Hellobee Boards Topic: How do you know when to stop pumping?

Hellobee Boards Topic: How do you know when to stop pumping? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:40:20 +0000 lawbee11 on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1548206 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:54:28 +0000 lawbee11 1548206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I pump until the second letdown...for me that's usually around 15 minutes. sotofamilia on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1548110 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 13:20:27 +0000 sotofamilia 1548110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I pumped between 20 and 25 minutes because I got the second let down around the 20 minute mark. Maybe try one time for 20 minutes and see what happens? I never had an oversupply or a forceful letdown, so you may be one of the lucky ones that really is done in 10 minutes! Baby Boy Mom on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1548017 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 11:58:09 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1548017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In the early days I always pumped 20 minutes, or a little more if milk was still flowing. I often got my second let down at the 14 minute mark. daniellemybelle on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547977 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 11:17:56 +0000 daniellemybelle 1547977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Danizaur: I have to press the button & do the faster speed at least twice. Usually my first letdown is pretty much over after 8-10 minutes & then I spend another 10 minutes working on getting the second letdown which usually comes at the 20 minute mark. artsyfartsy on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547969 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 11:07:24 +0000 artsyfartsy 1547969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @daniellemybelle: I have a pump in style. I use the button to change the speed but I found that hasn't helped me so far. daniellemybelle on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547964 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 11:02:30 +0000 daniellemybelle 1547964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I pump for about 30 minutes because I get a second letdown at about 20 minutes. For me every drop counts so it is worth it to wait for the second letdown. What kind of pump do you have? I have a Medela & I have to use the letdown button a few times to get that second letdown going. If I just kept going at the same setting I wouldn't get another one. MoonMoon on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547884 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:59:44 +0000 MoonMoon 1547884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ At first, I tried not to go longer than 15-20 min, because I didn't want to cause more over-production. Later, when I needed more milk I found that if I just kept pumping, I'd eventually get that second letdown. T.H.O.U. on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547832 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:08:20 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1547832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For now that's probably fine but at work you'll want to try to get that second let down. Easiest way - keep pumping longer Another option - repeat the let down stimulation (faster pulsing) Another option - turn the pump off for about two minutes then start back up Hardest option - stop and unhook for about 2 minutes and start again for another 10. I really found that by totally unhooking and getting a glass of water and then trying again would sometimes almost double my output. singingbee on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547831 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:08:15 +0000 singingbee 1547831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I always pumped for 15 minutes no matter what. I have/had a second letdown around 7-8 minutes and I get more. So if I stopped early than that, it would lower my pumping output. I've also heard that if you are getting used to the pump for work purposes, you shouldn't pump less than 10 minutes. Charm54 on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547815 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 08:56:42 +0000 Charm54 1547815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ That's how it worked for me too . I never reflowed (Did I just make up that word) after I stopped. Each session was around 10-15 minutes , I stopped once the milk stopped flowing. Pirouette on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547807 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 08:51:47 +0000 Pirouette 1547807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ When I was on maternity leave, I did exactly what you are doing. Once back at work, I pumped a little longer to maximize output and make up for the fact that I don't pump as often as she nurses when I'm home. Occasionally it will take a while for one side to let down, so I have to go a little longer and I just stop whenever I feel like it as long as there's not tons of milk flowing. But I'm pretty sure I could pump forever if I was waiting for it to stop completely haha! lady grey on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547767 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 08:29:28 +0000 lady grey 1547767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I believe research has shown that moms don't get significantly more milk pumping more then 12-15 minutes. So I'd stop at 15 mins unless you want to increase your supply. Have you tried any breast massage/compression while pumping? Doing that would really help me get more milk. <a href="http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html" rel="nofollow">http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html</a> avivoca on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547757 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 08:23:31 +0000 avivoca 1547757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I rarely pump more than 10-15 minutes. The days that it takes longer are the days I haven't had enough to eat or drink. bhbee on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547741 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 08:07:59 +0000 bhbee 1547741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ This is how it worked for me too. I had a lot of milk and pumped quickly and was easily done in 10 minutes, probably less. I don't think I ever had multiple letdowns in one session. LO also nursed quickly like this. As long as you keep up with what baby needs I wouldn't worry about it. Trailmix on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547730 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 07:51:35 +0000 Trailmix 1547730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I just guessed! And I usually pumped around 10 minutes, so that sounds normal to me... Trailmix on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547729 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 07:51:35 +0000 Trailmix 1547729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I just guessed! And I usually pumped around 10 minutes, so that sounds normal to me... artsyfartsy on "How do you know when to stop pumping?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-pumping#post-1547710 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 07:30:39 +0000 artsyfartsy 1547710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I pump once a day in the morning in addition to EBF all day long with my baby. I go back to work in a month and will pump at work. I pump to build up a freezer stash, to practice pumping, and to take some of the pressure off of my LO because my milk flow is too fast and chokes him. Pumping makes nursing much easier. I always turn the pump off after I've stopped producing milk for about 2 minutes just to make sure. My total pumping time can't be more than 10 minutes though. I'm getting on average about 3 ounces per session...sometimes 2 and sometimes even 4. I'm afraid I'm not pumping long enough and could be getting more milk. Kellymom says that milk will flow and stop and flow and stop. Mine only stops once...I give it a little bit (about 2 mins) before I stop to see if it'll start back up but it doesn't. My breasts feel soft but not 100% sure that they're empty. Am I waiting long enough? How do you know?