seaweed eater
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I nursed my little guy for 11 months, until he chose to stop. Since then I've been EPing. In the process of making that transition, I've learned a few things about pumping that I wish I'd known earlier, in the nearly 10 minutes I was pumping part time!
- The best advice I've been given: don't focus on output, timing, or suction; just go by how empty you feel. The goal should be to empty your breasts, not to pump X amount.
- For me that means pumping for more than 20 minutes. I know opinions differ on this one; kellymom says 20 minutes is the max. But a LC told me it was ok to go longer, and it makes a difference to me. I think my flow is fairly slow and I do keep getting letdowns. I pump for about 30 minutes now, give or take depending on when I feel reasonably empty.
- Compressions make a HUGE difference. Before, I was doing them when I remembered, and not really watching -- kind of on autopilot. Now I do them all the time (especially toward the end of a session) and I watch the flow through the flanges to see whether I've hit a good spot. SUCH a difference.
- At the very end of a session, either hand express, if that's comfortable for you, or single pump and use both hands to give lots of compression. And switch back and forth a few times. Just to get those last drops of hindmilk from each side.
Oh, and I learned this one a little while ago but still wish I'd known earlier:
- Don't forget about routine pump maintenance. It can have a real impact on your supply! In particular, replace your membranes frequently, like every month or two.
My supply was starting to dip and I was developing a clogged duct, and now I feel so much better and my supply has come back. In my first session this morning I pumped nearly 10 oz, the most ever in one session for me (I know it's modest compared to some people but I have never had much of an oversupply). I never thought I'd be able to increase my yield at nearly a year postpartum.
Obviously if you are nursing too then that's a little more forgiving, but if you do have concerns about your pumping output, whether you EP or not, hopefully this will help!
- The best advice I've been given: don't focus on output, timing, or suction; just go by how empty you feel. The goal should be to empty your breasts, not to pump X amount.
- For me that means pumping for more than 20 minutes. I know opinions differ on this one; kellymom says 20 minutes is the max. But a LC told me it was ok to go longer, and it makes a difference to me. I think my flow is fairly slow and I do keep getting letdowns. I pump for about 30 minutes now, give or take depending on when I feel reasonably empty.
- Compressions make a HUGE difference. Before, I was doing them when I remembered, and not really watching -- kind of on autopilot. Now I do them all the time (especially toward the end of a session) and I watch the flow through the flanges to see whether I've hit a good spot. SUCH a difference.
- At the very end of a session, either hand express, if that's comfortable for you, or single pump and use both hands to give lots of compression. And switch back and forth a few times. Just to get those last drops of hindmilk from each side.
Oh, and I learned this one a little while ago but still wish I'd known earlier:
- Don't forget about routine pump maintenance. It can have a real impact on your supply! In particular, replace your membranes frequently, like every month or two.
My supply was starting to dip and I was developing a clogged duct, and now I feel so much better and my supply has come back. In my first session this morning I pumped nearly 10 oz, the most ever in one session for me (I know it's modest compared to some people but I have never had much of an oversupply). I never thought I'd be able to increase my yield at nearly a year postpartum.
Obviously if you are nursing too then that's a little more forgiving, but if you do have concerns about your pumping output, whether you EP or not, hopefully this will help!
