Pumping questions

[melon]

This is my 2nd time around. I will have to eventually go back to work, and i feel like I was less than successful at pumping last time. I want to make sure that we are not constantly on the verge of running out of milk this time.

So....I have a Medela Pump In Style and some questions:

1. How often should those white membranes be replaced?

2. Is it more productive to do both sides at the same time, or one at a time?

3. How do i know how high to turn it?

4. Any random advice to maximize my output?

Thanks!!

[Viola]

I don't know how often those membranes should be replaced, honestly.  Maybe get an extra pair and change them out if you notice a decrease.  If it doesn't help, then change them back?  I never replaced mine, but I never pumped that much.

I would say it is more productive to pump both sides at the same time if you can manage it, and it isn't causing you more stress.

As far as how high to turn it, my understand is as low as it takes to maintain a steady output.  I usually just put mine on high and dialed it down if I felt like I didn't need it that high.  But even high didn't feel that high to me.

Random advice: pump for at least 10 minutes, regardless of whether you get anything.  Pump for 1-2 minutes after you get your last drop.  Do some breast massage and pump again.  Hands on pumping, where you do some manual expression or massage along with pumping can be much more effective in getting milk out.  Remember that effective milk removal in the first place is the key to better production.