How long do you pump for?

[EmilyG]

For those moms that pump, how long and how often is each session? i only work 2 days a week, and on those days I pump, about every 3 hours, (3 times in a 12-hour shift) for about 15 minutes each time. I don't really have time to sit there longer, but don't think I'd get much more if I did, most of the milk I get is in the first 6-7 minutes.
I'm worried though because I don't seem to get enough for dd while I'm at work for her to have the next time I work, I'm always short about 3-4 ounces. When I'm home and breastfeeding her, she seems satisfied after nursing, and I don't have to supplement, so I don't know why I can't seem to pump enough.

[Dmitrizmom]

Honestly, I'd add a pumping session before you go to work or right after you get off work. Or consider pumping once per day on the days you don't work. How old is your baby and how much are you putting in each bottle/bag? Is it possible that some milk is going to waste when she doesn't finish a bottle? Or that she's being encouraged to finish a bottle when she isn't hungry any more?

With dd1, I pumped until she was a year old. I would pump every 2-3 hours for 10-15 minutes. The last 4 months that I pumped, I was commuting about 75 minutes each way, so I would pump in the car during the commute. I tried to keep the volume in each bag to 4 oz or less, and I would make some "snack" sized bags with about 1 oz for her provider to use if the 4 oz bag didn't seem to fill her up.

[bajamergrrl]

I agree with adding another pumping session. I had to add one in the morning before work and one in the evenings after work since I was only getting to pump twice at work. I usually pump for bout 20-25 mins with my double electric pump but only about 10-15 mins with my manual. My body prefers the manual pump.

[EmilyG]

She's 4.5 months old. I get 3 to 4 ounces each time I pump, and I think she takes about 3.5 ounces in each bottle. Dh might be trying to get her to take more than she wants, but i think if she doesn't finish a bottle, he just saves it for her to snack on later. She only nurses on one side at a time when i'm home with her, but 3-4 ounces is both sides combined, so I don't know if I'm not getting as much out with the pump as she does, or if she's eating more with the bottles. I do have a manual pump, but have never taken out of the box because I thought the electric would be better, I might have to try that.
I do pump right before i leave the house in the morning, but am hesitant to pump after work because I want to have plenty of milk when she nurses when I first get home. Maybe I should just try pumpin gone side and save the other for her?

[Dmitrizmom]

or you could pump on the side she's not nursing on. Just remember that your breast is never truly empty and a baby is far more efficient at getting the milk out than any pump.

another thing to think about is your hydration levels - make sure you are getting plenty to drink while you are at work.