Power Pumping

biddy53178

So A is still a miserable bf-er. He actually latched yesterday twice, once for 20 minutes on my right side but for the most part throws a fit anytime there is a boob near his face. His tongue is still a big issue and we are seeing an ENT tomorrow to see if there is anything to be done or any exercises needed to bring that tongue forward. So anyway, yesterday during one of my many meltdowns r/t my worry that my milk was going to run out by the end of the week, my mom found an article on power pumping. It takes an hour- 20 minutes, then rest 10, then pump 10 then rest 10 then pump 10. My usual pumping volume has been anywhere from 20-40ml every 2-3 hours and today when I did a power pump I got 70 ml! that's almost an entire feed for him. Yay.

martinimomma

Yay!  So glad that gave you good results.  For being the "natural" thing, I have to say that BFing has been one of the least "natural" and easy things I have ever tried to do.  Good luck and stick with it!

molRN

Yay!  If BFing means alot to you keep trying.  Your LO is only 1 week.  Definitely be patient with yourself and with your LO.  Like PP said...although it is natural, it definitely doesn't come naturally.  GL!

magdalina.h

Woot! That's awesome. I would power pump every few months to up my supply.

butterflynola

Good for you keep it up!  I've always wondered what power pumping was I've seen some people with badges on here that say that but was kinda clueless.  You're not alone though, breastfeeding is by far the Hardest thing that I've ever done, Ever!  It's been an ongoing challenge but it's also soo rewarding.

ellebelle2384

Awesome!  Glad power pumping helped increase your supply.  One thing that helped me in the beginning was putting hot compresses on my boobs about 10-20 minutes before pumping.  The heat helps for relaxation as well as opening up the ducts.  Hope everything goes well with the ENT tomorrow!

Karen1998

sandyd:

Yay!  So glad that gave you good results.  For being the "natural" thing, I have to say that BFing has been one of the least "natural" and easy things I have ever tried to do.  Good luck and stick with it!

WORD.

Biddy, I power pump too, though I do it more to get the darn milk to release from the ducts.  It's a problem that showed up after about 3-4 months for me.  Though, I tend to do 20 minutes on, 30 minutes off and 20 minutes back on.  That schedule works best for me now.  However, in the beginning, I was pumping every 2-3 hours (with each feeding) so power pumping on a tighter schedule makes sense where you are right now.  You're also still early enough that you're probably still building up prolactin levels, so power pumping now can help you to build more up.  That's a good thing for supply.  

I hope the ENT appointment goes well.  If you do have to EP, you can do it.  It's hard, but doable.  However, BFing isn't the end all be all method of feeding your child and there's not a darn thing wrong with using formula.