Working moms who pump-Duration ?

ab&jim

I'm going back to work on Wednesday. I plan to pump while at work and am lucky enough to have my own office to use to pump, so I can pump whenever I need to, as often as I need to. So my question is for working moms, how long do you pump? I typically only pump 10 minutes, but that can get me anywhere from 1.5oz to 4oz/side depending on how long it's been since I last fed my DD.

She is currently taking about 5-6oz anytime we give her a bottle. Anything less and she gets pissy. She is feeding about every 2-3 hours and I don't have her on a schedule, just try to read her cues and keep an eye on how long it's been.

Should I be pumping just long enough to get 6oz or is it better to pump for a particular duration? I have a freezer stash to dip into if she goes through a growth spurt and I can't keep up or my supply dips for some reason.

blondie75

I pump until until both breast are empty.  My first pump of the day will take about 20 minutes.  My mid-day (and late afternoon when needed) usually take about 10 minutes.

Barbie&Kevin

i only pump for 10 minutes because thats all the time i have but I should pump longer.  If you can pump longer, pump longer.  they generally say to pump until nothing else comes out or else your body will adjust

EastCoastBride

I pump 3 xs a day for about 15 - 20 mins each time.  I try to pump about the time DS is eating anyhow and I TRY to replenish what he eats.  But... that hasn't been working so we've been supplementing a bit w/ formula.

mrswalker22

I pump anywhere from 10-15 minutes, which about how long it takes to empty both sides.  I wouldn't recommend putting a time limit on it unless you have to.  Just play it by ear, see how long it takes for your let-down, and to empty both sides, and whatever extra you get above what your DC needs just start your freezer stash!

tmp-214118062502913

I have been pumping at work for a bit over a month now.  You will get faster, and each session will get you more as time goes by.

My first pump (around 9am) I get around 4oz from each breast (sometimes more).  Second pump, I usually get 2-3oz, and same with my third and final pump of the day.  When I started pumping, it often took 20 minutes to get 2 oz. per breast.  Now it's less than 10 minutes.