Hi,
I am working on building up my freezer stash as I will be switching roles with DH next month and he will stay home with DD so he can go to school.
My question is how do you decide when you are done with a pumping session? Is it based on time? or OZ collected? or....???
Thanks.
mmeneely
01-31-2010, 10:39 PM
I always followed my LLL lady and stopped after 20min. My the time I reached 20min, there was barely even a drop left so I was done.
sandy_dandy
01-31-2010, 10:44 PM
You should pump for 2 min after the milk stops
flowing. 20 minutes is plenty for most people.
liamsmom15
02-01-2010, 11:32 AM
Has anybody else (especially EPers) noticed that they need longer and longer sessions to fully empty? I don't think I'm getting significantly more total in the day, but I need to pump longer to get the same amount. I used to be empty after 17 minutes but now I'm sometimes still getting milk after 27 or more minutes. I'm annoyed because I spend enough time pumping as it is and I wish I could go back to the good old days of 20 minute sessions!
ks_girl
02-01-2010, 11:42 AM
I pump til theres no more milk comin out. And that usually takes me 40mins .... I wish my pumping sessions were only 20. Id get so much more stuff done!
Ready2Bmommy
02-01-2010, 01:16 PM
Has anybody else (especially EPers) noticed that they need longer and longer sessions to fully empty? I don't think I'm getting significantly more total in the day, but I need to pump longer to get the same amount. I used to be empty after 17 minutes but now I'm sometimes still getting milk after 27 or more minutes. I'm annoyed because I spend enough time pumping as it is and I wish I could go back to the good old days of 20 minute sessions!
Me too! I used to be done at 20 min with nothing else coming out. Now I'm still getting letdowns at 20 min.
I would recommend pumping for 20-30 min, but probably 20 would be fine if you're just starting.
MommyLyssa
02-01-2010, 05:44 PM
I have been exclusively pumping for 7 months so far, and I have never pumped more than 15 minutes a day. I have always gone based on when the milk stops a comin' :D. I normally get around 60-70oz a day.
Who knows, maybe I could get more if I stayed on longer, but I just can't bear the thought of sitting on there longer (after 10 minutes my nipples feel weird), and I *am* getting enough milk...
sandy_dandy
02-01-2010, 06:47 PM
I have been exclusively pumping for 7 months so far, and I have never pumped more than 15 minutes a day. I have always gone based on when the milk stops a comin' :D. I normally get around 60-70oz a day.
Who knows, maybe I could get more if I stayed on longer, but I just can't bear the thought of sitting on there longer (after 10 minutes my nipples feel weird), and I *am* getting enough milk...
60-70 oz per DAY? You are so fortunate!
annieinballard
02-01-2010, 06:57 PM
I've pumped after the milk stopped flowing before and it usually creates one extra let down. But if you have enough milk - I wouldn't pump longer. Your body will think your baby needs more milk and if you don't express that amount all the time - it might create problems like extra leaking, plugged ducts etc....
One thing I did when I had extra milk was to freeze it in case of emergencies -
By the way - new favorite thing in the world - simple wishes bra. It's like the easy expressions bra, but way more comfortable!
MommyLyssa
02-01-2010, 07:16 PM
60-70 oz per DAY? You are so fortunate!
I know. I am so incredibly blessed when it comes to milk. I have been able to donate around 3k oz (so far! Have another Mama coming to pick some up this week), and store some away for my baby boy as well. My nickname is the DQ (Dairy Queen):giggle2::roflmbo:
I do have to say it makes EPing easier. Not in the sense of actually making the act easier- but it is nice to know that I am making enough and not have to stress. I have never nursed him a day of his life (I did my others though), and I am still able to make above and beyond his needs.
I give props to the mamas who stick with it even when they don't make much/enough....I don't know if I would have continued I like to think I would have, but I just have no idea.
learning2Bmama
02-03-2010, 11:48 PM
Thank you for the feedback! I never know if I'm doing it right. Sometimes I get 8 oz in 15 min, and sometimes it takes 20 min to get 6. I thought I was missing something.
liamsmom15
02-04-2010, 11:28 AM
That sounds like you're doing it right. I sometimes need 25+ minutes to get 6 ounces.
mrosehughes
02-05-2010, 08:37 PM
Hijacking the thread... Since it was mentioned that you should pump until your milk stops flowing, I never know what to do (I only pump while at work, which is only 1 time a day at this point, but will be more soon)... It seems like even after 25 or 30 minutes I still have milk coming, and before that I'm getting 5-7 oz total (which is enough for DS at this point). Anyone have any tips for getting the milk out faster?
JMac
02-09-2010, 07:45 AM
Man I could never pump for as long as some of you! I usually pump for 10-15 minutes. I do not completely empty every time, but I do not worry about that too much. I pump about 50 oz a day, and I hardly have any room left to freeze any more (I have over 1250 oz frozen).
But to answer your question, if you are trying to build supply, pump until you are dry then add 2 minutes.
lovebabybela
02-09-2010, 04:15 PM
OMG i have never heard of such a thing as pumping 60 oz a day! That is insane and an amazing blessing!!! I'm so jealous!!
girlgancer
02-10-2010, 10:05 PM
I normally get around 60-70oz a day.
Wow. I'm currently getting 30-32oz a day, which is sufficient for my little guy. But I'd love to produce more. How many times do you pump a day?
JMac
02-11-2010, 02:40 PM
Wow. I'm currently getting 30-32oz a day, which is sufficient for my little guy. But I'd love to produce more. How many times do you pump a day?
For the approx 50-60 oz I get, I pump 5 times a day. If I pump long enough before getting impatient, I can pump the two medela bottles full to the top (should be about 6 oz each). If I try pumping more than every 4-5 hrs I can't get the bottles full so I just do it every 4-5. I've been getting lazy lately and only pump 10-15 min so I'm not getting as much, but I'm okay with that, I'm out of freezer space.
Weezy6703
02-11-2010, 02:49 PM
i just want to cry seeing that. The last few times i've pumped the darn thing just stops spitting out milk after about 6 minutes. at 10 minutes nothing at 15 minutes nothing. after compressions and massage!!
