Marathon Pumping

I can tell you that I tried this with my daughter and with my Medela Pump-in-Style did not have good results... or I guess I should say the results were no better than pumping as usual. However, I did notice that when I used my Avent handheld, I could often better encourage let-down and could get more milk more frequently this way. It was also better for me when I was painfully engorged.

If pumping exclusively is working for you, then I say great! I never minded pumping too much, but I would have much rather nursed any day- I found it relaxing and more comfortable than the pump and I enjoyed seeing my baby look up at me and pat my breast, etc. It was very much a bonding experience. If you have pain while nursing or your baby has issues with nipple confusion, etc. it would probably be WELL worth it to see a lactation consultant. However, if you're content, then happy mommies make for happy babies! :)

Also, for supply- things that really worked for me (I worked 60+ hrs a week away from baby, so I did a lot of pumping too!)

-Eating oatmeal always increased my supply
-Making sure I was hydrated. By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrating. Take water bottles with you everywhere you go!
-Looking at/holding my baby while nursing, or looking at a photo of her and smelling something she wore or a blanky of hers while I pumped.
-This may not be an option for you, but I also liked the times when I could pump one side while she nursed the other- I found I had a much stronger let-down and pumped more during those sessions. It can be a juggling act though, depending on how your pump is set-up.

Congrats on your baby and your decision to give your baby the best food on earth! :)
-Amanda
aspiring IBCLC

I did this for a little while when I was worried about getting enough for my son while I was at work. I would pump 10, break 10, then pump 10 again (I've heard it referred to as "power pumping"). It worked ok, but what I found worked better was just pumping a bit more frequently. So instead of spending 30-60 minutes pumping in a single session every 4 hours, if you spend 15 minutes pumping every 2-3 hours you get a lot more. At least, I did.

I found the "pumpmoms" group at groups.yahoo.com to be very helpful in figuring out the best way to effectively pump. There are lots of other EPers on the list so if you're not hooked in, you might think about it.

I think it depends on the person. I EP-ed my first son for 14 months and went up and down in supply. I have done the marathon pumping that you talked about and it worked for me. ALso, when you are pumping, if you pump for 10 minutes past the time that you stop expressing milk. Again, it works for some and not others. Its almost like you are simulating a growth spurt where your baby (pump) is nursing very often.

I wish you luck. The oatmeal was also a great suggestion (I even found that Oatmeal creme pies worked too . . .perhaps it was psychosomatic, but I was convinced that it worked!). And as strange as it it, I have the medela pump in style and found that the car adapter is MUCH stronger than the electrical adapter. I am breastfeeding my 2nd son now and pump a few times a week and I always get more when I pump in the car . . .strange, I know!

It sounds like you are really doing well already. Keep up the good work!
B.

I did it when my supply seemed to lapse with my babie's growth spurts. I used a Medela pump and it worked.

Dear MR, I wish I had some advice for you but I have a question instead. I am going to be having my first child this July and would like to nurse and pump. My question to you is, does it hurt to pump? It looks kind of painful. This question may be a bit naive, but I am new at this.
Thank you, A.

MR:

yes, this is a technique that works for some women/ also depends on the pumps used/ all pumps are not equal. a hospital grade pump is the "top" of the line_ medela symphony or classic, hollister smb or laact-e.

some mothers use herbs/homeopathy.

you are welcome to call and discuss this with me.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Suppport Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com