Breastfeeding works based on the tried and true concept of supply and demand. Your breasts should supply an adequate amount of milk whenever your baby demands it. But, as with most things related to motherhood, there are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes, you just can't produce enough milk and it's frustrating as hell. If you are looking for ways to make sure your supply keeps up with baby's demand, you may have wondered will power pumping increase my milk supply?
According to breast pump manufacturer Lansinoh's blog, power pumping is defined as pumping rapidly so that your body thinks it needs to be producing more milk.The act of power pumping is intended to mimic your baby's feeding patterns during a growth spurt and trick your body into increasing the supply of milk it produces.
If you are planning to power pump, Lansinoh suggested finding time in the morning when your milk production is generally at it's highest. During a one-hour power pumping session, you would pump for 40 minutes according to the following pattern:
- Pump for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes
For the rest of the day, you would pump normally according to your baby's feeding schedule.
According to Pregnancy, Birth, & Beyond, it should only take three days to effectively increase your milk supply. After that, you can resume pumping normally. You should begin to see some results within 48 hours of your first session.
If you plan to give power pumping a try, you should secure a high-quality electric pump to produce the best results. And since you will be spending a lot of time with your boobs attached to your pump, you may find it easier to experiment with power pumping over the course of a weekend.
As always, you should consult with your doctor or a lactation consultant if you have questions about whether you are producing an adequate amount of milk for your baby. And most importantly, try to remain positive. Once you and your baby find your nursing groove, you'll be glad you did.
