All things pumping

Karenpreggo

I have some pumping questions, and I thought it may be helpful to have a master board where we can ask pumping specific questions - why do cows make it look so easy?!

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My questions:
1.  What am I doing wrong?  I need to start building a stash for when I go back to work in 6 weeks.  Also, I'd like to have one feeding per day that anyone else could do.  My LC recommended pumping in the AM after he eats.  I'm lucky if I get 0.5 oz now (I used to get 2 and 4 oz = 6 total).  I started pumping 3x/day, which has worked out to about 3 oz of pumped milk total.  It's SO FRUSTRATING.  I don't think it's a supply issue since baby is gaining 2 oz weight/day, tons of diapers and seems satisfied.  How do I pump more volume? Should I try pumping after every feeding to increase my supply more?  Pump one breast while he eats the other?  This would work ~80% of the time, but sometimes he wants to drink from both - then what? Give him the expressed milk I guess?   At this rate, I'm never going to be able to separate baby from my breast. 
2.  How in the world do I use a hands-free pumping bra?  I get better milk expressed if I'm just holding the things, NOT using the bra.  I get almost nothing out if I'm wearing the bra.  What am I doing wrong - too tight? Too loose?

Thanks!

ETA: tried to make the gif of a cat drinking from a cow (it was super cute) work but I fail. Sleep deprivation for the win.

LadyStardust179

For the pumping bra problem make sure there isn't any fabric that has slipped under the flanges. That happened to me and it took a few minutes to figure out that I wasn't getting any suction because of it. 

missnc77

I haven't had any issues with this bra. I have it tight enough where my boobs feel really supported when zipped. It's adjustable, one size fits all. I'm a 38E right now (sigh)  and get plenty of support without the straps. 


Edit: Link  
https://t.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=30823796

Bellodomani

I never personally had this problem, but lots of my girlfriends were only able to pump a very small amount even though they had no supply issues. Some of the things they've used to increase output: flanges that were bigger/ smaller, flange inserts that more closely mimic the tongue (can't remember what they're called but someone posted a link in the BF discussion at one point), hospital grade pump, applying heat/ showering before pumping, massage/ breast compression during pumping. Good luck!

lizChesnut

Pumping!  I need this board! Not Really sure where to begin with pumping. Done it twice so far, once to try to prevent what I'm pretty sure was the start of a clogged duct and 2nd time for an appointment I had to leave lo at home with dad

lalala2004

lizChesnut said:

Pumping!  I need this board! Not Really sure where to begin with pumping. Done it twice so far, once to try to prevent what I'm pretty sure was the start of a clogged duct and 2nd time for an appointment I had to leave lo at home with dad

I started by pumping once a day in the morning. It seems like the earlier it is the more I pump. I try to pump between 15-30 minutes or whenever I have at least 2oz. I freeze them in 2oz increments and I leave whatever I have left in a storage bottle in the fridge until it's enough for a bottle. I like to have a thawed bottle on hand just in case. It's nice to have the option some time. Plus you never know what's going to happen and it's good to have a stash in case of emergencies.

Kennedy0830

Question about the Medela double electric pump. What setting are you all pumping on? Low, middle, cranking that baby to the max???

tgortney

Kennedy0830 said:

Question about the Medela double electric pump. What setting are you all pumping on? Low, middle, cranking that baby to the max???

I've been using low to release pressure to prevent engorgement/possible plugged duct after a BFing session if LO isn't draining both breasts well.

Middle to almost max is for when I EP and need the milk production (I usually get 1oz per hour, so 3 hours between pump sessions then 3oz is desired per breast). EP really has caused an oversupply for me so I'm trying to cut back to low to middle pumping. Plugged ducts are the worst! I even had a bout of mastitis

missnc77

@tgortney Whoops. I crank it up when I pump in the morning for a stash. I wonder if that's causing me issues?

@kennedy0830 I can't figure out which setting my boobs like the best. Sometimes I feel I get more with it going quickly, but other times the let down button helps me get more flow. Then after about 5 minutes my milk flow stops, and I turn it off and do the whole song and dance over again. At first, I keep it low because of the tugging pain, but eventually that subsides, so I turn it up. Before I know it, I'm at max with no pain. 

Why does this shit have to be so hard? I feel like breastfeeding and pumping is like solving a Rubik's cube, only if you keep getting it wrong, you get sick. When my child becomes a feisty hormonal teenager, I'm going to use this to guilt trip her into being nicer. 

That1didntcount

I started pumping at one week. I pump at the approximate 6 am feed - I nurse her from one side and pump the other. If I feel like she has drained a breast then I offer the side I pump from, but then I switch the pump to the other breast and still will get another ounce. It's like they say, your breasts are never empty, ha. 

I get anywhere from 4-6 ounces. However, this was not like with my first. I have the hospital grade medela. in my previous experience it made a huge difference. I began renting a hospital grade at 4 months with my last. This time, my work loans for free (which is amazing). Once I go back to work I will keep the lactina at work and my insurance pump in style and home for weekends and travel. 

I have been storing 4/6 ounces in each bag. I need to do some smaller ones but if I go back at 8 weeks, I think 4 ounce bottles are realistic or even thawing out the 6 for two 3 ounces. They definitely increase how much they eat! 

KidShrink

@Kennedy0830 : I almost exclusively pump (I also give him the breast 1-2 per day with a nipple shield) and I use it pretty much at the lowest setting as I'm able to get enough per pump (3-4oz per side for 15-20 min pump, more if I fall asleep on the pump...yes, it's happened multiple times). It shouldn't hurt. 

tgortney

@missnc77 I've been having a ton of problems with plugged ducts since I had my fever, body aches, and chills last Monday (pretty sure it was mastitis, lefty was hard as rock, hot, and low in milk flow when I pumped). If I go more than 2-3 hours without pumping, BAM, a mass of plugged ducts (on one or both sides). Then it's a pain in the butt to use heat then pump then cold compress then repeat every. f'ing. time. Finally when it releases, it feels heavenly then the cycle starts again if I sleep too long or whatever. 

So I started doing more research and I saw this: "It is normal for your breasts to become larger and feel heavy, warmer and uncomfortable when your milk increases in quantity (“comes in”) 2-5 days after birth. This rarely lasts more than 24 hours. With normal fullness, the breast and areola (the darker area around the nipple) remain soft and elastic, milk flow is normal and latch-on is not affected." 
https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/engorgement/

I've been using that guideline, since I had my pumping/BFing ready-to-throw-in-towel meltdown, and it's really seemed to help. I haven't been pumping until empty. After a BFing session, I pump for 10 minutes MAX or less. If I just want to pump, it's 15-20 minutes or until my whole breast feels soft and elastic but not until empty (if that makes sense). My problem is oversupply though.

Kennedy0830

There's a letdown button????? I guess I should've read the manual.

LadySamLady

When do you use the letdown button? And so you have to hold it down the whole time? 

gorgeousariel

The letdown automatically turns on after 2 minutes. If your milk starts flowing before the 2min then you can push the button to activate it early. If you havent started to flow yet and the 2 minutes has passed activating the letdown , you can push the button to switch back to the stimulation phase. Basically push the button to activate the other setting. 

kbrands7

Kennedy0830 said:

Question about the Medela double electric pump. What setting are you all pumping on? Low, middle, cranking that baby to the max???

It likely depends on how you respond to it, but overall it's best to use the gentlest effective setting so that you don't hurt your nipples. What got me the best output when I pumped often for DS was using a higher setting only for the first minute,  then lowering it to medium. When the milk rate slowed about 10 min in, I'd press the letdown button again and massage each breast (do it far enough from the nipple to not break your suction). If I was aiming to empty, I'd repeat the process until I has no milk coming down for a few minutes even after trying to stimulate a letdown. 
Edited typos and Eta I only used the very highest if I was using the battery pack.

bkjade

I can't really go higher than the 4 setting in my Freestyle without making my nipples sore so I don't even try. 

@kbrands7 - What's the reason to put it on the highest setting when using the battery pack? Efficiency, or is it better for the pump? 

kbrands7

bkjade said:

I can't really go higher than the 4 setting in my Freestyle without making my nipples sore so I don't even try. 

@kbrands7 - What's the reason to put it on the highest setting when using the battery pack? Efficiency, or is it better for the pump? 

I just never got as much power from the battery pack as from the wall, so running it all the way gave me the same suction power as halfway with it plugged in.

tgortney

https://www.mother-2-mother.com/ExclusivePumping.htm

DH found this really helpful article after my meltdown last night. Thought I'd share.

saltedcaramel518

Does anyone have the Freemie cups? I'm really interested in using them when I go back to work, but there's mixed reviews online. Some people say they're amazing, while others say it affects their supply. 

Kennedy0830

Stupid question, but do you still pump during the witching hours (LO will eat nonstop between 530-10pm and I didn't know if it was worth the attempt or not)?

JoMunson

Guys. I hate pumping. It makes me feel like a cow and my uneven supply stresses me out and instead of barely waking while doing night feeds I have to turn the light on and get the machine set up and sit there for fifteen minutes leaning forward (that's how low my rightys  supply is, I have to drop it into the bottle) while holding a bottle over my other boob so the drips don't go to waste, then soothe my baby back to sleep.
then during the day I gotta find a time when baby isn't asleep but my boobs wanna party to pump, and of course baby wakes up right after and I feel like I don't have enough to feed him.
and since I nurse on demand I don't know how to calculate my "magic number" for when I go back to work in September....and ugh I'm gunna have to make a kid/other teacher friendly sign to put on my door when I'm pumping.
i hate pumping. 

kbrands7

@JoMunson have you tried starting LO on the slacker boob to get a fast letdown, then pump that side while LO nurses the other? It may save you some time. 

JoMunson

kbrands7 said:

@JoMunson have you tried starting LO on the slacker boob to get a fast letdown, then pump that side while LO nurses the other? It may save you some time. 

I haven't tried that- also I love calling it slacker boob  
inusually hold LO with two hands while feeding unless I'm laying down, how do I hold the pump and the baby?

kbrands7

JoMunson said:

kbrands7 said:

@JoMunson have you tried starting LO on the slacker boob to get a fast letdown, then pump that side while LO nurses the other? It may save you some time. 

I haven't tried that- also I love calling it slacker boob  
inusually hold LO with two hands while feeding unless I'm laying down, how do I hold the pump and the baby?

When I went through it with DS, I preferred to use a manual pump because I could work it entirely with one hand. I'd put DS belly to belly with me sort if diagonally-- his head in my elbow area, my forearm down his back, and my hand supporting his butt. Logistically, I'd get the pump set up but not on the breast yet, then I'd have him nurse slacker first for a minute or so, then set him up on the good side and pick up the pump to work the other boob. 

Bellodomani

JoMunson said:

Guys. I hate pumping. It makes me feel like a cow and my uneven supply stresses me out and instead of barely waking while doing night feeds I have to turn the light on and get the machine set up and sit there for fifteen minutes leaning forward (that's how low my rightys  supply is, I have to drop it into the bottle) while holding a bottle over my other boob so the drips don't go to waste, then soothe my baby back to sleep.
then during the day I gotta find a time when baby isn't asleep but my boobs wanna party to pump, and of course baby wakes up right after and I feel like I don't have enough to feed him.
and since I nurse on demand I don't know how to calculate my "magic number" for when I go back to work in September....and ugh I'm gunna have to make a kid/other teacher friendly sign to put on my door when I'm pumping.
i hate pumping. 

Oh man I hated pumping in my classroom. No matter how big/ bright you make the sign, someone always ignores it! I always wore a cover over the whole deal just in case. 

kbrands7

Bellodomani said:

JoMunson said:

Guys. I hate pumping. It makes me feel like a cow and my uneven supply stresses me out and instead of barely waking while doing night feeds I have to turn the light on and get the machine set up and sit there for fifteen minutes leaning forward (that's how low my rightys  supply is, I have to drop it into the bottle) while holding a bottle over my other boob so the drips don't go to waste, then soothe my baby back to sleep.
then during the day I gotta find a time when baby isn't asleep but my boobs wanna party to pump, and of course baby wakes up right after and I feel like I don't have enough to feed him.
and since I nurse on demand I don't know how to calculate my "magic number" for when I go back to work in September....and ugh I'm gunna have to make a kid/other teacher friendly sign to put on my door when I'm pumping.
i hate pumping. 

Oh man I hated pumping in my classroom. No matter how big/ bright you make the sign, someone always ignores it! I always wore a cover over the whole deal just in case. 

Oh, yes! This!  

baby-2-due

My LC told me to pump for 15 minutes after feeding and to pump both breasts at the same time to help increase my pumping supply. My left side is always only .5-1.5 oz where I can get anywhere from 2-4oz on my right side in one pump. She told me 2oz was typical but idk if she meant per breast or total. She also told me pumping in the morning gives more than pumping at the end of the day. I've also noticed that the more liquid I consume during the day the better my milk supply is. She also said that the amount of pumped milk is no indication of how much my body is actually producing and that LO can pull more than a pump can. The bigger flanges work well for me, but I don't have a pumping bra I just hold them on. My biggest issue is that by the time I'm ready to pump between feedings, I finish and then she's hungry and my nipples are so enlarged from pumping and sore she can't latch so I end up giving her the pumped milk. So I haven't been able to store much for when I go back to work

tgortney

Anyone that wants to double pump, get the hands free pump bra! I love it so much!

JoMunson

kbrands7 said:

Bellodomani said:

JoMunson said:

Guys. I hate pumping. It makes me feel like a cow and my uneven supply stresses me out and instead of barely waking while doing night feeds I have to turn the light on and get the machine set up and sit there for fifteen minutes leaning forward (that's how low my rightys  supply is, I have to drop it into the bottle) while holding a bottle over my other boob so the drips don't go to waste, then soothe my baby back to sleep.
then during the day I gotta find a time when baby isn't asleep but my boobs wanna party to pump, and of course baby wakes up right after and I feel like I don't have enough to feed him.
and since I nurse on demand I don't know how to calculate my "magic number" for when I go back to work in September....and ugh I'm gunna have to make a kid/other teacher friendly sign to put on my door when I'm pumping.
i hate pumping. 

Oh man I hated pumping in my classroom. No matter how big/ bright you make the sign, someone always ignores it! I always wore a cover over the whole deal just in case. 

Oh, yes! This!  

Doesn't help that I share a wall/door with a male teacher who loves coming into my room to waste his time

missnc77

@kbrands7 I'm wondering if you can answer this - When I pour pumped milk into the bags, drops will usually get in the double zip part of the bag. I am still able to seal them though. But after going through my frozen stash and seeing those drops frozen in the double seal, I realized that it may cause the seal to expand in those spots. I put the bags in a large ziplock for extra protection against other things we freeze when I initially put them in the freezer. Have I made a terrible mistake with those drops? Will the milk still be okay? Hoping the extra ziplock for protection is my saving grace. 

missnc77

@tgortney I took your advice/strategy. This morning I put it on a low setting and didn't touch it. I pumped for 15 minutes and got 2 oz and called it a day. I usually aggressively pump my left breast for 20-25 and get 4 oz. We'll see if this helps keep overnight engorgment down. It means I'm building my stash half as slow, but I'm okay with that if it helps. 

(Sorry for two posts - typing with one hand!)

kbrands7

@missnc77 I've never had a problem with drops expanding a zip lock, but I also use a deep-freeze which keeps things consistently colder than a fridge freezer. I'm sure with double sealing you're completely fine, and likely with single sealing too. If you use the cone/flange as a funnel, you'll likely end up with fewer rogue drips too. I hope that helps!

missnc77

Yep! Using a spare flange is a great idea. Duh - why don't I think of these things? It's so hard to get those bags to expand before pouring. I used a clean spoon straight from the dishwasher this morning to open the bag before pouring, and I managed to not get a single drop in the seal. 

artteacher19

I am so thankful for this thread!! Ok so I want to start building my stash so that my DH can start feeding him once a day to get him used to bottles before I have to go back to work in late August. We plan to introduce bottles in July to start practicing. My main questions are:
1. Approximately how many oz should I plan per feeding for a 3 month old? Hes 10lbs now at 1 month old.

2. I seem to get only 2oz out of a boob in the morning. I've been pumping on the boob that Henry doesn't feed on in the morning. Should I freeze the 2oz in an ice cube tray and collect a couple cubes before placing into a bag? That doesn't seem sterile... Or should I just bag the 2oz so they stay sterilized? If I go straight to the bag can I add another 2 oz the next day? Should I add to the same bottle over 2 mornings before bagging? How many oz should I aim to have in each bag? Ahhh why is this so confusing!?! I need help...!

Kennedy0830

Not sure if this is a BFing or pumping question, but Kelly mom says to always use oldest milk first when bottle feeding breastmilk. My frozen pumped breastmilk from the first days my milk came in is definitely more yellow than white so I imagine it is different than what she's drinking now (white). Should I still use that first? She's 4 weeks old currently. Just want to make sure she's getting the 'right' stuff and not end up frustrated. We introduced her first bottle tonight and only did 2oz and I used a frozen bag from 2.5 weeks ago.

Sunshinebins

Kennedy0830 said:

Not sure if this is a BFing or pumping question, but Kelly mom says to always use oldest milk first when bottle feeding breastmilk. My frozen pumped breastmilk from the first days my milk came in is definitely more yellow than white so I imagine it is different than what she's drinking now (white). Should I still use that first? She's 4 weeks old currently. Just want to make sure she's getting the 'right' stuff and not end up frustrated. We introduced her first bottle tonight and only did 2oz and I used a frozen bag from 2.5 weeks ago.

I would say yes it's still good to go! I use milk back from the beginning of April now and my girls don't mind one bit. 

LadySamLady

@Kennedy0830 breastmilk changes depending on what baby needs at the time, sometimes it will be more yellow in color and sometimes more white, so no need to worry about that. I'm following the oldest first rule too! 

clbness

@Kennedy0830 It's ok to use the yellow stuff. It's probably just your colostrum...the good stuff!

tgortney

missnc77 said:

@tgortney I took your advice/strategy. This morning I put it on a low setting and didn't touch it. I pumped for 15 minutes and got 2 oz and called it a day. I usually aggressively pump my left breast for 20-25 and get 4 oz. We'll see if this helps keep overnight engorgment down. It means I'm building my stash half as slow, but I'm okay with that if it helps. 

(Sorry for two posts - typing with one hand!)

https://www.mother-2-mother.com/ExclusivePumping.htm

This article is about EP but has some really great stuff about pump settings, how long, how much, and how long it'll take for supply to establish. Some great tips about refrigeration and less washing of pump supplies too! 

wsgjmw1

tgortney said:

Anyone that wants to double pump, get the hands free pump bra! I love it so much!

Yasasss the hands free bra is legit ... Best purchase. I pump so many times a day that holding them was just not an option anymore , I need to multi task - especially when I am home by myself. 

My insurance gave me a free ameda purely yours pump and IMO it it not a good pump - suction was terrible. I just went out and got the medela pump In style advanced and it is amazing . The let down button is awesome. I am trying to work on my stash because I'm going back to work in a couple weeks! I use the lanisoh freezer bags and so far so good.