Sessions
Show your support
Could you use a stimulation mode to try and encourage another letdown? Or pause for 5 and do another 5? So still 15 mins in total but 5 min break in between
Most women get a second letdown but obvs you have to pump for long enough. If you're wanting to increase supply, you'll need to increase the frequency/duration of pumps - ideally both, especially at night. Try to imagine if you were directly breastfeeding, baby wouldn't eat for 5 mins every 3 hours, they'd be on and off eating/suckling all day long - that's what sends the message to your brain to create more milk... more stimulation = more milk 😊
@Francheska I use a spectra so it’s hospital grade electric, 15 minutes is already too long for me with a baby that needs constant entertainment 😩😂 but yeah I literally only get milk for those 5 minutes 🙃
@Rebecca yeah I use that mode sadly doesn’t encourage another one! I will give having a little break in between a go
@Heather I pump 8 times a day every 3 hours if I can 🥲 I’m already so sleep deprived lmao
Just seen that you've got a Spectra, great pump but if you're wanting to pump long term I'd really recommend buying wearable pumps - SO MUCH EASIER 😂 I have the Momcozy S12 Pros and they're great
@Heather I have the Medela freestyle too but wanted a better one to help increase my supply
I always pumped for 30 minutes. I got another let down at like 20 minutes. If pumping with the spectra is hard I would definitely get a hands free pump to use when you need to be with the baby.
@Emily I feel you! I pumped about 10 times a day for at least half hour but got my supply from about 100ml a day to about 900ml a day which was more than enough for little one. It's tough going!
@Emily wall pump doesn't always mean better. The Momcosy wearables empty me really well and I've never had a clogged duct but I did with the Ardo Calypso I had (hospital grade on loan from the Infant Feeding Team). It'd trial and error but maybe use the wearables a couple of times a day in addition to the Spectra you have. Because they're hands free it won't effect your day really, nothing to lose. I tend to put them on just before I change LOs nappy and by the time I've done the nappy and a feed, half hour has flown by 😊
Just worth mentioning at around 12-16 weeks your supply will regulate and then it becomes much harder to increase supply so you are a little against the clock unfortunately. Its a minefield isn't it 😔
@Sarah yeah I have a medela freestyle but still not the easiest as they are always so bulky, or my boobs are just too big 😂
@Heather yeah we’re 14 weeks so 🥲 but I’m doing it all, pumping every 3 hours, I need to do more power pumps for sure, I’m drinking oat milk and have supplements like fenugreek and brewers yeast, hoping it helps, I do think I’ve seen a little increase as I’ve got I think 5 bottles in the fridge atm just it goes quickly 😂
Maybe pump til 20/25 mins on a morning/night one? I have a quick strong let down too. I do 30 in the morning but I don’t pump from 11pm ish until 730/8 so it’s a big one. And then I do 20 mins for most other sessions, maybe 15 if baby is being fussy. I usually find I get a lot straight away, and then more again toward the end like a second wind? The more you pump after you’re empty the more you body thinks “I need to make more” “I need to send out more” even if it’s only an extra couple of minutes. I would try massaging downward from your top milk ducts too while pumping! Are you using a manual or electric? I use the nullie wearable and a tommy tippee manual. I usually wear my wearable for the 15/20 mins and then do a couple mins on the manual to catch a second let down if I have one (I get clogs easily so it helps get them out more than the electric)