One thing that often gets recommended to women that are trying to increase their milk supply is power pumping. One advantage of power pumping is that it doesn’t require trying any new supplements or medications, and anyone can do it. Here is everything you need to know to try it out.
What is power pumping? How can power pumping help me increase my milk supply?
Power pumping attempts to mimic cluster feeding, but with a breast pump. (This is why it’s also called “cluster pumping.”)
When a nursing baby cluster feeds, he stays at the breast, nursing on and off and trying to get more milk. Often, this happens in the early evenings – both because that’s when babies start to tank up for a longer stretch of sleep and because breastfeeding mothers tend to have lower milk supply at that time. It also happens when babies have a growth spurt, and they need more milk than they normally do.
Because breast milk works as a supply and demand system – meaning that the more milk your body thinks your baby needs, the more it will make – the baby staying at the breast signals the body that there is more demand, which often leads to a higher milk supply.
Power pumping breast milk is just your pump staying at the breast and trying to get more milk, instead of your baby. Fortunately, your pump likely to be less fussy than a hungry baby.
How do I power pump to increase supply?
In order to power pump, you’ll want to sit down and pump on and off at an interval for about an hour. You can choose the interval that works for you – you can do 20 minutes first and then 10 minutes off and on, 12 minutes on and 8 off, 15 and 5, etc. The amount of time doesn’t have to be exact – cluster feeding babies don’t nurse for exactly 15 minutes, take a 5 minute break, etc. You just want to spend more than half the time pumping and some time resting.
That’s pretty much all you have to do!
One power pumping session replaces one of your pumping sessions from your normal schedule, so you can just pump at your usual time, but for longer than you normally would and at intervals.
Note: If you’re power pumping and nothing is coming out, you should keep pumping! Your goal is to get another letdown, which will give you more milk.
How often should I power pump?
Once per day is great. If you want to do twice 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.
Can I power pump with a manual pump?
Yes. To use a manual pump when you cluster pump, you could pump each side for 12 minutes, and then switch back and forth on each side for 8 minutes. So instead of resting completely, each side takes a turn to rest.
As an example, you could do:
- Left side – 12 minutes
- Right side – 12 minutes
- Left side – 8 minutes
- Right side – 8 minutes
- Left side – 8 minutes
- Right side – 8 minutes
- Left side – 8 minutes
- Right side – 8 minutes
(If your hand gets tired, you can obviously take a few minutes to completely rest in between sides, too.)
How can I make power pumping easier?
Do something that you enjoy while you power pump! Pick a time when you can sit and relax a little bit (just, you know … with your breast pump). Watch a show you love, read a book, spend time looking at cat gifs, whatever makes you happy.
Make sure that you have a pumping station set up with everything you need, since you’ll be there awhile. Also, a hands-free bra is key – no one wants to spend an hour holding flanges up to their breasts.
If possible, don’t try to take care of a baby and power pump at the same time. I would try to save power pumping for when your baby is sleeping or you have help.
What are typical power pumping results? Does power pumping work?
It takes a few days for your body’s supply to respond to the increased demand from your breast pump. Try to power pump for at least four days in a row (up to a week of “power pumping boot camp”) and then evaluate how it’s going.
The actual results will vary. Some women don’t see results, many see a gain of a 2-3 ounces, some see more than that.
Good luck! If you’ve tried power pumping, please feel free to share your experience in the comments!
References
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- Madden, Kate, IBCLC. “Empty Evening Boobs.” https://balancedbreastfeeding.com/empty-evening-boobs/
- Mlynek, Alex. “How to survive your newborn’s cluster feeding.” https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/how-to-survive-your-newborns-cluster-feeding/
Hello,
I had a drop in my supply when I went back to work which my consultant said that is common. I pumped every 3 hours with no increase for the fourth week now. I have tried power pumping once a day for three days in a row last week also with no increase. What am I doing wrong?
I also eat lactation cookies, oatmeal, drink water.
Hi KAthy! Power pumping needs a bit more time. I would give it a full week and then reevaluate. You’re doing a great job!
Is power pumping effective when I do it once a day or should I include more power pumping sessions?
My daughter is almost 5 months and I am now exclusively pumping as she refuses to take my breast 🙁 I went a few days this week at work where I had about 6 hrs between pumping during the day and my supply has taken a sharp nose dive. I went from having 4-10 ounces per pumping session to 2.
My pharmacist recommended that I buy fennel seeds and boil it in a pot to make tea and take fenugreek capsules. I have done this method before with great results. I am doing this again but also trying cluster pumping. Today is my first day. I’ve been pumping every 2 hours and then do the 20 on 10 off 10 on 10 off 10 on method. I’ve been doing it every time I pump and I have to say, I’m producing about an ounce more than I normally would at this time of day – Yay!
Hi Maddie! Oh no – that stinks! I hope the fenugreek and cluster pumping help – and I’m so glad you’ve already started to produce more. Yay!
Ive tried the power pumping for a week i dont have a set pumping schedule i just do it every 3 hours i power pumped with every pump of the day now im desperate so im trying a different approach by pumping every hour for 10 -15mins each session im getting about 1-1.5 oz per hour ive been doing this for the past 2.5 days [56 hours total to be exact] and no increase yet. Im also taking fenugreek, a nursing supplement, a multivitamin and drinking 100 oz of water a day. I need thos to work! My daughter will be 3 months old on the 12th and when my milk first came in i was making 5.5 oz or more every 3 hours now i dropped to less than 3 oz every 3 hours. Am i doing something wrong? When will i see results?
Hi Krista! Oh my gosh, this sounds so stressful. I’m sorry this is so hard!
You are doing all of the right things. I think it might not be a bad idea to get some more sleep, though – you must be exhausted. I would pump every 3-4 hours during the night.
What dose of fenugreek are you taking?
Must I rest in between? Can i just power through it for 30 mins?
Different ratios are OK too!
I want to try to power pump. I have a 3 week old and been pumping and giving him bottle. He doesn’t seems to get full when I place him on my breast. I tend to pump 2 to 3 oz and that is from both breast. Should I b3 making more milk. I pump every 3 hours at night I might go 4 or 5 hours depending how tire I am.
Hi Angelica! It sounds like you are doing a great job – that is a great schedule. Power pumping sounds like a good plan in you want to make more milk!
I am exclusively pumping. My right breast is producing about 75% less milk then my left. For example, at each pumping session, I get about 4 ounces from my left breast and one ounce from my right. Can I power pump one breast?
Yes! More info on this here:
https://exclusivepumping.com/how-to-fix-lopsided-breasts-when-breastfeeding/
Hi, my baby is 4 month and she was born in the 7th month .. she was in the hospital for a month and my milk supply never rose after that and now I get only 10 ml twice a day.. will the pp work for me .. can the bm increase now?
Hi Swati! Here is some information on relactation that might be helpful! It’s definitely possible!
https://exclusivepumping.com/relactation-pumping-schedules/
I power pumped for a week and saw a moderate increase in my supply (yay!) Now my question is if I stop power pumping will my supply stay the same? Just because it’s hard to find there time to continue doing this long term.
In theory, as long as you keep removing the same amount of milk from your breasts, it should stay the same!
Trying out power pumping to reestablish my supply since coming back to work. I use a spectra s2, what settings should I put it at to be most effective?
The highest setting that’s still comfortable. Good luck!
So my little is 3 weeks old tomorrow. There has only been one time where she fed directly from the breast and didnt want any formula. When I pump I only get 5-15mls. Any chance power pumping is really going to help my supply?
Hi Emily! What is your pumping schedule like?
Sorry Amanda, I will put her to the breast every 2-3hrs when she wakes then will do formula when she pulls off frustrated. She sometimes will stay latched for 15-20 mins. If she doesnt latch or stay latched for long I will pump afterwards. Over night (10-5) I wake 2 times to pump if she doesnt wake up.
I started pumping for my 3month old 6days ago as we hit a critical point and bf just wasn’t working for him. The first day I was getting 1/2-1 oz or sometimes nothing. I power pumped 5 times a day for 2 days and then dropped down to twice a day. I’m now getting around 3oz most sessions sometimes more. Trying to keep up the power pumping to meet all his needs! Though need to sort out the lazy boob, reassuring to hear it’s a thing!
You’re doing a great job!!!!
Thank you Amanda Glenn!! I shall see how long it takes to see a difference.
Is there such a thing of too much power pumping in a day? The reason I am asking; I pump when I’m at work and that is the perfect time for me to do my power pumping. My milk production has taken a sudden slump and I want to get it back because my baby is getting super fussy!! When momma is home the bottle does not exist LOL As of right now I have been power pumping for 2 days and it seems to still be fluctuating, but still in 12 hours time I am still not producing the same amount I normally do. This is the first time I am trying power pumping and I am 8 months post partum.
I think as long as you aren’t getting totally burned out by power pumping, it should be okay. 🙂 If your baby was cluster feeding there wouldn’t be a limit, right?
I’m attempting this today, does it have any affect during the night? I can go about 8 hours without feeling uncomfortable and I’m hoping to not have to worry about being woken up with engorgement and needing to pump!
How many times do i have to power pump? I ussulay pump at work & breastefeed on demand at home. Do I pump after i feed baby? how many session do I have to do per day and for how long
Once a day should be too! And yes, you can pump after feeding your baby, if you’re nursing too!
I’m gonna try this tonight for the first time and continue for a week. I also plan on doubling my water and powerade intake, buy oatmeal cookies, and maybe some brewers yeast supplements. I really want to get my supply greater than 1 oz per boob per pump!
Babygirl is currently 2 weeks old and my milk just started a week ago.
Hi . So if I’m understanding this right…. For example if I pump at 6pm for 20 minutes I would add another hour ? I’m a little confuse ?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Darla! You would make it an hour total. So an extra 40 minutes from the 20 you already do. Does that make sense?
Tonight I tried power pumping for the first time as a suggestion from a coworker. Only my left breast produces anything so here’s hoping this power pump thing works for one breast! As of right now I’m only expressing 1.5-2 ounces at a time. Not nearly enough to sustain my little guy so we have to supplement with formula. I don’t mind supplementing but I would love to not have to. Sadly I don’t think that will ever be an option. But I have come to accept that any breast milk that I am able to give him is much better than no breast milk at all. Fingers crossed that power pumping will help me give him a little more!
I hope it works! Good luck!
My LO is 8 weeks and I have to pump 35-40 minutes to get only about 1.5-2 oz. It takes at least 15 min for anything to come out. So should I still just do 1 hour of power pumping? Or longer since it already takes my a long time to get any milk? Thank you! It would be so amazing if this worked.
Hi Lane. I think it was like 3-4 days to seeing results; one week after I began, my supply was OK again and I was able to drop the power pumps. Hope it works for you!
This is so helpful! I recently started exclusively pumping as I was having a lot of anxiety over not knowing how much milk my little one was getting from the boob. Turns out my supply was low and he wasn’t getting enough! I’m going to see if the power pumping helps!
My production tanked after getting my first period since delivering and because I was putting such large gaps between pumps. Along with making sure I pumped every 4 hours and frequent nursing, “Healthy nursing tea” has absolutely made my production come back to what it was when I was first engorged.
What is healthy nursing tea?
I power pumped for the first time in January when my supply unexpectedly tanked (after 10 months of a great oversupply). It was easier than I thought it’d be, though a bit hard on my boobs. (I made it the next-to-last session of the night, though, so they were able to heal up overnight) It did work for me, and I was able to go back to my normal pumping schedule the following week with a supply that had mostly righted itself.
That’s great!
This is my experience extactly! I’ve had an oversupply for 10 months, then a fast drop off. How many days did you power pump in the evening before you saw the increase in milk?