Pumping Tricks

mandy1023

I was just wondering if anyone had some tricks up their sleeves to get more milk while pumping.

 

Right now I can spend a 1/2 hr (15 mins on each side) and I might get 2 oz... any tricks would be wonderful

mben1119

You're going to want to pump longer than 15 minutes a side, to start. How old is your LO? It can take a few weeks to really build a supply, so 2 oz to start is good. Why are you pumping?  To supplement, to build a stash, or to EP? 

mandy1023

She is 8 weeks.  Just the odd time so my husband can feed her.

 The LC at the hospital is the one who actually told me not to do more than 15 mins per side

Kadyra

If I only did 15 minutes a side I'd be engorged and have plugged ducts all the time. I pump until I don't see any more spraying. Sometimes takes 30 minutes. And then I hand express after. I get a half ounce to an ounce more doing that. They have good videos on YouTube of the Marmet method.

ETA I have a double electric pump. So it's a total of 30min and both sides get done in that time.

mben1119

mandy1023:

She is 8 weeks.  Just the odd time so my husband can feed her.

 The LC at the hospital is the one who actually told me not to do more than 15 mins per side

2 ounces in 15 minutes isn't bad, then. Up your pumping time to 20 minutes a side and see what happens.

kadokatie30

I think everyone is just different. I'm bone dry by 20 minutes of pumping. Sometimes i'm done in 10. So I would just trying different things and see what works for you. 

LittleApple

mandy1023:

She is 8 weeks.  Just the odd time so my husband can feed her.

 The LC at the hospital is the one who actually told me not to do more than 15 mins per side

 I think they meant for nursing, not pumping.  Pumping is totally different.

kelbel527

LittleApple:

mandy1023:

She is 8 weeks.  Just the odd time so my husband can feed her.

 The LC at the hospital is the one who actually told me not to do more than 15 mins per side

 I think they meant for nursing, not pumping.  Pumping is totally different.

I've also been told no more than 10-15 minutes per side for pumping, so you're not alone on that.

Like the other ladies said, try pumping longer, just pay attention to when you stop pumping.  I EP'd with DS1 for awhile and 10 minutes or 30 minutes, I still got the same amount.  I never had a second let-down or anything.  The pump just isn't as efficient as a baby.

I also only get about 2oz (total) when I pump in between LO's feedings.  When I pumped instead of a feeding (with DS1 - I haven't done it this time), I got a lot more.

sarah62584

Three words for you: Hospital Grade Pump. I EP and use a hospital grade pump. I spend maybe 10-15 mins and get 4+ ounces each time. Sometimes I have to stop because the bottle gets too full! To shorten up a long story...I had to switch to EP and was using just a standard pump you can buy and had the same problem you did. We have a BF clinic here and they suggested a hospital grade pump to help build a supply and to help reduce my stress level (pumping and then feeding the baby what you have just pumped is A LOT of work!)  A lot of hospitals rent them out or if you have a Babies R Us. Where I live we have a few individuals who rent them out as well. I would advise you to ask around, call your hospital if you have any breastfeeding groups ask them if they know where you can get one. Keep up the hard work!

oprastr

Try breast massage and drink a ton of water right before you pump.

skate88

If this after you breast feed? Or in between feedings? if so, that makes perfect sense. I would consult your LC again and tell her/him and see what the LC says. My DD is 6 weeks and I occassionnally pump one breast to build a stash after she has feed on the other...and I get 2 oz in 5-10 minutes. But when I pump on a breast that has already been feed on, I get much less.

RachelOC

I have heard that you can get more milk with a manual pump because you control the suction. I have the 30 dollar medela pump and I am sort of EP (I breast-feed for comfort sometimes) and it works really great. I squeeze the breast while pumping and more milk usually comes out. I try to squeeze all the "hard" parts of the breast because that is where the milk is trapped I think. Once I empty the breast, the entire breast should be really soft so I know I'm done. I also hold the suction from the pump for about 5 seconds and it makes the milk start letting down very quickly. When I do the hold the suction technique, I can get 5 ounces in about 3 minutes from each breast. I do have a very, very good supply though.  

g8trkim

I would pick one or two feedings per day (definitely the first feeding in the morning, and maybe the last one at night) and pump right after you nurse. Pump around 15 min per side. You may not get much at first, but it will build up.

mandy1023

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!!