https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:31:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580106 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:17:42 +0000 DillonLion 580106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ellybecks: I have the Symphony as well. Hopefully I'll get more efficient as time goes on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580101 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:16:07 +0000 ellybecks 580101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was using the Medela Freestyle, and would pump about 20-23 minutes since I didn't feel empty and was trying to get as much milk as possible. I was pumping 3x/day at work and only producing 12 oz total, so wanted to get as much as I could and my LC said to pump after the last drop to stimulate production.</p> <p>I now switched to the Medela Symphony, and it only takes 15-18 minutes to produce as much or more than before. I can now pump only 2x/day and get over 12 oz. The Symphony doesn't have a timer on it, so I just watch the clock and the flow to see when it slows down and when I feel like I've pumped enough for that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580084 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:12:14 +0000 LemonLong 580084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stop at 20 minutes when I'm in the office. The lactation room is shared and is booked in half hour increments so I don't want to monopolize it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580078 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:11:13 +0000 DillonLion 580078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Yeah, that's what I've heard from the LCs I've talked to as well. Probably just cut it off as close to 20 mins as possible. Especially since I've already had a case of mastitis that came up when I was working on building a freezer stash and pumping a lot more frequently than before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580075 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:10:03 +0000 mediagirl 580075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stop at 20 minutes. I don't think your boobs are ever "empty." I was told by a lactation consultant that you can do more harm that good by pumping for long periods of time so, I stop at 20. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580055 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:05:52 +0000 LittleGBee 580055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could never pump to empty, mostly because I could never be empty. I ended up with an oversupply because I thought I was supposed to pump until nothing came out, but that never really happened for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580048 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:03:18 +0000 DillonLion 580048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pelikila: Smart! Yeah I really want to cover myself with a blanket while I pump either way. I keep splashing milk on my clothes at the end of the pumping sessions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580043 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:02:29 +0000 pelikila 580043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: The more you practice the better you'll get. I usually would leave the flange on the bottle and just hand express into there over a burp cloth laid in my lap so I had a bit of a "splatter shield". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580027 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:58:03 +0000 DillonLion 580027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pelikila: I just watched a video on the importance of hand expression! I experimented a bit with it at home last night, but it was kind of messy so I didn't want to mess with it at work today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580019 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:56:37 +0000 pelikila 580019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pumped until milk stopped readily coming out and then finished with hand expression to get the rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580009 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:53:28 +0000 hellobeeboston 580009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump until milk stops coming out! But it's usually only around 15 minutes... Also hoping it gets faster for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-580004 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:52:12 +0000 DillonLion 580004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: Yeah maybe things will get faster as time goes on. I got into the habit of letting LO nurse for an hour towards the end of the maternity leave. That was 1) probably a terrible idea and 2) probably why it takes me so long to pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-579992 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:50:04 +0000 mrskc 579992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If milk is coming out, I don't like to stop. I've noticed now it seems like I can pump quicker now. My first week back it took me 20 minutes to pump 5 ounces and now it only takes about 10 minutes. I still pump for 15 minutes tho. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-to-empty#post-579952 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:40:54 +0000 DillonLion 579952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you pump at work (or some place where you don't have unlimited time) do you pump for a certain amount of time or until you stop producing?</p> <p>Usually I can get everything out in 20 minutes, but if the pump is still getting milk to come out I like to wait until it is done. But I don't have all the time in the world. Do you just cut it off at a certain time? </p>