Does power pumping really work? How long do you have to do it to achieve the results? Breastfeeding mums, we have the answers here.
The benefits of breast milk for babies are unprecedented. But what happens if the mother’s breast milk supply cannot keep up with her baby’s demand? Is this the best time to switch to infant formulas?
Mummies, do not give up on your dwindling breast milk supply for there's still hope. Arm yourself with a high-quality breast pump and start power pumping your way to an increased milk source.
Why Pump
Breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to consistently feed their babies hourly. This is to ensure that their breasts are continuously stimulated to be able to produce large volumes of milk each time. But because not all babies require hourly feedings and not all mums have an established milk supply, the use of breast pumps is highly recommended. This is especially true for working mums who want to build a stash for their babies to consume when they are at work.
Breast pumps work by mimicking the sucking motion that infants do when feeding. This typically results in an improved supply of breast milk.
Low Milk Supply
With milk being our baby's primary source of nutrients, it is absolutely essential that we have enough milk to sustain them for at least a year. How can you tell if you're suffering from a low milk supply? Look out for the following symptoms.
Signs of Low Milk Supply
- Inadequate weight gain in the baby
- Baby's cheeks look sunken while breastfeeding
- Decreased frequency of wet and soiled diapers
- Signs of dehydration in the baby
- Absence of gulping noises and swallowing during nursing
- Baby is fussy and irritable after feeding
- Breasts feel full or engorged even after nursing
What causes low milk supply? Here are some of the culprits:
- Taking hormonal oral contraceptives
- Poor nipple latching
- Postpartum haemorrhages
- Retained placenta fragments
- Incorrect positioning of the baby during feedings
- Poorly managed chronic conditions like diabetes, thyroid diseases, and polycystic ovary syndrome
- Previous breast reduction surgery or trauma
- Taking certain medications while breastfeeding, such as antihistamines
- Tongue-tie in the baby
- Supplementing with formula without expressing or pumping milk regularly
Power Pumping
Even with the aid of a breast pump, some mummies still find themselves frazzled just to keep up with their babies’ demand for milk. It seems that breast pumps didn’t make a difference in increasing the volume of milk that they produce each feeding. This is where power pumping is applied.
What is power pumping?
According to Yvon Bock, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Founder & CEO of Hegen Pte Ltd, Singapore’s leading mother and baby care brand, power pumping is to mimic baby's growth spurt or cluster feeding to increase milk supply.
Power pumping is a tried and tested method performed by a lot of exclusively breastfeeding mothers to increase their supply of nutritious breast milk. In a nutshell, power pumping is like regular breast pumping but at frequent intervals.
For the next part, we will try to answer all your questions regarding power pumping.
Who should do power pumping?
Power pumping is a technique that can be incredibly beneficial for women who are struggling with low milk supply while breastfeeding or pumping for their babies. It is designed to mimic cluster feeding, which stimulates the body to produce more breast milk.
If you find yourself questioning your milk supply or facing challenges in keeping up with your baby's demands, power pumping might be the right approach for you.
"Pump only if you have a low milk supply to stimulate further production or you would like to build up a stash," said Yvon.
Meanwhile, if you have an established milk supply, if you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby on a regular basis and if your baby is cluster feeding, then that schedule in itself will naturally increase your breast milk and there's no need to power pump.
Doing so might lead to an oversupply, which can cause breast engorgement or mastitis. So, you have been warned. It is also advisable to consult a lactation counsellor before starting power pumping.
How does power pumping work?
The objective of power pumping is to repeatedly pump the breasts to improve milk supply. The continuous emptying of the breasts gives a signal to the body that it should produce more breast milk in half the time.
Power pumping is actually done on and off in a span of an hour in one day. Mummies need to pump continuously for 20 minutes, rest for the next 10, pump again for 10 minutes, rest for another 10 minutes and pump for 10 minutes before stopping or
- 20 minutes - pump
- 10 minutes - rest
- 10 minutes - pump
- 10 minutes - rest
- 10 minutes - pump
You can also try another power pumping schedule with 5-minute intervals. For example:
- 5 minutes - pump
- 5 minutes - rest
- 5 minutes - pump
- 5 minutes - rest
- 5 minutes - pump
How often should you power pump?
According to Amanda Glenn, a board-certified lactation counsellor, power pumping once a day is enough. However,
"If you want to do it twice (a day) and you can manage it, that’s fine, but make sure that you don’t pump so much that you get burned out and miserable. You are worth more to your baby than a few extra ounces of breast milk," she reminded.
What is the best time to do power pumping?
Any time that you can devote one hour to pumping is fine. But preferably, do it at a time when your baby is asleep or when you have someone taking care of them so that you can focus on power pumping. If you're a working mum, you can even do it on your break. Just make sure you store your breast milk properly in the office fridge.
Do you have to power pump both breasts?
Power pumping using a double pump is preferable since it saves enough time. If you are using a single breast pump or a manual pump, you can alternate the breasts. For example, while the left boob is pumping, the right one is resting and vice versa.
When can I start power pumping?
As a general rule, you should wait for six to eight weeks after giving birth or have an established milk supply before you start pumping or building a stash for your baby. If after that point you notice a drop in your milk supply, you can start power pumping.
Is Power Pumping Effective? How to Achieve Best Results
In order for power pumping to be effective, it should be done once a day until the breast milk supply matches the baby’s feeding demands. It is important to note that regular breast pumping and feeding sessions should be continued in order to see results.
Power pumping for breast milk is highly effective when paired with a lot of rest and a healthy diet. This is why relaxing after a tasty meal is the best time to power pump. However, it can also be done at any time that the mother feels most relaxed. Research shows that breast milk production is often hindered by stress, panic and anxiety.
Results can be experienced as swiftly as two days. But for some mothers, it could take as long as a week. If you find that you are not producing any milk during the sessions, "dry pumping," that's okay - because an empty breast, especially when stimulated tells your body to make more milk fast! So don’t give up, mummies! Just keep power pumping your way to more breast milk.
Handy Power Pumping Tips
- Double power pumping empties your breast faster and increases prolactin in your body more than single pumping. Double pump for faster results.
- Set up your breast pump somewhere you will walk past often like your kitchen or living room.
- Keep track of your schedule by having a clock handy or using an alarm. If watching an alarm is too stressful for you, you can be watching a favourite TV program, pumping during the commercials and resting during the show or listening to music, pumping during two songs and resting during the next two.
- Try to view the time as an opportunity to wind down rather than another task that must be completed.
- Power pumping is not meant to replace your normal pumping routine; it’s designed to enhance your milk supply within an established routine.
What If Power Pumping Doesn't Work
Some mums in our TAP community group shared how power pumping worked for them in increasing their milk supply, yet some were not successful and doing it led to more stress. According to Yvon, the effectiveness varies for each individual. You
You can check if your pump parts are working fine, and if the size of the flanges is suited to your breasts. You also try pumping after latching to increase your milk supply, as it signals more demand to your body. But if you're still struggling, do not hesitate to consult a lactation counsellor.
"Some mums may respond to pump more, some mums may do so less. It could be due to the fit of your pump parts, such as the size of your flanges. You might want to see a lactation consultant to find the root of the cause," Yvon reminded.
Have you ever tried power pumping? How did it change your breastfeeding routine? Tell us about your experience. We’d love to hear from you.
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