdown? Any secrets for getting one?
3) how many minutes do you pump?
4) I know a lot of people refrigerate parts. Is there a way I can just rinse and use the next session? Or do they have to have soap and water if no fridge?

Thank you!

vvvvvfee

: 1) do you stop pumping when flow stops? Or do you go longer? I stopped pumping a few months ago (DS is almost 17 months now), but I generally just pumped for 10 minutes unless I still felt full, then I might do another 5 minutes. Usually after 10 minutes the flow had slowed down a lot.

 2) do you get a second letdown? Any secrets for getting one? Honestly, I didn't pay too much attention. Maybe? I found I did best when I relaxed and read a book and didn't worry too much about how much i was producing.

 3) how many minutes do you pump? Generally just 10 minutes, but sometimes I went a bit longer if I still felt full at that point. 

4) I know a lot of people refrigerate parts. Is there a way I can just rinse and use the next session? Or do they have to have soap and water if no fridge? You really don't even need to rinse them if they're going to be kept cold. I had a small lunchbox/cooler with hard sides. i put a hard plastic reusable ice pack in it, and left all my milk and pump parts in it all day. I never rinsed them in between sessions. Everything was still cold by the end of the day. I'd throw all the parts in the dishwasher at the end of the day, and I had a 2nd set of pump parts to use.

vvvvvfee

P.S. How many times a day are you pumping? Maybe you need another session? I started out with 3x a day from when DS was 3 months until he was about 7 months, although I had a very supportive boss.

VitaLuna

Thank you all for the responses. Luckily she's not being overfed (which was a HUGE concern of mine). She's taking 3.5oz every 3-4h and I'm only getting 2-3oz per pump (trying to do it every 3-4h, too).

I think I'm just not pumping long enough. It sounds silly, but the room at my work has two chairs to pump, and when there is another person in there that's done way faster, it kind if stresses me out wondering if I'm pumping too long, why they're getting more milk quicker, etc.. Which obviously doesn't help my own output.

I just went back to work this week. I work three 12s, so i think I can make up for the lack of milk by pumping once or twice on my days off. I'd just rather figure a way to get it during my pumps at work.

jesuisfatiguee

Definitely try to pump more often, at least 15-20 minutes at a time. I've read it's a good idea to continue pumping for 5 mins after the milk stops flowing. And distract yourself while pumping - don't watch the bottles! I always pump less when I'm stressing about how much I'm getting.

As for the other person, try not to compare. She might have an over supply, or only giving some BM so she doesn't need as much per day. You just don't know. Try to relax

VitaLuna

I'll try to pump more often, but I'm an RN, so it's a little hard to get off the unit. My coworker that pumps supplements with formula, so she pumps way less frequently and that's what everyone is used to as "normal".

I'm going to make a pan of baked oatmeal with brewers yeast for breakfasts, and take some mothers milk tea with me. I got a second letdown when I pumped longer this morning (at home), so I'm hoping that's a good sign.