When did you get up to pumping at full speed?

By ladyfingers Feb 20, 2013

I have a Medela PIS and just started pumping yesterday. I find I can only tolerate up to a 3, sometimes only up to a 2 if I'm pumping to empty after LO has already fed on one side (I have a clogged duct). I have had nipple soreness due to shallow latch so I don't know if this is why pumping hurts so much, but I know I'm going to need to get up to 5 since I'll be pumping when I return to work in 10 weeks.

Were you able to tolerate pumping at a higher pressure right away, or did it take you a while to ramp up to it?

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23 comments

mrsjyw
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I was at an 8 or 9 on my medela freestyle almost right away, I couldn't get milk out otherwise... it was sore for a day and now I'm used to it.
DillonLion
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts

Feb 20, 2013

At the hospital, the LCs told me to pump at a setting that felt comfortable. And increasing the suction did not mean increased output. The different suction levels were just designed so there was a variety of options for the user, and they should use whichever level felt comfortable and allowed them to pump milk out efficiently.

Anyone feel free to correct me if they know otherwise! This is just what the LCs in the hospital told me.
kiddosc
grapefruit / 4278 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I don't think you should necessarily ever get up to a five... I never go full speed or full suction strength and I've been pumping for 8 months now. You should actually use the lowest speed and the lowest suction strength that is effective for you. While you will probably be able to increase your settings some in the next week or two, I wouldn't worry about trying to go full tilt.
ladyfingers
pomelo / 5331 posts

Feb 20, 2013

@kiddosc: @highwire: Ah, see, the lactation consultant I saw yesterday told me I should be pumping at a 5 when I'm back at work. I hate it when I get shitty information. She also derided me for only pumping one ounce while she was here, even though I'd already fed LO off that side for 10 minutes and was pumping at the lowest level for maybe 5 minutes. So I guess I should have known she was full of crap.
mediagirl
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I've never pumped at full speed. I pump where it feels comfortable. That has always worked for me.
DillonLion
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts

Feb 20, 2013

@ladyfingers: She gave you a hard time for pumping an ounce? That's crappy. An ounce is great.
ladyfingers
pomelo / 5331 posts

Feb 20, 2013

@highwire: Yeah we were trying to figure out why LO backs off my letdown, and I said I thought it might be because I had an oversupply and/or overactive letdown. So after I pumped the ounce she was like, "Most women pump 2-4 ounces. That is *NOT* 2-4 ounces. You don't have an oversupply. You have an... OK supply."

Then when we were bottle feeding LO (she wanted to see how he handled a normal flow) he was choking on it and she said basically that means can't handle a normal flow for whatever reason and is acting like my letdown is strong, when it's probably not. But she wasn't using slow-flow nipples, just the Medela nipples that came with my pump, and LO is only 2 weeks old so... I don't know. I'm thinking it was just coming out too quickly for him. I may still not have a particularly overactive letdown, but I resented her comments about my capacity and LO's feeding ability, especially considering he's been gaining at least an ounce a day since my milk came in.

I was kind of discouraged by the entire session, and pissed I spent $120, but now I'm getting off topic.
kiddosc
grapefruit / 4278 posts

Feb 20, 2013

@ladyfingers: yea, sounds like you got a bum LC... I typically only get 1.5 ounces out of my right breast after pumping for 20 minutes at work.
DillonLion
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts

Feb 20, 2013

@ladyfingers: I'm so sorry! There are so many sensitive issues at play when working with new moms who are trying to breastfeed. I can't believe all the judgment with the "you only pumped an ounce" "most women pump 2-4". How unsupportive.
pelikila
pomegranate / 3008 posts

Feb 20, 2013

Within about 2 months I went from a low setting to the highest setting. Go with what feels comfortable for you though. Some days that might be higher than others.
mrskc
bananas / 9357 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I can tolerate a high suction, but that's just me. I have an ameda and the manual said to pump at what level of suction was comfortable. Usually I start at a lower suction and then turn it up. Are your flanges the right size for you? I know that can cause discomfort. Your nip shouldn't touch any of the sides.
sarac
pomelo / 5093 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I always pumped at a low setting - never had a need to speed up. I produced just as well on any.
MsLipGloss
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I haven't ever . . . I think I started at 4, and now I usually do 6 or 7.

I don't know for sure, but I think the nipples that come with the Medela pumps are Level 1 nipples (so the flow should be slow) . . . but I am pretty sure the bottle nipple is a little easier for babies (especially at first) than the boob.
rrachael
kiwi / 506 posts

Feb 20, 2013

*definitely* pump at the setting that's comfortable for you and that allows you to get some milk. A setting too high could result in a blister on your nipple >_<. Also, the amount you get totally could change depending on the time. When I pump in the morning, I easily get 5 oz off one side. The other day, however, DH and I were going out for a bit while my mom watched LO ... I pumped both sides and got 3 oz off one side and barely 1 off the other. It varies!
sunny
coconut / 8430 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I still only turn it up to a 3-4 and I've been pumping for 6 months!
littlebittyhouse
pear / 1570 posts

Feb 20, 2013

i have the hygiea and at 7.5mo I am just getting up to full speed/suction.
immabeetoo
honeydew / 7687 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I only pump once a weekend or so but I get plenty on 3! I think it's whatever feels comfortable
mrs. wagon
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts

Feb 20, 2013

I have been exclusively pumping for 5 months, 4 times a day at least, and I can only tolerate the very lowest setting!! Sometimes I go to turn it down because it's too strong and I move out down one millimeter and it goes back down to the letdown phase.
2PeasinaPod
pomelo / 5524 posts

Feb 20, 2013

Yes! Pump at the level that's comfortable for you! I never got up to full speed with my Medela Freestyle. I also met with 2 lactation consultants who were less than supportive. That's when I went to pumping FT and bottle feeding.
hilsy85
squash / 13764 posts

Feb 20, 2013

@ladyfingers: completely off topic but you CAN have an over active letdown without having an oversupply, so the amount that you pumped doesn't have anything to do with how fast your milk comes out! Based on what I've read/you've posted, it definitely sounds like an overactive letdown to me. Sorry she was so crappy to you
mrs. wagon
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts

Feb 21, 2013

Sorry I was thinking about this thread last night as I was pumping, and I seriously think that if I turned my pump up all the way it would suck the nipples right off my boobs.
leelee
persimmon / 1194 posts

Feb 21, 2013

@mrs. wagon: agreed! I pumped for 7 months and always pumped at 4, any stronger was too painful. It never effected my supply, I still pumped 60oz a day.
Sammyfab
pomegranate / 3383 posts

Feb 21, 2013

For the first month I rented a hospital-grade pump and could barely get past a 3. Then I got the PIS and started at the halfway mark (mine just has ticks and no numbers). It took maybe 2-3 weeks to get to full speed. I don't think I respond as well to a pump as others may.

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When did you get up to pumping at full speed?

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