All about pumping

Re: All about pumping

• tisunge602 member

  January 2014

  - For how strong to turn on your pump, you'll want to turn it up as high as you can tolerate it, then slightly down from there. You'll find that level will increase as you get used to it.
  - How often you pump depends on your needs and can vary widely. Some women can pump more than others and only you know how much of a backup stash you're comfortable with. For example, I'm a SAHM but I still have situations where Dad or Grandma watches LO, etc. I try to pump once a day. Morning is a good time because your supply tends to be higher, although i know a lot of moms pump before they go to bed. You don't want to pump too often or you'll be dealing with oversupply issues. You'll figure out what works for you.

    
  
  
  

  
  

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• fusionbride member

  January 2014

  I'm assuming you just don't want to go in full blast, so what's the trick? if your pump has a "let down" setting, use that first.  If there isn't a setting for that, you want to start pumping more quickly until you have a letdown, then settle into slower pace.  For strength, PP was right.

  
  

  Also, how much is it typical to pump?  really varies.  If you are replacing a feeding, you should be able to pump about how much LO eats in a feeding (so 3oz for a very young baby, up to 6oz for a much older baby)   If you are pumping after a feeding session, anywhere from half an ounce to 3oz is typical, I'd say.

  
  

  I still plan on feeding but will need pump for when I need out of the house. How much should I keep stored?  this depends a lot, too.  Some SAHM moms never leave their baby for more than 1 feeding session, so they need like 6oz stored.  I worked, so needed like 14 oz stored at first, but then I worked up to having 50oz stored so that DH and I could go out of town for a night.  

  
  
  

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• lilies&orchids member

  January 2014

  I start with high speed, medium suction, and then change to a slower speed, higher suction after letdown. I only pump to replace a feed and get anywhere from 3-8 oz. and that is usually 2.5-4 hours from the last nursing or pump session.

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