How long do you pump?

RingOfFire11 · April 2014

I returned to work last week and am pumping 3x while away. I keep reading to pump for 20 minutes but my milk usually stops flowing after 10 minutes (almost exactly). I don't usually get another letdown after this so keeping the pump going just makes me sore. I'm getting enough in these 10 minutes sessions so is there any reason(s) I should be forcing the session to last longer?

linzeek44 · April 2014

I would try playing around with the settings to see if another letdown is possible. (I usually could only get one letdown, but I always tried to get a second.)

Otherwise, I pumped a few minutes after the milk stopped dripping. If your pump is making you sore, you probably need to check flange size or lower the suction level.

cinderin · April 2014

I pump 20-30 min to stimulate supply even if milk has stopped. It should never hurt, so I would try different flanges as the pp mentioned.

RingOfFire11 · April 2014

Thanks, everyone. I'll try playing with the settings today.

jess9802 · April 2014

I always pumped 20 minutes (but I had three letdowns so it made sense). If you haven't been a regular pumper in a way you're training your body to respond to the pump and the stimulation will be important for signaling the need for milk. Give it a little bit of time to see if you get another letdown.

vvvvvfee · April 2014

if you're getting the amount of BM you need with 10 minute sessions, you don't need to pump more, IMO. i only ever pumped about 10-12 minutes per session-- after that point my breasts felt pretty empty and the milk slowed down to a trickle, so it just wasn't worth it to continue.

Unknown · April 2014

This content has been removed.

CNYBride05 · April 2014

Depends on which pump I'm using. PISA - 15-20 min, Symphony - 10-15 min

TheBorg7of9 · April 2014

I do 10 minutes and I get enough milk so I stop.

htk1113 · May 2014

I usually pump 20 minutes and can get two letdowns. Sometimes it takes a bit to get the first letdown to start so I give myself the full 20 minutes. I don't clock watch so sometimes I think I go more than 20. I also try to distract (relax) myself by working while pumping which allows me to have two let downs a session.

htk1113 · May 2014

linzeek44 said:

If your pump is making you sore, you probably need to check flange size or lower the suction level.

I agree with this. But if you feel the flange size is good try coconut oil or olive oil on your nipples to help lube up the flanges. That was recommended to me by my lactation consultant and it has worked wonders for me.

cnctf · May 2014

15 minutes. At Bout 10 minutes, I stop flowing. A helpful advice I received was when u stop Flowing , lean forward, jiggle your boob all around to the length of two happy bday songs and pump again. It gets your boobs flowing a bit again and helps you get the hindmilk out.

Ladyburd · May 2014

I also only pump for 10 min and get the amount that I need. I initially started pumping when DD was about 2 weeks and then returned to consistent pumping around 6 weeks. Pumping also made my nipples sore. I now put lanolin on them right before pumping and this has made all the difference in the world.

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