How long/often to pump

rascus15 · March 2014

I am trying to get my milk to come in. I can not put my son to my breast so I am exclusively pumping. When I first started pumping the most colostrum I got was 1 to 1 1/2 mls. When I started to get milk droplets, the amount decreased. Now I get nothing to maybe a half ml from each breast per session. I had a breast reduction years ago and was told I may not be able to breast feed but I am not willing to give up. He is 11 days old now. When I first started pumping I did it for 10 minutes every 2 hours then increased the sessions to 20 minutes but spaced them every 3 hours. How long did you pump, and how often? I am thinking I should try 20 min every 2 hours.

PurpleIris30 · March 2014

I did 20 minutes every 3 hours around the clock. At 11 days, though, I would consult with a lactation consultant to see if they have tips, too. There were several that would come to the NICU at my hospital.

KTZ17 · March 2014

Definitely see a lactation consultant. At first when you're just getting colostrum you shouldn't get that much and it's hard to pump, but I think milk usually comes in by day 5. I pumped for 30 minutes every 3 hours with one 4 hour stretch overnight. My milk came in on day 4, but they didn't let me pump for over 24 hours after DD was born because I was on a mag drip. I think for that reason I have never had a full supply. I've taken every herb there is to take for supply and domperidone, but I've never been able to give DD a full feeding (other than in the beginning when she was only taking like 40ml). Best of luck to you!

BLPL101 · March 2014

I would do it more often than every 3 hours. Newborns eat often. I've been exclusively pumping for 14 months. Never had to supplement, but I've been religious with my pumping. I did it for 20 minutes...sometimes longer if the milk was still coming out. You want to empty your breasts.

BLPL101 · March 2014

I would do it more often than every 3 hours. Newborns eat often. I've been exclusively pumping for 14 months. Never had to supplement, but I've been religious with my pumping. I did it for 20 minutes...sometimes longer if the milk was still coming out. You want to empty your breasts.

Bluebird2318 · March 2014

I did it every 2-3 hours, roughly 15-20 minutes each time. I always made sure my breasts were empty and then continued for a couple minutes after that before stopping.

rcnavywife · March 2014

I pump roughly every 3 hours for a total of about 8 sessions per day, 15-20 min at a time. I was on domperidone for the first month to kickstart my supply. And I agree with pp, drink lots of water! I find it easy to forget, especially in the NICU.

ludali · March 2014

I did 20 min every 2 hours...even overnight. After maybe 2 weeks, I did 3 hours at night.

carrotcake06 · March 2014

I did 30min every 3hrs around the clock and it took 3 days to get even a drop and 5 days to get volume.

It took 10 days for me to catch up with their feedings.

Definitely get with an LC and see what they say.

Brummy14 · March 2014

PurpleIris30 said:
I did 20 minutes every 3 hours around the clock. At 11 days, though, I would consult with a lactation consultant to see if they have tips, too. There were several that would come to the NICU at my hospital.

Exactly this. My goal was to pump at least 10x a day for the first three months - including one, if not two, power pumping sessions per day. I was attached to the pump upwards of 8-9 hours a day, at times, but managed to painstakingly increase my output enough to hardly need to supplement at all. Now, my scenario was more extreme with twins to feed and an awful supply to start -- just keep, keep at it -- and definitely see an LC. Our NICU had dedicated ones, and someone was always available during regular hours, including weekends.

KatFCo · March 2014

In addition to what the ladies above have said, check out the breastfeeding board for tips on increasing your supply. Kellymom.com is also a great reference.

Good luck! You can do it.

rascus15 · March 2014

Thank you ladies! My hospital's LC quit. Her last day was the day after my son was born and they have not replaced her yet. I was supposed to go see a local LC at the end of last week but she had to cancel due to a sick child. Will try again this week. I have not tried power pumping yet so will give that a try. I will also up my water again and see if that helps. I have been trying to drink lots, but maybe it just isn't enough.

aguy2011 · March 2014

The size of the pump part that covers your nipples may be wrong size. With me, who is not large person, apparently I needed larger size so nipple not rub side. Seek a lactation consultant:)