How often are you/were you pumping for your baby in the NICU

Gsk4874 · October 2013

I can't breastfeed the girls yet so I'm pumping, my milk started coming in today. Not a lot but enough to give them each a little. The lactation lady I talked to here said to pump every 3 hrs for 20 min. I'm sure she knows what she's talking about but just want to make sure that's normal. How often and for how long is everyone else pumping for?

Throw3ks · October 2013

That's what I do. Anywhere from 2.5-3 hours and 15-20 minutes each.

direy25 · October 2013

That was my schedule for me, I was told I could take one 5 hour stretch at night to help get some sleep.

Missa_g · October 2013

Yes, every three hours for 20 minutes around the clock. Invest in multiple kits and a hands free bra!

vsalt31 · October 2013

I did every 3 hrs for about 2-3 weeks. After that, I pumped more like every 4 to 4.5 hrs.

carrotcake06 · October 2013

Yup. I did every 3 hours for 30min. Even when I got them to latch, I still pumped afterward and that skin to skin + pumping really helped.

PhillyGal34 · October 2013

At first it was 20 mins every two hours. Then every three hours and I would skip one at night. I ended up with a major oversupply so maybe it was too often/ long at first.

luvboston · October 2013

Every 3 hours for 15 mins or 8 times a day

Brummy14 · October 2013

I pumped every 2 hours during the day and every three at night -- for at least 20 minutes, often more. I also had two power pumping sessions a day (20 min on - 10 min off - 10 min on, etc - for an hour) -- as I needed to really get my supply up for twins!

So, yes, the LC is spot-on with those recommendations.

Pips09 · October 2013

That's the same schedule I used. I took at 5 hour stretch at night to get some sleep, but otherwise every 3 hours around the clock.

jbranden12 · October 2013

I did every three hours during the day with two 4-hour stretches at night. The only thing I would take note of is that you want to pump until you are empty to build supply as much as possible. Sometimes it took me more than 20 minutes, but I would try not to go more than 30 to protect your nipples.

jcsntms06 · October 2013

I pumped every 3 hours for 20 to 30 minutes. I found that if I pumped at the baby's bedside that helped too. Hang in there Mama!

epapcun · October 2013

Agree with all PP. Every 3 hours for 15 to 20 mins a side and definitely invest in a hands free bra and double pump!

LaciJaxx · October 2013

Yep, every 3 hours for 20 mins. If by chance milk is still coming out at 20 mins, keep going until empty. And tye let down feature on my pump worked wonders. I'd use it at about 8 mins and maybe again around 15. And I'd get more milk.

rkcaraway · October 2013

Our lactation consult has me doing 7-8 15 minute pumps per day. She said that I will figure out what works best for me and my body. I have been doing every 3-4 hours for 10 days since LOs were born. Tonight I did a couple 2 hour intervals so that I could get 5-6 hours of straight sleep tonight (with LC blessing). She said some mom's perform better after getting some sleep and since I have not been having problems with my milk supply thus far it wouldn't hurt to try it. Did they give you a charting grid? I highly recommend tracking.

Good luck and congrats on the birth of your LOs!

megs2011 · October 2013

I pumped every 3 hours for 15 mins for the first 5 days, then it was still every 3 hours for 20-30 mins or 2 mins after the last drop of milk, which ever came first. I had a major oversupply so I usually stopped around the 20 min mark. I was told the best time to pump was between the hours of 1-4 am which is when your hormones are the highest.. this is when I got the most milk pumped. Once my milk was good and I had a good stock going, I would sleep longer at night.

Gsk4874 · October 2013

Thanks ladies! My milk came in and is coming like crazy! I'm so happy they can start getting some breast milk now. Makes me so so happy! My boobs on the other hand or so sore, and I could definitely keep going after 20 min but I do stop. I'll have to talk to then LC tomorrow and see if should pump until empty but I feel like it's never ending!

elizacb · October 2013

While I was in the hospital they had me on a pretty strict pumping schedule of every three hours, but I got a six hour break at night to sleep. Now, I do every 3ish hours (I just started my third week in). We started to try breast feeding last week and that seemed to really ramp things up. I have to drink A TON of water to stay hydrated. At night is the hardest for me. I can wake up to do the 3AM pump, but RARELY do I ever make a three and six o'clock session. Sometimes I just do it at seven and the world has not ended yet. Plus, my guy is on a pretty strict schedule and is cue-ing really well so I don't think it'll be a problem when we get home.

LaciJaxx · October 2013

I had to pump until empty or my boobs would get sore. I also tried sleeping longer at night too early and was in severe pain for a few days. It wasn't worth it! Lol. My LO is three months old now and I have a ridiculous stash so I'm going longer between pumpings. Good luck!! You'll figure out what works for you

Gsk4874 · October 2013

I talked to the LC today. She said I should do every 2 hrs during the day for 20/25 min and every 3 hrs at night. This will be my fourth night, I'm exhausted but going to do my best! The are getting 7ML of breast milk every 3 hrs and tonight they are going to up it to 9. The dr said the more milk they can get then they can slowly start coming off their IV fluids!

Brummy14 · October 2013

Good job, mama! The every three hours at night is rough, but you'll get used to it. If you can, start "sleeping" earlier -- I started going to "bed" around 7 or 8PM, knowing I'd be up so often, I needed nearly an 11-12 hour stretch of "sleep time" with all of those pumping sessions thrown in to get close 7-8 hours of aggregate sleep.

slh6363 · October 2013

Every 2-3 hours during the day, and 4-5 at night..the LC said to do this to get some sleep! My LO is a week old now but still have a low supply so may need to increase. .he gets about half and half right mow.

dandywarhol · October 2013

We were in the NICU for 99 days. For the first month I pumped every 2-3 hours for 20 minutes, round the clock. When she was about 2 months old I changed to every 3 hours for about 15 minutes with a 4 hour stretch at night. When I began breast feeding her I would also pump about 10 minutes after each BF.

ComfortablyNumb · October 2013

Every 3 hrs for !5-20 minutes.

opheliainwaders · October 2013

When I was in the hospital I also did 20 mins every 3 hours; once we came home again, I worked with a different LC, who suggested switching back and forth between the letdown setting and the regular setting on the pump, and it helped stimulate more milk faster, so that I was getting the same amount in about 10 mins as I had gotten in 20.

Bear in mind, though that at that point, DD was doing a trial of nursing for 8 mins, then getting a pumped bottle and/or formula supplement, and then I would pump. It may be quite different with EPing, so take my suggestion with a grain of salt!

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