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About Michele Carnesecca
Expertise
Author of the book "MOMMY"S LITTLE BREASTFEEDING BOOK: 101 TIPS YOUR BABY WANTS YOU TO KNOW ABOUT NURSING" (Coming May 2008). I can answer questions on the benefits of breastfeeding, how to increase your milk supply, engorgement, mastitis, scheduling feedings, going back to work, sore nipples, correct latch and positioning, pumps, bras, bottles, pacifiers, breastfeeding products, how to know if your baby is getting enough, and most questions about breastfeeding. I have worked as a Registered Nurse in Pediatrics, Newborn ICU, and Mother/Baby. I have been a Lactation Consultant for 10 years and I am IBCLC certified. I teach Prenatal Breastfeeding classes and I currently work as a Lactation Consultant at a "Magnet" hospital. I have breastfed 4 children of my own.

Experience
I have worked as a registered nurse in Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, and Newborn ICU. I have been a Lactation Consultant for the past 10 years and I am IBCLC certified. I currently work as a lactation consultant in a "Magnet" hospital. I also teach Prenatal Breastfeeding classes. I have breastfed four children of my own. I have a new book coming out in May 2008 called "Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book: 101 tips your baby wants you to know about nursing". I

Organizations
IBCLC

Publications

Education/Credentials
High School graduate, RN degree from Weber State/Utah State University, IBCLC member

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Pregnancy/Birth > Breastfeeding > Power pumping

Topic: Breastfeeding

Expert: Michele Carnesecca
Date: 5/10/2008
Subject: Power pumping

Question
QUESTION: I read some of your recommendations about increasing supply. One of them is power pumping. My son is 2 months old. I just rented a pump to try to increase supply. I have also been taking fenugreek for two weeks now, 3x3 every day. It at first seemed to work fine but the supply seemed to decrease again. I nursed my son at least 8 times a day. My question about power pumping is, how can it increase supply in general? When is the best time to do it? Like, one hour after the feeding? Or immediately after? Also, since I barely have enough milk for him at each feeding (he wiggled and got frustrated at the end of each feeding because no more milk is coming out. We have to wait for a little bit until a little bit more milk is coming out). If I pumped in between feeding, does it mean he will get less at the nursing session? I know that the emptier the breast is, the faster the milk production. But then, if it takes 2 and a half hour to produce enough for him per session, how can adding a pumping session is between helping? I am getting desparate now because I am returning to work in 4 weeks. I would like to build up at least a small stack of milk.

ANSWER: Hi Danise,

Thanks for the questions. Power pumping can be a little confusing........hopefully I can answer your questions:

1. Basically, power pumping is meant to imitate cluster feedings or growth spurts in babies. The more a baby nurses, the more milk you produce. When you pump a lot (over the space of an hour), it really signals your body that you need to produce more milk and increases your hormone levels to make more milk.

2. You can try power pumping any time that your baby is sleeping a little longer than usual. A lot of moms like to power pump in the morning after the initial morning feeding because you will usually have more milk in the morning. If you are trying to store up milk for work, I recommend nursing your baby on one side in the morning and pumping on the other side because you will usually have more milk in the morning. That way, you can stock up at little milk every day until you go back to work. With power pumping, however, the goal is not necessarily to get a lot of milk out but to give your breasts a lot of extra stimulation.

3. How much do you currently pump out of your breasts right now? A baby can get a lot more milk out of the breast than a pump can. Do you let down well to a pump? Have you seen an increase in your supply using the rental pump?

4. Are there any other factors that might contribute to a lower milk supply: medications, return of a period, stress, dieting, not drinking enough, not sleeping? Is your baby sleeping through the night? Are your breasts not being emptied at night by the baby or by a pump? All of these things can alter a supply.

5. Is your baby getting enough? Does he swallow a lot while nursing? Is he content after most of his feedings? Is he having at least 6 wet diapers a day and plenty of messy, yellow ones? Is he gaining about 4-7 ounces a week? Make sure he is getting enough while you try to increase your supply.

6. I recommend for the next few days to keep your baby with you (you can use a baby sling or carrier). This will really help a milk supply as well. Then, your baby will have the opportunity to snack all day and you will not feel like you don't have enough milk when he wants a big meal. It really helps your milk supply to have a baby with mom all day and snacking.

7. When you pump after a feeding, you probably will not get any milk out. Pumping when the breast is drained really signals the body to produce more milk. However, as you keep doing this over a few days, your body will begin to catch up and produce more milk. So, just hang on a little until your body catches up. In the meantime, feed your baby often to help keep him satisfied.

8. You can try other herbs. There are many websites with galactagogue information. Google galactagogues and there are a lot of website that you can check out. You might want to try other herbs that would work for you if Fenugreek isn't.

9. Massage and compress your breasts a lot while nursing or pumping for added stimulation.

I hope this helps a little. Please let me know if I didn't address a question that you had. Let me know if you have more questions or need any clarification.

Hang in there..........it can take a lot of patience to increase a supply. You should begin to notice an increase in your supply in a couple of days.

Good luck,

Michele

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the answers and recommendations. I just used the rental pump once. But it performs just exactly like the store bought pump. I got the same amount of milk, which is very disappointing. I could only get a little more than 3 oz total. It definitely is not enough for my son. I guess I may not respond well to the pump. Will the let down get improved over time? Does it take time to get used to a pump? I only used the pump every now and then because the result was very discouraging.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Danise,

Pumping 3 oz. total is actually pretty good. Because a baby can get more out of the breast than a pump can, 3 oz. is fine. If you need to have more milk stored up for work, start pumping at least an extra bottle a day and by the time you go back to work, you should be pretty stocked up.

As far as the let down goes, it will improve and get quicker over time. If you feed your baby on one side and use the pump on the other, you should be able to let down a little easier. It is always easier to let down when your baby is nursing.

I am sorry that the rental pump is not helping more. I would keep using the pump for at least a couple of days after every feeding. Even though you are not getting much out, you are giving your breasts extra stimulation. It usually takes a couple of days of pumping a lot to notice a difference in your milk supply.

I wish you the best of luck with your supply,

Michele

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