Work & Pumping Questions

EmJ&B

How much time can you take to pump? Do you feel like it's enough?

I only get two 15 minute windows. So I can pump for about 12 mins and then rush to get everything cleaned up. I feel like this is ok for now as long as I'm able to pump enough to cover what he ate the day before.

Do you pump on weekends or give yourself a break?

I'd rather take a break from the pump and just nurse DS but I'm not sure if that's wise.

Thoughts?

ncase2

I have it pretty easy - I pump 4x a day (yes, my son is a chunk who loves to eat). I pump for about 12 min. then take care of the milk and throw everything in the fridge in a thermal tote. I don't pump at home unless I'm trying to build my stash, which is pretty good at this point so I just do it if I have time.

Slap8out

I find 15 mins crazy short. I try to pump every 3 hours or so, when I start feeling full I pump. Not a fan of 15 mins but was told to take my time within reason.
I pump every morning, while dd takes one side I pump the other. And LO has a bottle with her dad at night so I pump then too.
And dd only goes to daycare 3 days/ week so what ever I don't use with bottle feeding is freeze.
Pumping is a ton of work, have not found a good rythem yet

sleepy33

I pump 3x a day for as long as I want/need. I just sit at my desk so I can keep working (with the door shut and locked, obv). So far, I haven't had to pump at night/on weekends to make up the difference, but there was a week there where it got kind of dicey and my freezer supply ran out. Luckily it seems like my boobs have figured out the routine now and I'm able to pump about 12 oz every day. Most days, the baby eats all of this but a couple of days out of the week he only takes 2 bottles and I'm able to freeze the 3rd, so I'm slowly rebuilding my stash without having to add extra pumping. I do have to be absolutely religious about pumping 3x a day, guzzling water and mother's milk tea, or I immediately notice a difference in what I can pump.

MrsShankly1012

I pump twice a day at work for about 20 minutes (that doesn't include pump set up and clean up).  12 minutes seems short.  Have you pumped at all at home?  How long until you're dry there?  

I don't pump at night or on the weekends.  I think it's better for supply to have the baby nurse as often as possible when you're together.

Ajoyd

I pump at my desk so basically whenever I want. I pump 2-3 times a day for about a half hour each time (including getting everything out and putting it away. I have an irrational fear of opening my office door while still wearing my pumping bra. 

I do pump on the weekends but DS has transfer issues so I do it to keep my supply up. Otherwise I probably wouldn't. 

EmJ&B

MrsShankly1012 said:

I pump twice a day at work for about 20 minutes (that doesn't include pump set up and clean up).  12 minutes seems short.  Have you pumped at all at home?  How long until you're dry there?  

I don't pump at night or on the weekends.  I think it's better for supply to have the baby nurse as often as possible when you're together.

I'd been pumping once a day at home so I have a small stash - maybe 70 oz - I can drain the right side in 10 to 12 mins but the left takes up to 20.

lefnc82

I pump 2x day for about 10-15min at work. I don't pump extra at home, just nurse. LO eats about 3x while I'm at work, about 3oz each feeding. Normally I get about 9-12oz each day which for now is enough to have LO fed the following day. Work doesn't really worry about how long I take but I try to keep it short, we have a few days coming up where we will be short staffed so I'm a little worried about how those days will go as far as me having time to pump.

finnybooboo

I pump 3x's at work. I've blocked 30 mins off my calendar each time and I do usually take that long between set up pumping and cleaning up. This is only my second day though so I hope to become more efficient.

MrsShankly1012

EmJ&B said:

MrsShankly1012 said:

I pump twice a day at work for about 20 minutes (that doesn't include pump set up and clean up).  12 minutes seems short.  Have you pumped at all at home?  How long until you're dry there?  

I don't pump at night or on the weekends.  I think it's better for supply to have the baby nurse as often as possible when you're together.

I'd been pumping once a day at home so I have a small stash - maybe 70 oz - I can drain the right side in 10 to 12 mins but the left takes up to 20.

Is the left the better producer?  Maybe feeding off that side before you leave the house would be helpful because it won't be as full when you go to pump.  You may also want to bring two sets of pump parts with you so you don't have to worry about cleaning up as much.  Also have the bottles already screwed on, everything set up in your bag so you just have to hook up and go... 

srgoldbe

I went back to work last week and set up a pretty good rhythm. I pump after I feed LO in the a.m. before I leave at six, then I pump two times at work at 9AM and at 12 PM, and rush hime o feed LO at 3. I then pump right before I go to sleep after I nurse. I mostly do the bedtime nursing in case LO sleeps through the night, which is rare but can occur!

I take about 22 minutes total at work (a couple minutes to set up and breakdown and a 15 minute pump). I usually get a total of 10 ounces between those two pumps. I am in a file cabinet for this time, but I have an iPad that i bring so I'm able to catch up on emails. I'm in the department of women so no one seems to care, which feels lucky.

Last weekend I just tried to spend as much time nursing. I still pumped in the morning because I was engorged, as my LO only feeds one side. I also pumped before bed. This seemed to work well for me, although it's only been a week and half!

12 minutes doesn't seem like enough. I am a pretty efficient pumper and my LC said to not pump less than 15 min at a time. I hope you can find a plan that works for you!

EmJ&B

srgoldbe said:

 12 minutes doesn't seem like enough. I am a pretty efficient pumper and my LC said to not pump less than 15 min at a time. I hope you can find a plan that works for you!

Interesting. Did she say why?

JRWies22

I pump 3x at work about 20 mins total. I have my own office with a lock (thankfully) so no one really notices what I'm up to. I'm giving myself a break on the weekends and sticking to nursing as much as possible. Same with evenings. I have no idea if this is the smartest idea to break on the weekends but I love my nursing time with LO.

SnoopyLuv

It taked me at least 20 min just to pump. Nevermind set up and clean up. I don't feel guilty or worry, this is the law and my right as a bfing mother. If I worked in a tiny office or retail maybe I'd rush, but nope. I take my time to get my boobs empty. Even with a hospital grade pump I don't get what I need for at least 10 minutes and I have an oversupply.

beesquar3d

I pump before school starts, during lunch, then after school gets out at 3. Each time, it takes me around 20 min. I throw my parts in a Ziploc and keep in the fridge in the back of my classroom.

I an going to start pumping after her motn feeding to make sure she has enough while at grandmas. Plus, that's when I get the most milk during a pumping session.

Welshgirl12

I pump 3x per day, and it usually takes me 15 minutes to get around 4oz. My work has been supportive of me, so I take the time I need but similarly try not to take advantage (although it is also my Bump time now lik!) I dont pump at weekends unless I go out without LO. Which is pretty rare!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

psychdoc12

crunchymama11 said:

12 min would never be enough time for me. it takes me about 5 min just to let down, and then about 40 min to empty my boobs (my boobs hate the pump). deft take the time you need, or your supply could suffer. i would nurse on the weekends.

Law or no law, there is no way in hell I could pump for 40 minutes per session at work and keep up/not cause a bunch of problems for everyone else.

sooner1981

psychdoc12 said:

crunchymama11 said:

12 min would never be enough time for me. it takes me about 5 min just to let down, and then about 40 min to empty my boobs (my boobs hate the pump). deft take the time you need, or your supply could suffer. i would nurse on the weekends.

Law or no law, there is no way in hell I could pump for 40 minutes per session at work and keep up/not cause a bunch of problems for everyone else.

Many companies give their employees as much time as they need, but if they use significantly more time than normal break times, then the company has the right to make the time exceeding normal break times unpaid.

Personally, all my pumping time is unpaid, as I am only paid for the hours I am actually working for clients.

So, if you want more than 15 minutes, you can always tell them that you will come in 30 minutes early or stay 30 minutes late, or take an appropriate pay deduction to make up the time.

manders726

I just went back last week, so my boobs are still trying to get adjusted to the schedule but right now I'm pumping at home on my lunch break (I try to make it to 12:30, but some days I have to go around 11:30 or noon, depending on when he last ate) and then again at work later in the afternoon.  I block off a 1/2 hour at work, but usually only end up needing 15 minutes.  I get about 12-15 oz total from both sessions.  

The mother's room at my office is next to a conference room for the IT department and they must have a daily meeting at 4pm. The walls are kind of thin, so as I'm getting set up every afternoon I can hear "For conference chairperson services, press one.  All others, please wait" on the speakerphone.  I'm kind of paranoid they can hear the pump and the boob farts that happen when I do compressions. 

DisneyMamaToBeTTC

When you refrigerate the nilk, how much fat comes to the top? I typically get a pretty thib layer so I'm wondering if that's normal?

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

psychdoc12

sooner1981 said:

crunchymama11 said:

12 min would never be enough time for me. it takes me about 5 min just to let down, and then about 40 min to empty my boobs (my boobs hate the pump). deft take the time you need, or your supply could suffer. i would nurse on the weekends.

Law or no law, there is no way in hell I could pump for 40 minutes per session at work and keep up/not cause a bunch of problems for everyone else.

Many companies give their employees as much time as they need, but if they use significantly more time than normal break times, then the company has the right to make the time exceeding normal break times unpaid. Personally, all my pumping time is unpaid, as I am only paid for the hours I am actually working for clients. So, if you want more than 15 minutes, you can always tell them that you will come in 30 minutes early or stay 30 minutes late, or take an appropriate pay deduction to make up the time.

My situation is a little unusual because I'm a medical resident, and so I'm paid as a stipend from the government and can't really take any sort of pay deduction. But I can get really bad evaluations/letters of recommendation/etc. if I disappear for hours each day to pump. I'm still in the phase of my career where I'm constantly trying to impress and show my dedication to the field.

sweettwilight16

I take 2 breaks, and pump for 15 min. I don't get paid for my breaks, which makes me feel rushed, but luckily I let down quickly (LO almost never nurses for more than 10 min per session). At my 11am break I get a total of about 9oz, and at my 2pm break I get 5-6oz. So far it's been good. I eat oatmeal every morning and drink a ton of water. When I'm home, I nurse nurse nurse!

I leave my pump at work & just bring the parts home to wash. I just bought a manual pump for home in case I need it, but I haven't used it yet.

sooner1981

psychdoc12 said:

sooner1981 said:

psychdoc12 said:

crunchymama11 said:

12 min would never be enough time for me. it takes me about 5 min just to let down, and then about 40 min to empty my boobs (my boobs hate the pump). deft take the time you need, or your supply could suffer. i would nurse on the weekends.

Law or no law, there is no way in hell I could pump for 40 minutes per session at work and keep up/not cause a bunch of problems for everyone else.

Many companies give their employees as much time as they need, but if they use significantly more time than normal break times, then the company has the right to make the time exceeding normal break times unpaid.

Personally, all my pumping time is unpaid, as I am only paid for the hours I am actually working for clients.

So, if you want more than 15 minutes, you can always tell them that you will come in 30 minutes early or stay 30 minutes late, or take an appropriate pay deduction to make up the time.

My situation is a little unusual because I'm a medical resident, and so I'm paid as a stipend from the government and can't really take any sort of pay deduction. But I can get really bad evaluations/letters of recommendation/etc. if I disappear for hours each day to pump. I'm still in the phase of my career where I'm constantly trying to impress and show my dedication to the field.

Yeah. I didn't realize you were still in residency. It is one of those situations where it would be improper to deduct you based in that, so they wouldn't specifically reference that, they would just talk about your professionalism or dedication. Ugh!

psychdoc12

sooner1981 said:

sooner1981 said:

crunchymama11 said:

12 min would never be enough time for me. it takes me about 5 min just to let down, and then about 40 min to empty my boobs (my boobs hate the pump). deft take the time you need, or your supply could suffer. i would nurse on the weekends.

Law or no law, there is no way in hell I could pump for 40 minutes per session at work and keep up/not cause a bunch of problems for everyone else.

Many companies give their employees as much time as they need, but if they use significantly more time than normal break times, then the company has the right to make the time exceeding normal break times unpaid. Personally, all my pumping time is unpaid, as I am only paid for the hours I am actually working for clients. So, if you want more than 15 minutes, you can always tell them that you will come in 30 minutes early or stay 30 minutes late, or take an appropriate pay deduction to make up the time.

My situation is a little unusual because I'm a medical resident, and so I'm paid as a stipend from the government and can't really take any sort of pay deduction. But I can get really bad evaluations/letters of recommendation/etc. if I disappear for hours each day to pump. I'm still in the phase of my career where I'm constantly trying to impress and show my dedication to the field.

Yeah. I didn't realize you were still in residency. It is one of those situations where it would be improper to deduct you based in that, so they wouldn't specifically reference that, they would just talk about your professionalism or dedication. Ugh!

Exactly.

mominwaiting29

I'm lucky I pump 3x per day at my desk door locked as long as I need and I get a ton of milk! About 5-6 oz per pumping session LO typically takes 4oz. I'm worried I'm creating an oversupply and often pump after LO feeds in the MOTN

MtnChickaD

I pump once in the AM after nursing, either at home or at work before clocking in. I pump twice during my work day, on my break and at lunch. I always pump for 20min. I am getting ~14oz a day but LO is eating 14-16. I try to pump twice a day on weekends, usually during naps to try and get us through the week.

I am super jealous of those of you whose babies only eat 9oz!!

srgoldbe

EmJ&B said:

srgoldbe said:

 12 minutes doesn't seem like enough. I am a pretty efficient pumper and my LC said to not pump less than 15 min at a time. I hope you can find a plan that works for you!

Interesting. Did she say why?


I'm not 100% sure behind her reasoning. It usually takes my LO 10-15 min to eat from my breast so she was saying that I should at least pump for the 15 min duration. She's a family friend who I really trust and she has been so helpful for these past months, so I usually just do what she says regarding BF without question!!

Inn2

I try and start feeding my LO by 7:15 each morning. I then pump 1x at work for around 20 minutes at 9:30ish. I'm back home between 12:15 and 12:30 to feed him. So far, he has only been needing one 4 oz bottle while I'm gone.

EmJ&B

srgoldbe said:

srgoldbe said:

 12 minutes doesn't seem like enough. I am a pretty efficient pumper and my LC said to not pump less than 15 min at a time. I hope you can find a plan that works for you!

Interesting. Did she say why?

I'm not 100% sure behind her reasoning. It usually takes my LO 10-15 min to eat from my breast so she was saying that I should at least pump for the 15 min duration. She's a family friend who I really trust and she has been so helpful for these past months, so I usually just do what she says regarding BF without question!!

Gotcha.

DS doesnt ever nurse more than 10 mins. Seriously. He's the fastest eater in the west.

sweettwilight16

EmJ&B said:

srgoldbe said:

srgoldbe said:

 12 minutes doesn't seem like enough. I am a pretty efficient pumper and my LC said to not pump less than 15 min at a time. I hope you can find a plan that works for you!

Interesting. Did she say why?

I'm not 100% sure behind her reasoning. It usually takes my LO 10-15 min to eat from my breast so she was saying that I should at least pump for the 15 min duration. She's a family friend who I really trust and she has been so helpful for these past months, so I usually just do what she says regarding BF without question!!

Gotcha.

DS doesnt ever nurse more than 10 mins. Seriously. He's the fastest eater in the west.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one with a fast nurser! It used to really worry me, but she has always gained enough weight & has enough wet diapers. Pedi just said she's an efficient eater

huntjul

I pump 3x/day.  If DH brings DD in to work at lunch to nurse, then I pump 2x.  I pump at my desk with my office door locked, so I still get work done and just pump as long as it takes to get 5-6 oz per pumping session.  DD is a big eater.  Usually that's around 10-15 minutes; 20 at most.  I usually only pump one side in order not to encourage oversupply, which I've had ongoing problems with.  I don't pump outside of work (same reason).

I have a freezer stash that's sufficient--a few days' supply--and only add to it if DD doesn't drink what I pump.