Exclusively pumping

cherylrcooper · February 2016

Mom's who are exclusively pumping breast milk. ..how often do you pump and how do you get through longer nighttime stretches as baby begins to sleep longer??

Lolo427 · February 2016

I pump 8 times a day minimum, every 2-3 1/2 hours, depending on how things are going I might power pump to help my supply. For the most part I pump when baby eats (which is ideal because supply and demand should be the same from baby to pump). Last nights pump is between 9-10pm, then I pump when she's up throughout the night. Usually I pump and DH feeds her, but on nights he needs a break, I feed her and then pump. Some nights I pump 3 times, others I've slept in and was woken with the need to pump due to feeling somewhat uncomfortable , but for me it's never been a huge issue.

Edit: words, so tired.

GoogleMD · February 2016

When I EP I would pump 6 to 8 oz every 4 hours. I would pump right before bed and then about hours later I would get up and pump.

mrsgabus · February 2016

Gosh I wish I was getting 6-8oz every 4 hours. I try to pump every 3 hours which gets me maybe 4 oz on a good day and I sleep from 12-7 without pumping .

I've never been to engorged in the mornings but have leaked a few times during the night

ColoradoHiker · February 2016

Okay, let's start with that I think I have a huge oversupply. I pump (depending on time of day, water intake, etc) anywhere from 5-9 oz per breast every session. I decided to drop my pump schedule from 7-8 pumps, every three or so hr, to 6 pumps, every fourish hrs, last week. My boob's were a little uncomfortable and leaky until they got used to it, but the extra sleep has been worth it. DS has started doing 4-6hr sleep stretches at night, and I can go about six hrs before I'm uncomfortable.

Also, I read on Kelly mom (I think) that the total amount of time is more important than the number of pumps, at best right around 2hr a day. So, 15min pumps when doing 8x, 20min for 6x. My supply has not dropped from decreasing pumps but increasing pump time.

kmd91 · February 2016

I've been pretty lucky in that I only pump 4 times a day. Each session I generally get about 4 oz from each breast, but lately it's been more like 5 oz each. I get up once in the middle of the night at 3 am to pump.

natalknitter15 · February 2016

ColoradoHiker said:

Also, I read on Kelly mom (I think) that the total amount of time is more important than the number of pumps, at best right around 2hr a day. So, 15min pumps when doing 8x, 20min for 6x. My supply has not dropped from decreasing pumps but increasing pump time.

I'm curious about this! After about 3 mins of pumping, I find that I've gotten all of the milk (3-4oz total) that there is to be had. I've tried waiting for a "second let-down," which I've heard some people talk about, but no luck - just sore nipples. It would be so much better for my work schedule if I could do longer, more productive pumps. If you can find the article, I'd love to read it. I did a quick search, but couldn't find it.

smnewby · February 2016

kmd91 said:

I've been pretty lucky in that I only pump 4 times a day. Each session I generally get about 4 oz from each breast, but lately it's been more like 5 oz each. I get up once in the middle of the night at 3 am to pump.

When you switched from 3hr spacing to 4hr+ spacing did you/anyone notice your total ounces pumped stay the same over time? I would love to space my pumping out more but am worried i will hurt my supply.
Currently I can pump 5-7oz total every 3hrs but overnight/after a solid 5hr strerch of baby sleeping I have been able to pump 5-7oz per side! I would love to just pump every 4-5hrs but am scared to try that regularly for fear of reducing my output.

ColoradoHiker · February 2016

natalknitter15 said:

ColoradoHiker said:

Also, I read on Kelly mom (I think) that the total amount of time is more important than the number of pumps, at best right around 2hr a day. So, 15min pumps when doing 8x, 20min for 6x. My supply has not dropped from decreasing pumps but increasing pump time.

I'm curious about this! After about 3 mins of pumping, I find that I've gotten all of the milk (3-4oz total) that there is to be had. I've tried waiting for a "second let-down," which I've heard some people talk about, but no luck - just sore nipples. It would be so much better for my work schedule if I could do longer, more productive pumps. If you can find the article, I'd love to read it. I did a quick search, but couldn't find it.

It was Exclusive Pumping, not Kelly mom. There's a lot of good info there, and there's also a link at the bottom of the page called pumping for older children. Reading it was my alleluia moment when I realized I could pump less but still get enough milk. I hope this helps and works for you!

ETA: 3 min is probably way too short of a time to regularly pump and still stimulate enough milk production, that may be why your supply is low. Think about how long your lo takes for a bottle feeding. I got lazy and only pumped until my breasts were empty, and ended up having a big supply decrease.

Http://exclusivepumping.com/dropping-pumps/

VexedMommy · February 2016

natalknitter15 said:

ColoradoHiker said:

Also, I read on Kelly mom (I think) that the total amount of time is more important than the number of pumps, at best right around 2hr a day. So, 15min pumps when doing 8x, 20min for 6x. My supply has not dropped from decreasing pumps but increasing pump time.

I'm curious about this! After about 3 mins of pumping, I find that I've gotten all of the milk (3-4oz total) that there is to be had. I've tried waiting for a "second let-down," which I've heard some people talk about, but no luck - just sore nipples. It would be so much better for my work schedule if I could do longer, more productive pumps. If you can find the article, I'd love to read it. I did a quick search, but couldn't find it.

Have you tried a touch of coconut oil on your nipples before pumping? I found lubing up a little bit before hand kept my nipples from being sore. Also, do you massage your breasts during pumping? That stimulated my breasts to produce milk throughout a 20 - 30 minute pumping session. I had a chronically low supply, but massage got me to between 1 - 2oz per breast instead of the max of 2oz combined I was getting before. After a while you learn where in your breasts the milk ducts are located and can really work those areas the most for best results.

natalknitter15 · February 2016

@ColoradoHiker @VexedMommy Thank you for your suggestions. God, I feel so clueless sometimes about all of this. I'm going to try increasing pump times and massaging during pumps.
I wish that there could be a support system for breastfeeding in the same way that AA and NA operate. I wish that every new breastfeeding mom could be given a "sponsor" who acts as a guide to this new way of life and gives support during those moments when it seems so tempting to say "F' it!"

FilmFreak933 · February 2016

smnewby said:

kmd91 said:

I've been pretty lucky in that I only pump 4 times a day. Each session I generally get about 4 oz from each breast, but lately it's been more like 5 oz each. I get up once in the middle of the night at 3 am to pump.

When you switched from 3hr spacing to 4hr+ spacing did you/anyone notice your total ounces pumped stay the same over time? I would love to space my pumping out more but am worried i will hurt my supply.
Currently I can pump 5-7oz total every 3hrs but overnight/after a solid 5hr strerch of baby sleeping I have been able to pump 5-7oz per side! I would love to just pump every 4-5hrs but am scared to try that regularly for fear of reducing my output.

At about 12 wpp I dropped to 5 pumps and cut out my MOTN pump. I didn't experience any kind of loss of ounces. My first morning pump is just way bigger than it used to be. Now I'm 17 wpp and I pump at 5AM, 10AM, 2PM, 6PM, and 9PM. Everyone responds differently, of course, and def don't try it if it's before 12 wpp. If you do find that you lose a little bit, you could always try power pumping or adding in more foods that encourage milk production to get it back up.

Pontot31 · February 2016

natalknitter15 said:

@ColoradoHiker @VexedMommy Thank you for your suggestions. God, I feel so clueless sometimes about all of this. I'm going to try increasing pump times and massaging during pumps.
I wish that there could be a support system for breastfeeding in the same way that AA and NA operate. I wish that every new breastfeeding mom could be given a "sponsor" who acts as a guide to this new way of life and gives support during those moments when it seems so tempting to say "F' it!"

Join your local Le Leche League. You can call the peer counselors any time for help. And mine has a Facebook page to ask questions.

The Leaky Boob on Facebook is another good place to ask.

VexedMommy · February 2016

Pontot31 said:

natalknitter15 said:

@ColoradoHiker @VexedMommy Thank you for your suggestions. God, I feel so clueless sometimes about all of this. I'm going to try increasing pump times and massaging during pumps.
I wish that there could be a support system for breastfeeding in the same way that AA and NA operate. I wish that every new breastfeeding mom could be given a "sponsor" who acts as a guide to this new way of life and gives support during those moments when it seems so tempting to say "F' it!"

Join your local Le Leche League. You can call the peer counselors any time for help. And mine has a Facebook page to ask questions.

The Leaky Boob on Facebook is another good place to ask.

I was also going to suggest the Le Leche League. Does your pediatrician's office have a lactation consultant? If so, she would be a great resource as well.

ShianeNicole · February 2016

My schedule until last week was pump every 6 hours. 6am, 12 noon, 6pm, and midnight before bed. I usually pump 7 to 9 ounces each time. That was perfect for her 3 ounce bottles. Sometimes I'd even have some to stash in the freezer. I was pumping every 3 hours in the beginning and had 30 freezer bags by 2 weeks. Obviously I didn't need all that so I cut back pumping to every 6 hours. I did not pump at night because I pumped right before bed at midnight and in the morning at 6am before Elliot got up to eat. We have now started half formula half breast milk since she's sleeping longer and I don't want to pump as often.

segorman17 · February 2016

I was trying to pump every 3 hours, so 8 times a day. I would love to still be doing that, but I'm back at work as a night shift RN and I just can't seem to fit that many pumps into a day! Now I'm pumping 6-7 times a day. I get up once during the night, maybe twice if I'm feeling well rested. I usually pump 4-6oz at a time. I have noticed a slight decrease in supply since going back to work, maybe only a couple of ounces less in a day. I am going to start power pumping again to protect my supply.

I saw a few PP's mention sore nipples... This has been a huge issue for me. I constantly have a red, chapped ring around each nipple, (not thrush). I use coconut oil each time I pump and recently started using Pumpin' Pals instead of my regular Medela breast shields and this has helped so much! And as much as I hate the feel of it, a liberal dose of lanolin after pumping helps too.

SoFlaMommie1128 · February 2016

For those exclusively pumping, why did you choose to do so? Just wondering!

ColoradoHiker · February 2016

@segorman17 it sounds like your Medela flange may not be the correct size, you shouldn't have a chapped ring like that. Medela's website has information on sizing, and you can get different sizes online, or some in stores like target and babiesrus.

kmd91 · February 2016

SoFlaMommie1128 said:

For those exclusively pumping, why did you choose to do so? Just wondering!

For me, my son had a lot of trouble latching in the hospital and when I got home he wouldn't latch at all and just cried his little heart out because he was starving and we couldn't get a latch. So I started pumping and it made for a much happier baby and a less stressed momma. Feeding directly from the breast was never important to me, so exclusively pumping was just a logical decision for us. He still gets the benefits of breastmilk, I get the benefit of it being free. We probably could have worked harder to get him on the boob, but after meeting with an LC when he was a few days old and getting her blessing to do what worked for us, I felt content in my decision.

doodleoodle · February 2016

SoFlaMommie1128 said:

For those exclusively pumping, why did you choose to do so? Just wondering!

We were exclusively pumping (sort of.. We had to supplement with formula) due to a nursing strike. It takes so much dedication. It is not for the faint of heart. LO is now mostly formula fed

Lolo427 · February 2016

We had a nursing strike at 2 months when I went back to work.
feeding would end with DD losing her shit and
me crying. Why do that to ourselves? I tried and tried and just threw in the towel. On occasion I'll try to latch her but still no dice.

ColoradoHiker · February 2016

I chose to EP from the start. I had no desire to BF, and knew EPing was better than paying for formula. I was actually planning on FFing, and this was my compromise. Also, I knew I would be a beast if I was the only one able to take care of the baby at night, and it allowed DH and family to help with feedings. EPing has come easy for me, although there are definitely days I want to give it up.

SoFlaMommie1128 · February 2016

Thanks for sharing, ladies! I BF and am going back to work in a few weeks, so I am trying to decide what to do (continue EBF, pumping at work, etc.) and appreciate hearing what other moms are doing.

wimamaof2 · February 2016

SoFlaMommie1128 said:

For those exclusively pumping, why did you choose to do so? Just wondering!

I started exclusively pumping at 6 weeks because DS realized that getting milk from a bottle is much easier than eating directly from the boob. He would lose it after about 5 minutes.
I also pump 2 times a day and get anywhere from 9 to 11 oz per session. We supplement with formula.

ShianeNicole · February 2016

@SoFlaMommie1128 we have EP from the very beginning due to a bad tongue tie aND hard time latching. Still wanted her to have breast milk.

danniellemichelle · February 2016

@smnewby I have been EP'ing for about 16 weeks now. I used to pump every three hours, then went to 6x a day at about 8 weeks in, then 4x a day at 12 weeks in and now I pump 3-4x a day. I personally have not had any decrease in my supply and have still gotten the exact same amount as when I would pump more often with less times. I used to pump 15 min per session now it's now like 30-40 per session because it's so much more milk.

I do not pump in the middle of the night. I usually go about anywhere from 8-10 hours in between my last session and my morning session. I pump 18-20oz in my first morning pump.

danniellemichelle · February 2016

@SoFlaMommie1128 I was given a nipple shield at the hospital the first time I ever even tried to breast feed my daughter. She had jaundice pretty bad and she wasn't having the proper count of diapers for the first few days after she was born. So I had to use a syringe filled with formula place it inside the nipple shield while she was breastfeeding to make sure she was getting enough to eat and get her to latch. That thing would never stay on especially once my milk came in. It was a complete nightmare. EP'ing has personally given us both the best of both worlds. No frustrated feedings for us and she's still getting my milk like I wanted

danniellemichelle · February 2016

I wish there was a board for EP'ing mamas on here. I felt so alone when I first started and even still I don't know anyone personally that is or has ever Exclusively Pumped. There is so much I know now that has made EP'ing much, much easier and would have helped me immensely if I had known when I first started.

SoFlaMommie1128 · February 2016

Wow, I give you so much credit for sticking with it, @danniellemichellexox

danniellemichelle · February 2016

Thank you @SoFlaMommie1128 !

EP'ing is much easier now that we have our flow and our routine- and to me it has been so worth it.

If you do decide to pump at work, you can put your pumping supplies (flanges, connectors valves and membranes) in a ziploc inside a cooler or a fridge really helps.

You can use the same set all day (as long as it's in the fridge or cooler right after you use it) then wash at night. Wish I had known that in the beginning it saves so much time!

Ceridwen77 · February 2016

danniellemichellexox said:

Thank you @SoFlaMommie1128 ! EP'ing is much easier now that we have our flow and our routine- and to me it has been so worth it.

If you do decide to pump at work, you can put your pumping supplies (flanges, connectors valves and membranes) in a ziploc inside a cooler or a fridge really helps.

You can use the same set all day (as long as it's in the fridge or cooler right after you use it) then wash at night. Wish I had known that in the beginning it saves so much time!

I do this with my pump parts at work. It does make life much easier - anything to wash less dishes is great IMO!

rachswi · February 2016

I do it when I pump in the middle of the night too so I can get to bed that much sooner lol

mrsgabus · February 2016

My supply has gone down excessively this week. I've normally be around the 22-27 oz a day mark and now I'm down to 17.

I have a feeling that my first period is on ts way but I'm not sure if that's the cause

VexedMommy · February 2016

mrsgabus said:

My supply has gone down excessively this week. I've normally be around the 22-27 oz a day mark and now I'm down to 17.

I have a feeling that my first period is on ts way but I'm not sure if that's the cause

It could be. Have you taken any cold meds? If so, those tend to have a massive effect on supply as well.

GoogleMD · February 2016

mrsgabus said:

My supply has gone down excessively this week. I've normally be around the 22-27 oz a day mark and now I'm down to 17.

I have a feeling that my first period is on ts way but I'm not sure if that's the cause

Are you more stressed than usual. I was,stressed about some personal issues and it had a huge impact. On one breast I went from pumping 5 or 6oz to 2 oz .
Also push the water and calories, I can definitely tell when my body needs more

If it is your period u don't think you can do much beside wait it

smnewby · February 2016

For your period there is some literature out there that recommends calcium and magnesium during ovulation but I cant recall dosing or any evidence backing up the recommendation.

Stressing over it can compound things. Draw a bath and have some " me time. " If you can.

mrsgabus · February 2016

Period still hasn't shown up and I've been power pumping with no results yet. I've decided not to worry about it . If it doesn't come back up then I'll give her what I can and do FF for the rest

LivHamid · February 2016

cherylrcooper said:

Mom's who are exclusively pumping breast milk. ..how often do you pump and how do you get through longer nighttime stretches as baby begins to sleep longer??

In my situation I wake up on my own now that my son is 17 weeks. My breast get rock hard or Im usuallly soaked

Last night I pumped 17oz in one sitting.

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