EBM - Frequency v's quantity

[SJE]

I am a breast milk pumper for 8 weeks now and am managing to maintain an average of 700mls.
:yelclap:
But Bubs is needing more.:eek:

To make more, should I be aiming to pump and manual express more frequently or should I pump every last drop? IYKWIM

[~Bec~]

Gosh, 700mls! That's excellent. I only managed about 430 at peak. :( My guess is to increase both frequency and quantity if possible but the other bf woman are much more knowledgable about this stuff.

How often do you express now?

[naiwen]

It is better to do it in 5 minute blocks on each side ie 5LB,5RB and continue, this was the milk making hormone is stimulated and peaks 5 mins later IYKWIM. Double pumping is brilliant for boosting supply if you can mannage it. As a general rule it is better to aim for 8+ 20min sessions than 4 40min sessions. 700ml is fab though, well done!

[OJandMe]

I agree with Naiwen.

And also try to pump in the early morning around 1-2am, as milk supply is usually highest then, :thumbsup:

More frequent pumping, with some longer sessions... if you can mimic the baby suckling during a growth spurt.. by pumping for say 10 mins every hour or so...

and then getting some longer sessions in first thing in the morning, after you put bubs down at night, and at about 2am...

that should help boost your supply.

[SJE]

Pumping is usually 4x a day. In the practical sense its managable. Any more than that I wouldnt get a shower or food!

If I do a couple of extra sessions over a couple of days can I revert back to the four with a bigger supply or would have have to keep doing those extras?:confused:

Perhaps I should say its a Total of 700mls per day not per session *embarrassed*

[~Bec~]

Pumping is usually 4x a day. In the practical sense its managable. Any more than that I wouldnt get a shower or food!


You're so lucky! And - I'm so jealous! 4 x pumps and you get that much! Wow! :eek:

[djkinks]

I pumped for 8months for my dd, it got too hard and I had no supply left.
In the first few months I pumped 7 times in a 24 hour period. I would get 1-1.5L in that time. I pumped for 30mins, 15 each side and even squeezed til I had every last drop out. So I guess you can say I did both. When I cut down to 6 pumps I maintained that amount of milk.
I'm currently using what's left in my freezer. Good luck!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[ikis84]

Perhaps try contacting the ABA to get more advice for your specific situation? I really think it is a combination of how frequent and how much you are removing, as the amount of milk removed will tell your breasts how much to make. Swithching frequently and double pumping can help as naiwen suggested. There is always the medication route if you are finding it hard to meet the yeild, or to get back up to that amount.