Pumping schedule

[Anonymous]

To anyone that is breastfeeding and pumping, can you share your pumping schedule? Most of the sample schedules I found online are for exclusive pumping moms and the others seemed like far too many pumping sessions.

I am just getting back to work this week and am trying to get the hang of it again. I hated pumping with my first and struggled to produce enough to get by day to day (5-6 pumping sessions a day).

Right now, I am coming up about 2-3 ounces short - trying to figure out if I should try to do longer sessions during the day, use the Spectra letdown settings more effectively or add in another session. My supply tanks in the evening so not sure if its even worth the effort to add it in the evening.

Here is what my pumping/feeding day looks like right now:
3AM - breastfeed
7:30 AM - breastfeed on one side, Hakaa collection on the other (2oz)
10:00 AM - pump at work - 25 mins (8oz)
1:30 PM - pump at work - 20 mins (4oz)
3:30 PM - Pump at work - 15-20 mins (2oz)
5:30 PM - breastfeed
7:00 PM - breastfeed

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To anyone that is breastfeeding and pumping, can you share your pumping schedule? Most of the sample schedules I found online are for exclusive pumping moms and the others seemed like far too many pumping sessions.

I am just getting back to work this week and am trying to get the hang of it again. I hated pumping with my first and struggled to produce enough to get by day to day (5-6 pumping sessions a day).

Right now, I am coming up about 2-3 ounces short - trying to figure out if I should try to do longer sessions during the day, use the Spectra letdown settings more effectively or add in another session. My supply tanks in the evening so not sure if its even worth the effort to add it in the evening.

Here is what my pumping/feeding day looks like right now:
3AM - breastfeed
7:30 AM - breastfeed on one side, Hakaa collection on the other (2oz)
10:00 AM - pump at work - 25 mins (8oz)
1:30 PM - pump at work - 20 mins (4oz)
3:30 PM - Pump at work - 15-20 mins (2oz)
5:30 PM - breastfeed
7:00 PM - breastfeed

Thank you!

how many weeks PP are you?

[Anonymous]

OP here - baby is 15 weeks old.

[Anonymous]

Your caregiver is two OZ short? Most babies drink 1-1.5 oz an hour. So if you are not feeding 7:30-5:30 you need 10-15 oz and you're producing 16. That should be enough. A working mom should pump 3 times over 9 hours away. With me working from home, I'm pumping twice and feeding the baby directly once.

The only thing I would suggest doing different is switching sides at 7:30. If you feed for 10 minutes, do 5 on each side. If you're still 2 oz short then drink a ton of water, do a TON of breast massage (I basically squeeze it out like an orange the entire pump session) and check your flange size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - baby is 15 weeks old.

I don't understand how 16 oz isn't enough for 10 hours away....

[Anonymous]

I'd also suggest that if you're pumping at 3:30 for 25 minutes and only get 2oz, try moving that pumping session to 4 or 4:30 (if your commute allows) or pump when you get home and then breastfeed. Idea is that you will likely have more milk if you wait between pumping sessions. FWIW, eventually I had to supplement when I returned to work. It happens to the best of us and there is no reason to feel bad about using formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd also suggest that if you're pumping at 3:30 for 25 minutes and only get 2oz, try moving that pumping session to 4 or 4:30 (if your commute allows) or pump when you get home and then breastfeed. Idea is that you will likely have more milk if you wait between pumping sessions. FWIW, eventually I had to supplement when I returned to work. It happens to the best of us and there is no reason to feel bad about using formula.

Good point. If OP really wants to do 3 sessions, then I'd move the 10:30 one up closer to 9ish and move the 1:30 one up too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - baby is 15 weeks old.

I don't understand how 16 oz isn't enough for 10 hours away....

My baby needed 20 oz for a shorter period of time. Don't pay attention to the oz per hour guidelines. They are typically BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your caregiver is two OZ short? Most babies drink 1-1.5 oz an hour. So if you are not feeding 7:30-5:30 you need 10-15 oz and you're producing 16. That should be enough. A working mom should pump 3 times over 9 hours away. With me working from home, I'm pumping twice and feeding the baby directly once.

The only thing I would suggest doing different is switching sides at 7:30. If you feed for 10 minutes, do 5 on each side. If you're still 2 oz short then drink a ton of water, do a TON of breast massage (I basically squeeze it out like an orange the entire pump session) and check your flange size.

False. This is baby-starving, lactivist BS. I think the original advice was intended for short periods away from the mother. To advise it for a full day of daycare is unbelievably irresponsible. This type of nonsense is why I hate breastfeeding advocates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To anyone that is breastfeeding and pumping, can you share your pumping schedule? Most of the sample schedules I found online are for exclusive pumping moms and the others seemed like far too many pumping sessions.

I am just getting back to work this week and am trying to get the hang of it again. I hated pumping with my first and struggled to produce enough to get by day to day (5-6 pumping sessions a day).

Right now, I am coming up about 2-3 ounces short - trying to figure out if I should try to do longer sessions during the day, use the Spectra letdown settings more effectively or add in another session. My supply tanks in the evening so not sure if its even worth the effort to add it in the evening.

Here is what my pumping/feeding day looks like right now:
3AM - breastfeed
7:30 AM - breastfeed on one side, Hakaa collection on the other (2oz)
10:00 AM - pump at work - 25 mins (8oz)
1:30 PM - pump at work - 20 mins (4oz)
3:30 PM - Pump at work - 15-20 mins (2oz)
5:30 PM - breastfeed
7:00 PM - breastfeed

Thank you!

OP, I pumped at work from 5 months to 12 months and started supplementing with formula around 6-7 months because the only way I could pump enough milk was to wake up in the middle of the night to pump. Looking back, I can't believe I thought that was a good idea. It was horrible for my mental health (thus why I started supplementing). And just FYI, when we started supplementing, I regretted not doing so sooner as the older the baby is the harder it is for them to get used to formula.

I also pumped three times a day at first. In terms of your schedule, you could maybe move your first and second pumping sessions earlier so there is more than two hours gap between the 2nd and the 3rd pumping sessions. I'd also say make sure to massage your breasts while pumping. It's hard to get the hang of with the flanges and pumping bra on but it makes a big difference. And do play with the settings on the Spectra. You never know. That being said your output is better than mine ever was - I would be thrilled with 16 oz. And, pumping three times a day is rough! If it's exhausting you and you are open to supplementing with formula, drop to two sessions. I know that made a big difference for my sanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To anyone that is breastfeeding and pumping, can you share your pumping schedule? Most of the sample schedules I found online are for exclusive pumping moms and the others seemed like far too many pumping sessions.

I am just getting back to work this week and am trying to get the hang of it again. I hated pumping with my first and struggled to produce enough to get by day to day (5-6 pumping sessions a day).

Right now, I am coming up about 2-3 ounces short - trying to figure out if I should try to do longer sessions during the day, use the Spectra letdown settings more effectively or add in another session. My supply tanks in the evening so not sure if its even worth the effort to add it in the evening.

Here is what my pumping/feeding day looks like right now:
3AM - breastfeed
7:30 AM - breastfeed on one side, Hakaa collection on the other (2oz)
10:00 AM - pump at work - 25 mins (8oz)
1:30 PM - pump at work - 20 mins (4oz)
3:30 PM - Pump at work - 15-20 mins (2oz)
5:30 PM - breastfeed
7:00 PM - breastfeed

Thank you!

OP, I pumped at work from 5 months to 12 months and started supplementing with formula around 6-7 months because the only way I could pump enough milk was to wake up in the middle of the night to pump. Looking back, I can't believe I thought that was a good idea. It was horrible for my mental health (thus why I started supplementing). And just FYI, when we started supplementing, I regretted not doing so sooner as the older the baby is the harder it is for them to get used to formula.

I also pumped three times a day at first. In terms of your schedule, you could maybe move your first and second pumping sessions earlier so there is more than two hours gap between the 2nd and the 3rd pumping sessions. I'd also say make sure to massage your breasts while pumping. It's hard to get the hang of with the flanges and pumping bra on but it makes a big difference. And do play with the settings on the Spectra. You never know. That being said your output is better than mine ever was - I would be thrilled with 16 oz. And, pumping three times a day is rough! If it's exhausting you and you are open to supplementing with formula, drop to two sessions. I know that made a big difference for my sanity.

Oh and yes I pumped for 30 minutes per session and did typically get one last letdown in those last several minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your caregiver is two OZ short? Most babies drink 1-1.5 oz an hour. So if you are not feeding 7:30-5:30 you need 10-15 oz and you're producing 16. That should be enough. A working mom should pump 3 times over 9 hours away. With me working from home, I'm pumping twice and feeding the baby directly once.

The only thing I would suggest doing different is switching sides at 7:30. If you feed for 10 minutes, do 5 on each side. If you're still 2 oz short then drink a ton of water, do a TON of breast massage (I basically squeeze it out like an orange the entire pump session) and check your flange size.

False. This is baby-starving, lactivist BS. I think the original advice was intended for short periods away from the mother. To advise it for a full day of daycare is unbelievably irresponsible. This type of nonsense is why I hate breastfeeding advocates.

lolol do you even have kids? give me a source that says 1-1.5 of oz during the daytime is "starvation". MOST babies at 4-5 months drink 25-30 oz a day.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your caregiver is two OZ short? Most babies drink 1-1.5 oz an hour. So if you are not feeding 7:30-5:30 you need 10-15 oz and you're producing 16. That should be enough. A working mom should pump 3 times over 9 hours away. With me working from home, I'm pumping twice and feeding the baby directly once.

The only thing I would suggest doing different is switching sides at 7:30. If you feed for 10 minutes, do 5 on each side. If you're still 2 oz short then drink a ton of water, do a TON of breast massage (I basically squeeze it out like an orange the entire pump session) and check your flange size.

False. This is baby-starving, lactivist BS. I think the original advice was intended for short periods away from the mother. To advise it for a full day of daycare is unbelievably irresponsible. This type of nonsense is why I hate breastfeeding advocates.

lolol do you even have kids? give me a source that says 1-1.5 of oz during the daytime is "starvation". MOST babies at 4-5 months drink 25-30 oz a day.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

But they want it when they want it, not necessarily spaced the way Kellymom says they should want it.

OP: adding in some formula will help.

[Anonymous]

This is just anecdotal information. I think you may need one more pumping session very soon after your 7:30 a.m. nursing. Generally, I needed to pump 1.5 times for every time my baby (both of them) needed to drink a bottle. (My understanding is that babies are much more efficient at nursing than pumps are at pumping, so you're not going to get as much milk from the breast when pumping as you'd need for one bottle feeding.) I was able to keep up by adding one pumping session soon after the morning nursing. It's very hard to find time for, but morning is when you have the most milk. You've probably already thought of this, but just to make sure you have enough production, you may want to keep your calories up and stress down to the extent that you can!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your caregiver is two OZ short? Most babies drink 1-1.5 oz an hour. So if you are not feeding 7:30-5:30 you need 10-15 oz and you're producing 16. That should be enough. A working mom should pump 3 times over 9 hours away. With me working from home, I'm pumping twice and feeding the baby directly once.

The only thing I would suggest doing different is switching sides at 7:30. If you feed for 10 minutes, do 5 on each side. If you're still 2 oz short then drink a ton of water, do a TON of breast massage (I basically squeeze it out like an orange the entire pump session) and check your flange size.

False. This is baby-starving, lactivist BS. I think the original advice was intended for short periods away from the mother. To advise it for a full day of daycare is unbelievably irresponsible. This type of nonsense is why I hate breastfeeding advocates.

lolol do you even have kids? give me a source that says 1-1.5 of oz during the daytime is "starvation". MOST babies at 4-5 months drink 25-30 oz a day.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

First of all, nowhere in that link does it say you should limit a baby's intake of milk at daycare to 1-1.5 oz of milk per hour. And yes, I have a 15 month old that I am currently weaning, who drank 20 oz during about 9 hours of daycare when she was 5-6 months old. I'm sure you think I was letting her caregivers overfeed her, but when you actually take the time to read the very same link you sent and consider she was mostly sleeping through the night you'll realize she 100% did need those 20 oz.

That article is actually not terrible except where it fearmongers about bottles at the end. According to the AAP, responsive feeding with bottles or breast is always best. Babies are excellent self-regulators, so if they are demanding milk, you should feed them. Bottles do not cause babies to overfeed no matter how many times the KellyMom crazies say it. For the love of your baby, listen to the daycare teachers when the say your baby needs more milk. I can't believe people actually need to be told this.

One of my biggest regrets as a mom is spending even a minute worrying that I was overfeeding my baby because she didn't follow the absurd 1-1.5 oz per hour rule not realizing it was invented by lactivists to get babies to drink less from the bottle and more from the breast. They don't seem to realize that starving hungry babies because of a ridiculous obsession with breastfeeding is not only stupid, but cruel.