Breastfeeding

How long are your pumping sessions?

I typically pump for no more than 10 minutes (I have a Medela Freestyle pump so I do both boobs at the same time). In that time, I usually get between 5-6 ounces (sometimes more if it's been more than 3 or 4 hours since I last pumped). I noticed that some women pump for as long as 25 minutes per pumping session. I usually stop at around 10 minutes because nothing is coming out anymore. Can you experience another letdown even after milk stops trickling out? I guess I could always try it, but thought I'd ask first.

Re: How long are your pumping sessions?

  • Is that 5oz total (between the two) or 5oz each side - just wondering.

    I pump on average for 15 minutes.  But - sometimes I can go as long as 25 minutes.  Maybe you have a quick letdown - I wish.  I hate clock watching when I am pumping at work.

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
  • Letting the pump run after you stop is supposed to stimulate another letdown.

    I pump 5 times a day for 25-30 minutes. I pump that long because that's how long it takes to completely empty out my breasts. My breasts have also gotten used to producing x-amount a day and if i pump less than that I usually get a stupid clog. 

  • Loading the player...
  • I always go 20 minutes.  I get 90% of my output in the first 5 minutes however when I started pumping for only 10 minutes I noticed my supply slowly decreased.  It is all supply and demand.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • imageNiniJ55:

    Is that 5oz total (between the two) or 5oz each side - just wondering.

    Total

  • I generally aim for about 15 minutes.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I have less than 15 minutes at a time so that's all I can pump for.  I do notice that I think I'm done and then it starts dripping again.  I also try to massage my breasts when I think it's stopped and then pump another minute or so
  • I pump at work twice for 10 minutes each session, and usually wind up leaving work with about 15 oz total.  (I also pump when I wake up, if DS isn't up yet.)  This gives me MORE than enough for his time w/o me.
    Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers
  • I have the same pump (freestyle) and I pump about 5-6 oz total per pumping session. I generally pump about 10 minutes as well.

    My DD eats quickly as well, I wonder if there's a correlation. She usually done in about 10 minutes. I suppose that it makes sense. Must be a quick let down?

  • When  I was pumping for DS at work, I would pump every 3-4hours for about 20-25min and get about 3oz total per session.  I think they recommend pumping about 2min after your last flow.  Everyone responds to the pump differently and I didn't respond well.  It sounds like you do!

    From https://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/maintainsupply-pump.html

    Empty the breast as thoroughly as possible at each session. To ensure that the pump removes an optimum amount of milk from the breast, keep pumping for 2-5 minutes after the last drops of milk. Use breast massage prior to pumping, and massage and compressions during pumping to better empty the breasts and increase pumping output.

    If this is happening after 10 min, then that is great!

    My Bio
    Blog
    Miles Alister. 9.17.2007. 8# 6oz 21.5inches
    Isla Penelope. 10.21.2010. 8# 3oz 21 inches
    image
    2 Months 11# 6oz 23.5 inches
    4 Months 13# 6oz 25 inches
    6 Months 14# 15oz 27 inches
    9 Months 17# 10oz 28 inches
    12 Months 19# 10oz 28.75 inches
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"