How often are you pumping?

lauramichelle58 · October 2015

Ive been exclusivly pumping as of late. My baby latches ok but we have to use a nipple shield which is constantly being knocked off and so on and so forth. Regardless, how often are you all pumping? I have a pretty good supply going and have been pushing from two hours to three to four etc. I obviously don't want my supply to lessen or have issues with mastitis (is that even how you get it?). Thoughts?

paine0925 · October 2015

FTM here and I'm wondering the same thing - I'll be following this thread to see what other moms have to say!

callistosmile · October 2015

I had great output for a week so I dropped to 5 pumping sessions a day. My output decreased significantly and suddenly so I'm back to 8 times a day. 20 minutes each time. Definitely wait longer than you think is necessary to establish your supply. Anything extra you get just means a head start on your freezer stash.

amylou512 · October 2015

When I started exclusively pumping, I pumped for 20 minutes 8 times a day (every three hours). About two weeks after that I dropped one of my nighttime pumps so now I pump 7 times a day for 20 minutes each (I combined the 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. pumps into a 2:30 a.m. pump). I get about 35-40 oz a day.

Edited to add: I am almost 5 weeks pp and have about 300 oz in the freezer.

thtrchic · October 2015

I'm trying to get to 8 times a day, but can't seem to get more than 6 while also taking care of the baby. Any tips for how you're managing this? You're not just leaving her crying in her crib for half an hour, right? That's what I'm not doing, but this last week anything that doesn't involve her being held leads to that.

I have very low supply and am really just supplementing with expressed milk and getting her her primary nutrition from formula, by the way. The constant making of formula and washing of bottles is not helping the time to pump issue.

v1wwo · October 2015

I am just like @amylou512 but I don't have a 300oz stash in the freezer - my baby is too hungry lol. But there has been times where I had to put my baby down and let her cry while I pump (would lay her next to me and lay my hand on her but it's not the same as holding her). It's a hard call to make -feed baby or calm baby.

jacksonsmomma11 · October 2015

thtrchic said:
I'm trying to get to 8 times a day, but can't seem to get more than 6 while also taking care of the baby. Any tips for how you're managing this? You're not just leaving her crying in her crib for half an hour, right? That's what I'm not doing, but this last week anything that doesn't involve her being held leads to that.

My little man cried the entire time too, so I usually just set up in the recliner, put my knees up and have him in my lap with a hands free bra or do one breast at a time while holding him on the other side

amylou512 · October 2015

A hands-free bra will be a life-saver. I usually try to calm my LO as much as possible and lay him down before I pump, but with a hands-free bra I'm able to get at least some movement in to calm him if I need to.

bumptink · October 2015

thtrchic said:
I'm trying to get to 8 times a day, but can't seem to get more than 6 while also taking care of the baby. Any tips for how you're managing this? You're not just leaving her crying in her crib for half an hour, right? That's what I'm not doing, but this last week anything that doesn't involve her being held leads to that.

I have very low supply and am really just supplementing with expressed milk and getting her her primary nutrition from formula, by the way. The constant making of formula and washing of bottles is not helping the time to pump issue.

I put LO in his boppy pillow and feed him from a bottle while I pump a lot of times! If DH is home he does the feeding while I pump.

I haven't established an intense schedule. I pump about every 3-4 hours. I'm able to pump about 1.5 times what LO needs, so it is working out great!

callistosmile · October 2015

I lay him in the boppy and feed him, or put him in his bouncer and rock him. A hands free bra is a must. I made a couple by cutting small holes in sports bras. I also try and pump while he's napping. I have 6 dr Browns bottles that I keep washed and full in the fridge at all times and 8 medela bottles to pump into. I also have two sets of pump parts. Having enough of everything really helps with time saving.

squigles28 · October 2015

I pump every 3 hours during the day give or take and when the baby wakes up at night, so usually one longer 4-5 hour stretch. Usually comes out to 7 times a day for 15-25 mins. When I'm trying to increase supply, I do a "double pump" which is my own modified power pump. I pump 15 mins, off 5-10, pump anywhere from 10-20 mins. I only do this once a day.
That being said, the only reason I can do this is my husband takes as many feedings as he can. If he isn't there, I only pump 10 mins. I either put baby in crib next to my chair and read to her or play mobile if she is calm. I hold her in a weird position between the flanges if not calm. I hate having to do that.
Hands free bra is a must have.

Ali8348 · October 2015

I EP and my little one is 6 weeks. I pump 6x a day. I pump at (or around) 4am, 8am, 12pm, 3:30pm, 7pm, and 10 pm. I do not pump at LOs 1 am feeding, mama needs sleepy. BUT i pump a lot of milk. The least amount I pump per session is 6oz and I just currently pumped 12.5 oz. That is plenty to feed baby and freeze some for now, if I start to fall behind I will add a session during the day.

kaybee03 · October 2015

The most I have ever pumped is 4 oz usually 3. but I pump every 2-3 hours to keep up with baby. I also give him 1-2 formula bottles a day. I thought my supply was okay, but maybe not... I have not been able to freeze a thing.

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