Pumping ?: done in 5 mins?

DottyBlue

I have been pumping more regularly over the past two days since I have DS in daycare for short days in prep for going back to work on Monday.

When I pump I am literally done in 5 minutes and get 34 oz. I know the board recommends pumping for at least 20 minutes, but I never get a second let down, even with massage and compression.

Should I continue to pump for 20 mins? I assume it will continue to stimulate my supply? Is there anything else I can do to get that second let down? Or do some people just not have a second letdown?

Thanks!

SugarWorms

You get 34 oz in 5 minutes of pumping?!  Woah, I had no idea that was possible.  When I would pump, I had to wait 20 mins just to try and get a few oz.  Pumping longer for you makes no sense, if your supply is like that.

FutureMrsBB

From Kellymom

Most experts agree that whatever the reason for pumping, moms should pump for about 20 minutes. Most agree its best to pump at least 15 minutes, and to avoid going much longer than 20 minutes. Experts also encourage pumping about five minutes past when the milk stops flowing, often by doing so mom will elicit another letdown, and at the very least will maintain production as well as encouraging increase in supply if needed.

The standard advice is to pump for 1520 minutes. Even if you dont have milk flowing that entire time, you need to pump that long to get enough nipple stimulation. Also pumping at least 5 minutes after your milk stops flowing will tell your body that you need more milk; thus increasing your supply. 15 minutes should absolutely be the minimum pumping time. Ive talked to women who only pumped for 10 minutes and eventually started losing their supply. They had to work really hard to rebuild it.

hpoff33

I usually get 5.5-6 oz in 15 mins. and pump 3 times a day while I am at work.  I may go a few minutes past that, but very rarely will I go to 20 mins.  When I started pumping at work almost 3 weeks ago, I was getting 4-5 oz.  So by following the above guidelines I have definitely seen an increase in my supply. 

Jenny952

Lucky you!!  I could pump for 20 minutes and only get about 5 oz total, maybe a little more if it's been a while since I pumped.  You could sit and pump for 15 more minutes if you need more milk, but if you get all you need in only 5, then consider yourself lucky!!!

DottyBlue

Lol. Mobile bump deletes hyphens and I forgot. That was 3 to 4 oz, NOT 34 oz. I would have to be bf'ing septuplets to get that much milk in one session!

Thanks for the info!

JaimeG183

the rule of thumb seems to be to pump for 5 minutes past when milk stops flowing to not decrease your supply.

I would at least pump for 10-15 in that case and make sure it's frequent (every 3 hours)

Does your baby nurse for very quick sessions?

mexicolombiana

I don't pump for very long.  Never have.  When I start pumping I get a few drops, about 2 min. into pumping my milk lets down for a few minutes and I get 3 oz out of my left and 2 out of my right on avg.  sometimes more. I pump for a total of about 8 min and i'm done and get about 5 oz total now a days. 

If I keep pumping past 8 min I might have a small second let down but not much.   

jess9802

When I first returned to work at eight weeks postpartum I pumped twice a day for 10 minutes. After about three weeks my supply began to drop a bit, and I had to add a third session and pump for 20 minutes. I have been able to maintain my supply just fine ever since.

Milk supply does regulate at some point, and if you have a bit of an oversupply now it may well correct itself, especially if you're working outside the home and only pumping a few times during the work day. At that point, five minutes will not be sufficient.

LauLauCC08

I get 5 to 6 oz in about 5 minutes and then stop. I would be scared of how much milk I would get in 20! If I pump in the morning the amount is about double. The good thing is my stash will be huge when I go back to work.

MsOCT

I get 5-6 oz. in the 10 minutes that I pump, I work 12 hour shifts 3x week, and easily bring home 15-18oz a day. I would go crazy pumping x 20 minutes, and obviously don't need more milk! I've had a great supply throughout, however, might be different if I had trouble. LO is 7.5 mos.