can someone teach me how to pump please :)

GretchenlovesMichael · May 2009

other than a couple bottles (like literally two) of pumped breastmilk in the very beginning when my little lady couldn't latch very well, every feeding has been straight from the breast. (DS has never had a bottle.) i only pump once a day, if that, and only to build a freezer stash so that we can have bottles if needed, like so DH and i can go out alone someday haha, or so maybe i can sleep through a feeding if i get really over-exhausted.

i say all of this to say that i have no clue when it comes to pumping. i was initially using the medela symphony on loan from the LC at the hospital. then i bought the medela PISA backpack when i got really engorged one day and realized i did in fact need a pump. so that is the one i use.

here is what i'm doing, and i know it's not "correct." once a day, about an hour after a tandem nursing session late morning or early afternoon, i pump both sides simultaneously for about 5 minutes. i get an ounce or so from each breast, which makes me feel like i'm doing something wrong (shouldn't it be more?? i know my supply is fine for the babies b/c they are both gaining weight fine, he is way ahead in fact, and they have tons of wet/poopy dipes.) then once i get 4 ounces (usually 2 days since i only pump once a day) i freeze the milk.

also, when i'm pumping, i start the thing and it does the "rapid suck" setting. then, as soon as i see droplets of milk coming out (usually immediately) i push the "letdown" button and leave it on that slower setting until the spraying stops, a couple extra min maybe, and then i stop. i know there is way more milk in there but i don't know if i should keep pumping or what, and after the rapid spray stops i get little droplets for a while... if i keep going i do get another letdown though... i think? but am i supposed to put it back on the "rapid suck" setting between sprays?

also i put it on the lowest setting b/c it gets pretty uncomfortable if i turn it up higher than that but i know that it's not remotely as powerful as the babies' sucking...

omg i have NO IDEA what i'm doing lol thanks in advance for any help on this!

~CoCo~ · May 2009

First, KUDOS for BFing TWO little ones! That's awesome... Second, getting two oz an hour after tandem nursing, for 1mo old LOs, I think is good.

I'm not a regular pumper, but I have been doing it for 6+mos, so I can at least tell you what I do. I also have the PISA, and when I first started pumping, I could only do the lowest setting. It was torture. Now though, I turn it up to ~ 75% full suction....

I do not tinker with the fast-suck vs long-suck button. The initial rapid sucking is to stimulate the letdown, and the longer, more powerful sucking extracts as much milk as possible (you're right- the pump can't get as much as a baby, so using a lower setting will not get the maximum milk out).

I would freeze the milk as it's pumped though, instead of waiting to get the 4oz. You can always combine the milk when you thaw it for later use.

bethCT · May 2009

I don't mess with the let down button either, let it do its thing longer. Also, I have heard that you should continu to pump a few minutes after you think you are empty. Sometimes, I push the sides of the shield into my breast at odd angles (does this make sense), so it is still sucking, but pushing into the sides of my boob - you know? That usually gets me more milk.
But really, if you are feeding 2 babies, 2 ounces is fabulous!

AnimalHouse · May 2009

I'm no expert but here's what I do. I pump once a day about 45 minutes-1 hour after the first morning feeding when you will have the most milk. I have the same pump and hit the letdown button as soon as I see milk. I will go for about 15 minutes and will have two and sometimes three letdowns during that time. I don't switch back and forth between the settings and I'm not sure if you are supposed to! At first I was getting 1 ounce total and now (3 weeks later) I'm getting about 4 ounces total. I noticed I would get about 1/4 ounce additional each day as my body adjusted to the increased demand. It was also pretty uncomfortable for me at first but now I can increase the suction.

Also, if you want to be able to give a bottle occasionally I would introduce one now and give a couple a week to be sure they will take one if there is ever a time they HAVE to take one. Sounds like you are on the right track. I usually keep one bottle of milk in the fridge at all times and freeze the rest. I have about 30 ounces frozen at this point. DS gets 1-2 bottles a week and hasn't had any problems switching between bottle and breast.

katlizabeth · May 2009

Okay, your babies are the cutest! I love the top picture with them looking at each other!

I do pretty much what everyone else is saying-I have the same pump as you-I pump when I feel like it (1-4 times a day, depending on when ds is sleeping or how much he's eating or when I'm home with time to do it, etc.) and I do use the letdown button, and then when I see milk from both sides, I push it to the regular suction. I wait until I don't see any more milk and then I sometimes stop and sometimes hit the letdown again. I pump for about 10 minutes, and I've never had a second letdown (even when I pump twice as long). I do the same thing you do, save milk until I get 4 oz and then combine it and put it in the freezer.

I think you're doing pretty much what I'd do! (of course, this is all new to me! I had to ask how to push the letdown button while both my hands were busy holding the suction cups to my breasts!)

LucyPevensie · May 2009

Hey mama! I have an Ameda Purely Yours pump so can't speak to the Medela settings but .. I would suggest pumping for close to 20 minutes if you can - 15 minimum. I usually pump for 30 and get at least two good letdowns during that time. I start on a fast pump with lower suction -- once things start "slowing down" I switch to a slower speed but with more suction - this gets things going again - and then when things slow down again - I switch to fast speed on the same increased suction and go until the milk stops flowing - and then a few minutes more after that. While pumping - you want to do some compression and massage on your breasts - you'll get a lot more volume than if you just totally rely on the pump.

Two things I love: pumpin pals (www.pumpinpals.com) and my pump ease hands free bra (www.pumpease.com)

Happy pumping! You're amazing!

GretchenlovesMichael · May 2009

thank you SO MUCH ladies!!!! you are the best!!! i think i can get ahold of this and i will try some of your suggestions! esp the breast compressions, etc - i didn't know to do that!

mrslinde · May 2009

good question!

Want a personalized experience?

can someone teach me how to pump please :)

Re: can someone teach me how to pump please :)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards