Pumping Questions

CPR79 · September 2017

I figured since most of us that are going back to work are probably doing it soon, we might need a place to ask questions about pumping.

I'll start -

How does it work defrosting frozen milk to take to day care? Do you frost it the night before and then put it in bottles in the morning? Does it stay good that long? I'm totally clueless.

Also - pumping in general - I've been trying to pump once a day just to get some milk in the freezer. I haven't been very consistent but I have about 20 oz in the freezer. I never get more than an ounce or so at a time though, including both breasts. This morning I didn't even get half an ounce. I've been pumping after the first feed in the morning b/c google says that's when the supply is highest. I had a friend told me that her LO only feeds on one side at night so she pumps the other one, but my little guy always eats on both sides. Any suggestions?

jkbrownstein · September 2017

Maybe warm compresses before you pump and massage during to help your milk flow. Are you sure you're using the correct size flange?

I've also been using the Haaka to help boost my supply, it gets me at least an extra 2oz during feeds.

optbaby2017 · September 2017

Re defrosting, I followed this guide for times (https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/). We have done both defrosting in the fridge overnight and setting the bag in warm water to use right away. It may also depend on your daycare. Mine will let me send frozen milk and they will transfer to empty bottles. My friend has to have everything already set in bottles ready to go. That said, my plan is to send the milk I pumped the day before, already portioned out. Since I pump straight into the bottles, this will save a smidge of dishwashing. Also, I figure that the milk will be most up to date with the antibodies she needs right then. I will probably freeze some of Friday's milk and send some older frozen on Mondays, just to rotate the stash.

Do you have access to a lactation counselor? I took my pump to one of the free "baby cafe" things at my hospital and they helped me to problem solve to pump more. Turns out one of my nipples is 1mm bigger than the other, and using a different size flange upped my output by about half an ounce on that side. We also played with the suction strength.

WeddingNotes13 · September 2017

If you plan to pump while she is gone each day, your current stash shoukd be plenty. @optbaby2017 brought up good to make sure that you are maximizing what you can pump.

SaphireSweetie88 · October 2017

CPR79 said:

I figured since most of us that are going back to work are probably doing it soon, we might need a place to ask questions about pumping.

I'll start -

How does it work defrosting frozen milk to take to day care? Do you frost it the night before and then put it in bottles in the morning? Does it stay good that long? I'm totally clueless.

Also - pumping in general - I've been trying to pump once a day just to get some milk in the freezer. I haven't been very consistent but I have about 20 oz in the freezer. I never get more than an ounce or so at a time though, including both breasts. This morning I didn't even get half an ounce. I've been pumping after the first feed in the morning b/c google says that's when the supply is highest. I had a friend told me that her LO only feeds on one side at night so she pumps the other one, but my little guy always eats on both sides. Any suggestions?

@CPR79

I exclusively pump and I had issues with my supply at first. I tried power pumping and that helped a little but what really seemed to help was sitting on the couch and pumping 1 side during an episode of a favorite TV show (aprox 30 - 40 minutes). I did that and got a decent amount. The next time I pumped, I did my normal pumping time and I still got quite a bit

CPR79 · October 2017

Maybe stupid question -

When you pump, do you get multiple let downs or should I just stop after the milk stops flowing the first time? I usually never get more than I do right at first. Which is still not very much, ugh. I might have to try pumping after a night time feeding when it's been 4-5 hours and maybe there's still more left in my breasts.

Cynth0104 · October 2017

@CPR79 I usually stop after the milk stops flowing. I don’t think I’ve ever had more than 1 letdown

yellow1daisy · October 2017

I get multiple letdowns. Most of the milk is from from the beginning/ first letdown. But then I have 2-3 smaller letdowns that give me maybe another ounce or so all together. This is in a 25-30 minute pumping session.

lanie1000 · October 2017

Yep. I'm the same as @yellow1daisy. I get about 3 let downs per 20-25 min session. It takes me about 30-45 seconds after the milk stops for the next let down to begin. For some reason, I usually get the most milk from the 1st let down with my left breast but the 2nd let down with my right breast. I stick it out for the 3rd let down mostly because I prefer feeling completely empty.

Cynth0104 · October 2017

Not a question, but didn’t know where else to put this. I am currently at work, pumping, in a bathroom. Because there is no where else. Anyone else see an issue with this??

I am a consultant and go to different facilities every day. Last week I had no issues in the buildings I was in. Had office space I could use. Today though...I am sitting on a toilet

jkbrownstein · October 2017

@Cynth0104 Look up the laws where you live. In NY, you have to be provided a place to pump during work that's not a bathroom or toilet stall.

Maybe call ahead to the facility to see if they can find a place for you before you go?

WeddingNotes13 · October 2017

@Cynth0104 that is awful! I get it though.
I used to have a job where I spent my week in different facilities and homes. Idk what I woukd have done. There is no way each of those places could have provided space for me.

optbaby2017 · October 2017

@Cynth0104 That sucks. As others have said, I believe it is law that they have to give you a non-bathroom space. That said, I work out of two locations for work. The primary one, I have my own office and can just close the door. In the other, I have to use a spare classroom when no classes are scheduled, and just post a note on the door for people not to enter. I've found it easier to just go sit in my car (though I may feel differently once winter hits).

Cynth0104 · October 2017

Has anybody used the Freemie pump? I am going to be traveling for work in a few weeks and was thinking that may be easier to travel with and pump while in the airport, etc. Pros/cons anybody?

optbaby2017 · October 2017

@Cynth0104 I haven't used it, but looked at it. They are not small and you still need to hook up to your pump. I decided that it would be a little more discreet than a hands-free bra, but not by much. Plus, a lot of the reviews said that it didn't work well with large boobs (I'm currently a 36H) and gives less suction and overall didn't get as much out as the standard flanges (and I need high suction, and want to get max output each time, so that I have to pump less often). Overall, it wasn't what I needed, but seemed to work for some people...

Cynth0104 · October 2017

I am traveling next week for work. I am planning on bringing my breast pump, but one of the days I am going to be at Universal Studios. Don’t really want to take my big pump around the park with me. Thoughts on a fairly easy (and not so expensive) portable pump? Freemie doesn’t work with the type of pump I have, so that’s out.

optbaby2017 · November 2017

Hand pump? I have a friend who swears by it, thinks its more comfortable and that she gets out more. I don't have the patience and endurance to use one regularly like she does. But if you're talking one day (and presumably 8ish hours = 2-3 sessions) it might not be that bad. And if your supply is doing well and you're not prone to clogged ducts you can probably survive a day of just pumping to comfort. She likes either the Avent or Medela ones, depending on what type of bottles you use.

CPR79 · November 2017

I have a friend who swears by her hand pump as well, says she gets better output. I also do not have that patience, although I have used it at night to take the edge of when waking up engorged when LO started sleeping longer. I have the Medela. Sometimes it's nice to not have the loud pumping sound or hook yourself up to all the tubes!

Cynth0104 · November 2017

Thanks! I think I am going to get the Medela hand pump. At least to have another option while traveling!

BusyZee · December 2017

Medela manual pump is great when your out, you can get a bunch of milk in a very short of time. I got the willow pump and it's excellent, it pumps very efficiently and quickly and no loud noise either!

cielaw89 · December 2017

I absolutely love my Medela Harmony hand pump. It’s nice to have when I’m out and about. I sometimes get more milk from hand pumping than using my PISA. Definitely worth the buy.

bostonlady-2 · December 2017

Hi all, I’ve been back at work for 2 months and my pumping situation is getting dire. My sons daycare has (in my opinion) been over feeding him from day 1. They started giving him 20 ounces over a 7 hour period, and we’ve worked to him now getting 16 ounces over 7 hours (which in my opinion is still too much, but that’s another issue...).

In the beginning, I could get about 3 oz total with each pump session (20 minutes), pumping 3x a day at work and making up the extra in the morning and evenings. However, I quickly wasn’t able to keep up and had to go into the freezer storage. My pumping output continues to dwindle, such that I’m not only getting 2 ounces each pump and I’m almost out of freezer supply. When I’m with him, he’s content after feeding and feeding the same frequency as daycare.

I’ve tried several different flange sizes, different pumps (we have a medella symphony at work and spectra at home), drinking lots of water, oatmeal for breakfast everyday, and fenugeek.

Any other things to try? I truly think this a pumping problem not a supply issue, as he seems to be very content, I just can’t seem to get the milk out!

cielaw89 · December 2017

@bostonlady-2 are you using a hands free pumping bra? I noticed when I was pumping at work while wearing the pumping bra that I was slowly dwindling in the amount I would get. I tried pumping without the pumping bra for a few days and I noticed I was able to get more milk out quicker. That tells me I have a fitting problem with my bra.

I use the Medela PISA and have the Medela Easy Expressions pumping bra. Now I don’t use the pumping bra very often. I just wear nursing tanks or the sleeping bras and am able to place my flanges so they stay put, but I sometimes do need to reposition every once in a while in order to get all the milk out.

jkbrownstein · December 2017

It seems as everyone thinks the solution to everything is more food! Apply heat to your breast beforehand and massage during. Also try looking at pictures of your LO or hold something that smells like him.

CPR79 · December 2017

@bostonlady-2 have you tried power pumping for a few days? when i first went back to work i thought my supply was really low so i did that for a few days (i never did the full hour (20 on, 10 off, 10 on, 10 off, 10 on) but did half an hour (20 on, 10 off, 10 on) twice a day. it wasn't hugely noticeable but i think it did help

oh yeah and massaging during definitely makes a huge difference! also, how long are you pumping for? i went from 4 15 min sessions to 3 20 min sessions and got more.

WeddingNotes13 · December 2017

For me (this time around), pumping a little longer an made a big difference. Last time 15 min was all that I needed. This time, I am just getting better production at 15. 25-39 min is where I do better now. Any chance you could try pumping longer even 1-2x to see is it makes a difference?

That is the only other thing that I can think of. You have already tried several good things and gotten other good suggestion s.

optbaby2017 · December 2017

16oz in how many feedings? A 4oz bottle every 3hrs would be average.

I have found that I have to pump 4x, and every ~2-1/2hrs, to get the 3 bottles we need. If I space it further then my supply dips. Luckily I have a private office, so I can close the door and keep working while I pump. Some days I have to pump during my commute or after LO is in bed to make it work.

Lots of water and making sure I eat enough is important, too. And I eat oatmeal with flaxseed and brewers yeast most mornings, which is supposed to help.

In some women, fenugreek actually hurts supply, so you might try taking a break from that to see if it helps. I read somewhere to try moringa instead, but I have not tried it, personally.

Also, an IBCLC (lactation specialist) can help with pumping advice, too. Or a La Leche League mtg if there is one in your area. They can help check flange size and give advice about suction/speed settings.

bostonlady-2 · December 2017

Thanks all for the advice. I power pumped for a few days and got about a half an ounce more for the next few days, and then it went back down again. I do massage and look at photos, but I’ll try warm compressses. I pump for about 20 minutes, but can try longer sessions too.

The daycare would like to feed him 5 ounces every 2 hours, I only allow 4 ounces every 2 hours, but I think he only needs 4 ounces every 3 hours. They insist he’s “starving” but when I stay and watch, he’s happy and playing. I drop him off late and pick him up early and work at night to make up for the time missed at work because I can’t pump enough. They overfeed to help him take naps I think. I’m thinking about switching daycares if I can’t solve this which is sad as I think they take good care of him otherwise.

The location consultant through my pediatrician had little to add. I’m going to a local LaLeche league meeting this week, so I’ll let you know if I learn any good additional tips.

Thanks all!

WeddingNotes13 · December 2017

I agree that they are likely overfeeding. Glad you found some local resources too!

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