How many times a day should I be pumping?

[Neecee]

I know some people pump every couple of hours, but due to the state my nipples are in (always cracked and bleeding) I can only seem to manage 2 or 3 times a day. I manage to get 4-6oz from each breast at a time, but should I be making an effort to pump more? I don't want my supply to dry up.

 

[pennysbored]

You should pump as often as you would feed. But if you knock one or two off there, you should be okay.
You using Lanolin for those nipples?

 

[tinytoes]

When I was pumping all my milk, I was advised to pump at least 5 times a day. More if I could. I seemed to spend all my day attached to the machine, like a fine Jersey cow!

 

[bex]

I exclusivley expressed for 4 weeks and i was told to express 8 times in 24 hours.

 

[Michy]

On good days I express 8-12 times, on bad days I express 5-6 times.

I think you can express less as long as you don't leave it more than 5-6 hrs between sessions as after this time your body will think you don't need so much milk and will lower production.

I try to do it in stages, for a couple of days I will express 12 times a day to up production and then for a couple of days I will express only 6 times a day to give myself a bit of a break.

 

[Neecee]

I can't even manage 5 times a day, let alone 12! There's just not enough rest time in between pumps to allow my nipples to heal even a tiny bit.

 

[Michy]

I feel for you hun, i've had many problems along the way but I have to say that my nipples are not cracked or sore at all.

If I were you then at them moment I would aim to express every 6 hours, so that is 4 times a day, then hopefully you will not become engored and your production will continue.

How do you find hand expressing? Have to say I can't do it at all, but I just thought if you could do 10 mins hand expressing half way between expressing with your pump then your boobs would still get stimulated but your nipples wouldn't be touching anything. Just an idea

 

[Neecee]

I feel for you hun, i've had many problems along the way but I have to say that my nipples are not cracked or sore at all.

If I were you then at them moment I would aim to express every 6 hours, so that is 4 times a day, then hopefully you will not become engored and your production will continue.

How do you find hand expressing? Have to say I can't do it at all, but I just thought if you could do 10 mins hand expressing half way between expressing with your pump then your boobs would still get stimulated but your nipples wouldn't be touching anything. Just an idea

I am trying to make his first feed and his last feed from the breast, that way he won't be chewing off my nipples all day. I've managed to get him on the breast today which I feel has been a HUGE achievement as he's still latching on and suckling well. I've managed to express quite a bit today as well. I've tried hand expressing but can't quite get it right, at least with the pump I have some control over the suction.

Thanks very much for your advice, it's something that's been worrying me.