Breastfeeding
unaveragejane
member
Pumping Times and Block Feeding?
unaveragejane
member
My LC recommended that I start pumping to help draw out my nipples so we can hopefully ditch the shield eventually. It didn't occur to me when I was there to ask about how long to pump. Right now I'm trying to do once in the morning after his first or second feed when I have a good supply and once in the evening when DH gives him a bottle. In the morning, I am inevitably tapped out after 8-10 minutes. I use the let-down button after about 5-6 minutes, but I just don't see any more milk coming after 10 minutes max. Since DS has just fed, is it okay to stop after 10 minutes in the AM? Also, how long should the evening pump be since it is replacing an actual nursing session? And since he usually feeds off one side at a time all day, should I alter the way I pump/just pump one side in the evening?
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Re: Pumping Times and Block Feeding?
you're not going to get a lot if you pump after a feeding- maybe an ounce or two. i think stopping after 10 minutes is fine.
most people pump for 15-20 minutes. you're should pump for a little while after your milk stops flowing to see if you get a second let-down. i only ever pumped for 10-12 minutes, though, and never got a second let-down. it also depends on how much milk you need for your LO (for instance, if you're at work and need to get a certain amount of ounces for your LO's milk the next day, you may need/want to pump longer to get more and stimulate your supply).
you should always pump both sides at once. the pumps don't stimulate your breasts as well as baby does, so it's preferable to have the dual stimulation to help with let-down. (an alternative would be to pump one side while your LO nurses from the other side.)