What is “power pumping?”
Power pumping involves pumping on and off for an hour!
This helps mimic what a baby would be doing at the breast if they were demanding more milk, especially during a growth spurt: cluster feeding. It doesn’t matter how much you pump during this time, what matters is that you are providing this extra stimulation and telling your body that more milk is being demanded than is being supplied. If you are struggling with milk supply, you can try adding in a power pumping session daily to help boost supply and tell your body you are demanding more!
How to power pump:
pump normally for 20 minutes
turn the pump off for 10 minutes (leave the pump in place, just turn the machine off)
turn it back on for 10 minutes
off again for 10 minutes
on for 10
and you’re done!
I personally like to add in the power pumping session in the evening - typically after baby has gone to bed. I set up my pump, get comfy on the couch with my favorite show and a yummy snack - and get to pumping! You can also add this session in the morning, when supply is typically highest.
Again, remember: it doesn’t matter HOW MUCH you pump when power pumping! What matters is the STIMULATION you are providing to help boost your supply!
A change in your supply won’t happen overnight, it can take DAYS to see a change in supply after adding in this extra stimulation. Stick with it if you want to see results! You can also do more than one power pumping session each day.
If you are trying to increase your supply, power pumping is just a portion of what you can be doing! Check out my post on How to Increase Supply if you’re looking for more supply increasing recommendations!
