Pumping at work ...

Jennifer43

How often do you pump at work? How long do you pump for?

I'm trying to get as much as I can since C is taking more than I am pumping these days so I'm trying to pump as much as possible, but can't figure out if I pump for longer, or pumping more often, will get the most milk.

dani_girl08

I pump 1st thing in the morning (after I feed her) to drain any excess. It usually times out that I am drained right before I leave the house via a second feeding (on my late days) or a quick pump session. I pump 2 times at work (every 3 hours). It takes me about 10 minutes each time. It usually works out that she is ready to eat as soon as I get home. If for some reason she just ate, I will pump when I get home. I just try to be sure that I am drained an equal number of times a day as she eats. Does that make sense? So, to answer your question, I think it would be more helpful to pump more often ad opposed to longer. Also, when my supply was low, I would pump about an hour after she went to bed to try to trick my body into making more milk without risking being too empty when she woke up in the middle of the night. I know it's a lot of pumping, & a pain in the rear, but it helped to boost my supply.

MrsBlayne

I also try to pump every 3 hours although it doesn't quite work out that way. She eats at 4-5 am, 9, 12, 3, and 6 when I am home on work days she eats at 4-5 am, then I pump at 9, 12-1, and 4-5, and 8 after I get home. I also agree with pumping more often. I recently read you make milk at a faster rate when you are empty.

dani_girl08

MrsBlayne:

I recently read you make milk at a faster rate when you are empty.

I have read this too.  I always try to give the girls a few good squeezes to make sure they're empty when I'm finishing pumping. 

MmeBP

i used to pump right before leaving the house after N's first feeding and every 3 hours at work and then feed as soon as we got home around 6.

Jennifer43

So...another question. Do you wash your pump pieces between feedings? Just rinse them? I have only been pumping once at work since I'm only here about 5 hours, but am giong to try to get 2 pump sessions in to get more milk.

dani_girl08

I wipe mine down with a paper towel, & then I put them in a tupperware container & store them in the fridge.  As long as any residual milk stays cold, it shouldn't be an issue.  So, I use the same pump parts all day long.  

chickymel

dani_girl08:

I wipe mine down with a paper towel, & then I put them in a tupperware container & store them in the fridge.  As long as any residual milk stays cold, it shouldn't be an issue.  So, I use the same pump parts all day long.  

oh, good idea!  I admit I'm a little nervous to pump when I go back to work.  I have so many meetings, I'm afraid it might be hard on some days to have to re-arrange some things so I can get pumping time in.