Community› The Bump Message Boards› Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
New Discussion

Power pumping question?

TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
edited July 2014 in Breastfeeding
I posted last week about my pumping output decreasing. Well, yesterday was the first day that I wasn't able to pump enough in my usual sessions. I ususally pump 3 times a day for 15 minutes each. Yesterday, I pumped twice for 20 minutes each and then the third time I did 20 minutes, waiting a few and then pumped again for about 10 minutes. I still only got to 13 oz and i need 15. 

I think part of the reason for my output drop is that i no longer get 8 ounces out of my first pump because he has started to wake up hungry. He also sleeps through the night about half the time. 

I've started eating lactation cookies again but i'm thinking of trying to increase my output through power pumping (is that the right phrase?). 

If I were to do 20 minutes, wait 10, and then do 10 minutes every morning during my first pump, will that eventually increase my output for that first pump? or does that increase overall output throughout the day?

'd like to avoid adding an additional pumping session and would hope that I could stop cluster pumping at some point.

Just wondering how it works and what the impact of doing that would be. Any thoughts? suggeestions?

My son is almost 6 months and i was really hoping to pump only twice a day after 6 months but now i'm feeling like I'm really going to have to pump 4 times a day!!

TIA!
Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
Report Reply to Post

Re: Power pumping question?

  • TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
    Do I have to do that many to get results? :( 

    As it is, he nurses non stop (sometimes for comfort) until about 11 and then i pass out. I don't really have an opportunity to pump at night. 

    He's a little high maintenance ;)

    Thanks!!
    Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
    I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
    Thanks! Do i have to do it for a full hour? Has anyone done it for say 20 on, 10 off, 10 on again? 

    I think i  need to do it but having a hard time seeing how i'll fit it into my schedule. 
    Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
    I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
    Report Reply
  • hanafan36hanafan36 member
    When I was working on supply increase (1.7oz/pump to 5.1oz/pump, woo!) I just used two of my days off to have a pump marathon, where I did 20/10/10 in the morning and night but midday I did 20/15/10 because I lost track of time (darn tumblr). I also snacked on cashews and powerade, and my husband made me salmon salad sandwiches and oatmeal. After that I just did 30 min pumps every 4-5 hours and my output's just been going up as long as I get at least 4 qts of water. 

    Slightly unrelated, but I'm excited: My MIL just sent me a new pump that I LOVE. It's quiet and comfy and it's super easy to clean. ^_^
    imageimageimage
    imageimage  
    Report Reply
  • TheAnalyticalMommyTheAnalyticalMommy member
    Thanks! I had never heard of calcium and magnesium supplements... is that only if you have AF coming?

    My LO isn't consistently STTN yet so i don't think it's coming back but who knows! I guess that could be it. 

    My husband did note that my LO is eating more in the morning than he used to (which might be why i no longer pump 8 oz in my first session) and I've been drinking less water. 

    So i'm going to try the mini power pumping sessions and increase my water  a LOT! Hopefully that works. 
    Rachel (a.k.a. The Analytical Mommy.com and @analyticalmommy on IG)
    I'm just trying to make sense of things :-) 
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"