Power Pumping: What is it?

You may have seen a term called power pumping circulating around your mom group, or maybe you were recommended by your lactation consultant to power pump! Whatever the reason, you are now looking for more quick information to keep you going in the right direction at an early morning feed. Let’s get into it!

***DISCLAIMER: This method of pumping does NOT replace a feed nor a pumping session, and should be used WHILE consulting with an IBCLC.***

What is power pumping?

Power pumping is a strategy where a parent continually drains the breast during their first milk ejection reflex (or, what’s commonly known as let-down). This strategy mirrors cluster feeding, which is a time period when the baby frequently removed milk from the breast in small time periods during a growth spurt or natural dip in supply. Either scenario, whether power-pumping or cluster feeding, triggers the body to make more milk which is the goal here!

However, this process is not likely to yield immediate results. This routine should be followed 3-5 days for one to two hours per day. Please consult your IBCLC for further recommendations! Power pumping should be done either after a feeding session, or a pumping session.

Power pumping can be done in several different time intervals, however, we’ll list the most common recommendations here:

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  • Pump for 20 minutes

  • Rest for 10 minutes

  • Pump for 10 minutes

  • Rest for 10 minutes

  • Pump for 10 minutes

Or,

  • Pump for 10 minutes

  • Rest for 10 minutes

  • Pump for 10 minutes

  • Rest for 10 minutes

  • Pump for 10 minutes

Tip for effective power pumping 

  • Compress or massage your breast/chest while pumping

    • using your thumb and index finger for a C-shape, place the index finger under the breast and the thumb on top of the breast and apply gentle pressure and stimulation in a pulsating pattern.

  • Use warm flanges

    • Use a flange warmer or place a warm, moist cloth around the flanges prior to pumping. (this will both increase the seal or your flanges to your breast and help your initiate let down) 

  • Use a hands-free pumping bra. Obviously, from reading the above tips, you might need your hands to do those things or to also maybe have a cup of tea while pumping! The Breastfeeding Center offers several different pumping bra options, including the simple wishes bustier or the Rumina crossover for starters!

  • Lastly,  try to relax while power pumping.  Watch a favorite show or listen to music.  When not actually pumping, do skin-to-skin with your baby.  Involve other members of your family in routines that make things easier for you, such as cleaning pump parts, skin to skin,  cooking warm meals, and keeping your cup filled with water. Your mental capacity is just as important as your pumping strategy! Support during this time can really help.


written by Angel Yarbor
InfoAngel YarborCLINICAL, power pumping, breastfeeding, breastfeeding center