Power pumping! No, it’s not the latest muscle building gym craze. It’s an innovative technique to help nursing mothers maximize their milk output potential by mimicking a baby’s cluster feeding cycle by using the breast pump to help your body produce more milk to meet the new higher demand. This technique can help mothers who are struggling with producing enough milk to add additional ounces to their daily supply without having to resort to things like medications or formula in order to meet their child’s nutritional needs. After all, with today’s busy schedules, working moms need to be able to squeeze every drop of milk production out that they can, and we’re happy to help!
Here Is A Sample Cluster Feeding Pattern You Can Use
Generally Power pumping is done 1x per day and for 10 min increments for up to 1 hour. Most publications recommend that you can start this process by doing it once per week for 1 to 2 weeks and then build up to daily sessions from there, but your mileage may vary.
Example schedule (in minutes):
10 on
10 off
10 on
10 off
10 on
10 off/done
Give Yourself Time To Recover!
Many women forget that it is also important to have enough time for their breasts to refill after a power pumping session. Typically 2 hrs minimum, but 2.5-3 hrs is more ideal. There needs to be milk for baby to feed at the breast. It’s easy to forget about this very important aspect to milk removal and power pumping. Pump away, but leave time for your body to recharge before the next feeding.
Great Power Pumping Opportunities
If you’re feeling like you’re falling behind on meeting your baby’s feeding needs, then power pumping is an excellent option for you. Here are a few great example situations in which you can use power pumping to put you over the top in your milk production during these hectic times.
- Power pump when supply is low in the evening. Right before starting the bedtime routine is a good time to get a power pump session in. Just make sure that baby is going to have a bottle or you will feed baby FIRST, then start pumping. Alternately, you can feed baby and put to bed, then power pump before YOU go to bed for the night.
- When supply has been affected by travel, return to work, or missed feeding sessions.
- When you need help keeping up with actual cluster feeding from your infant.
- Remember, milk production potential is all about supply and demand. Your body won’t supply it if it isn’t getting a demand for it from either the pump or the baby.
Lactation Support Services
We can help you with your lactation questions as well as provide a consultation regarding all aspects of newborn care, breastfeeding, latching, and all the rest. There is a lot to consider and to learn when it comes to breastfeeding and pumping and trying to do it all by yourself right after having a child is difficult to say the least! Let us help you with our expertise and years of experience to ensure that your breastfeeding journey is nothing short of perfect.
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed learning about tips for power pumping in order to help you produce the milk you need for your little one. If you would like to know more about this, our sleep programs or any of our excellent newborn care services, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your little one. We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!
If you have questions about your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would love to help. Please reach out to us here! We always look forward to hearing from you.
