Another question about pumping...

[Channelle]

I'm an exclusive pumper with a low supply, and wanted your opinion. In the morning I often wake earlier than everyone else, and the baby usually sleeps another hour or so. After about 10 minutes of pumping, nothing comes out. Is there any advantage to just stay hooked up the pump for that entire hour or so? Like even if their is no milk coming out, could pumping anyway signal my body that it should make more? Or do I only make enough milk to replace what is pumped out? After an hour, I usually make only about 2 oz...

[abigail_b]

I have read (in one of my breastfeeding books, I don't remember which one) that pumping when milk is not coming out is actually not very effective at increasing supply. Even if you have low supply, if you are pumping first thing in the morning for an hour and only getting 2 oz, it seems that maybe the pump is not really working for you. What kind of pump do you have?

[Channelle]

Just bought a Medela PIS last night. So this morning was my first go at it. Before that I was using a crappy single electric. So maybe it will get better. I also bought some blessed thistle and mother's milk tea.

[bubbamummy]

This maybe TMI but I pumped exclusively for a week or so short of a year for DS. In the mornings I could usually get my most ...around 12-16oz on a 'good day'. This was with an Avent Isis-the ONLY pumped that worked for me-believe me, I tried a LOT!! I would stimulate my nipples before I pumped, I mean...like...errmm..pull at them a little, squeeze them just generally mess with them until I felt my let down reflex, then I would quickly get the pump on there so it kept 'coming'

[curiouscanadian]

I can take a bit of time (practice?) to get much when pumping, but you might want to try switching back to the "let down" mode once you're no longer getting any milk. Sometimes I would sit on letdown for another 10min or so, but it would usually eventually trigger another letdown. HTH.

ETA: Also make sure you're using the right size nipple shields (or whatever the "cone" parts are called), as that may make a difference as well. You can check the Medela site for more info.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Channelle

I'm an exclusive pumper with a low supply, and wanted your opinion. In the morning I often wake earlier than everyone else, and the baby usually sleeps another hour or so. After about 10 minutes of pumping, nothing comes out. Is there any advantage to just stay hooked up the pump for that entire hour or so? Like even if their is no milk coming out, could pumping anyway signal my body that it should make more? Or do I only make enough milk to replace what is pumped out? After an hour, I usually make only about 2 oz...

First, 2 ounces is a great amount to get when you are nursing baby as well!

Pumping more will signal your body to make more, but I wouldnt hang out on the pump for an entire hour-- maybe half an hour max. Your nipples will get sore! I would continue to pump in the let down mode (keep pushing the little botton on the PISA).

You may notice that after a certain amount iof time, your milk starts flowing again. This is exactly what would happen with a baby on the breast.

[texmati]

Oh, and great job on pumping for your baby! There is a lot of EP support and threads here and in the 'challenges' section.

[Bokonon]

Have you considered renting a hospital grade pump? That would be your best bet for increasing your supply as an exclusive pumper.

[Channelle]

texmati-she never nurses, just can't get latched. Thanks for the reply! Never thought to just keeping on the let down mode, i will try that!


oh, rented a hospital one for the first month, but just spent all this money on a new PIS, I'll see if it helps first.

thanks everyone!

[MommyMad]

If you have an hour to pump and want to increase your supply, I would do a power pumping session instead. What this is, is actually pumping for 10 minutes, then waiting 10 minutes and then pumping again for another 10 minutes. You would do this on & off pumping for an hour. It should trigger your body to produce more milk. You can do this whenever you feel like you'd like to increase your supply (like 2 - 3x per week). It may take a day or as much as a few days, but your supply should increase.

Best of luck.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Channelle

texmati-she never nurses, just can't get latched. Thanks for the reply! Never thought to just keeping on the let down mode, i will try that!


oh, rented a hospital one for the first month, but just spent all this money on a new PIS, I'll see if it helps first.

thanks everyone!

Channelle, I apologise for that... I just had a brain fart. It's still a very good amount to get.

How old is your baby? Also, do you feel that you are eating enough? I've been trying to diet lately, and have seen my supply cut in half by skipping lunch. Finally, was your supply much better on the hospital pump?

[Channelle]

Originally Posted by MommyMad

If you have an hour to pump and want to increase your supply, I would do a power pumping session instead. What this is, is actually pumping for 10 minutes, then waiting 10 minutes and then pumping again for another 10 minutes. You would do this on & off pumping for an hour. It should trigger your body to produce more milk. You can do this whenever you feel like you'd like to increase your supply (like 2 - 3x per week). It may take a day or as much as a few days, but your supply should increase.

Best of luck.

Oh wow thanks! I can't wait to try that out!

Originally Posted by texmati

Channelle, I apologise for that... I just had a brain fart. It's still a very good amount to get.

How old is your baby? Also, do you feel that you are eating enough? I've been trying to diet lately, and have seen my supply cut in half by skipping lunch. Finally, was your supply much better on the hospital pump?

That's ok! She is three months old today. I feel like I've been eating better lately, I went awhile where I was barely eating, was dealing with depression. But I've had a much better appetite lately! Oh, and yes my supply was great with the hospital pump, at least at first. But that was my first month after birth, so I had an abundance of milk at first, but just lost it all after that.