Moms who pump - question?

I am pretty much exclusively pumping at this point due to the baby's hospitalization. I am hoping to get her back on the breast, but I'm not going to stress out about it.

When I pump 1 side, the other side immediately starts to leak. I want to double-pump, but have no clue how to, logistically speaking. Do you just hold a shield at both breasts and have someone else turn on the pump? Can I hold 1, attach it at level 1 and then attach the 2nd one and turn up the pressure? Or do I use something to lean on??

HELP! For some reason the thought of double pumping freaks me out, even though pumping itself is going really well.

Thanks!!!!!

Re: Moms who pump - question?

What kind of pump do you have?

I have a Medela PIS Advanced. I pump both breasts at the same time. I have a hand free strapless bra made to hold the shields while I pump so I don't have to hold them.

ETA: I have my let down on both breast at the same time too when I start pumping.

Message edited 10/30/2007 9:06:44 AM.

Re: Moms who pump - question?

It took some getting used to but I finally found a way that worked for me:

I make sure everything is assembled and ready to go. I put the left shield on my left breast and turn the pump on - holding the left with my left hand. Then I immediately put the right one on with my right hand and hold in place.

My pump has an automatic switch over so I just let it go even if my milk has already let down.

When I am done I hold both in my left hand and turn off the pump with my right hand. I removed the tubes from the shields and then take off one at a time...I have baby wipes nearby to clean up.

Re: Moms who pump - question?

You won't mess up the machine or anything. Just put one shield on, turn the pump on and then put the other one on your breast. You will get to the point where you can do it all with no problem. I did the double pump one handedly after just a few weeks. You learn to hold one shield on with your hand and the other one with that same arm.

Re: Moms who pump - question?

Re: Moms who pump - question?

thanks Ang & Lucky!!! For some reason I just couldn't mentally figure it out!!

I'm definitely going to try to double pump today.

Re: Moms who pump - question?

i just got a handsfree bra, b/c it was annoying to hold both. $26.99 cheapest one i found on web and I like how it fits. Breakout Bras is the website

http://www.breakoutbras.com/

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Message edited 10/30/2007 9:17:04 AM.

Re: Moms who pump - question?

I agree with the above posts, you can posiiton one side, turn on the pump and then put the other side on, you will get the hang of it.

I use a hands free bra which makes pumping more relaxing then holding them the whole time. Bra

Someone posted this link for hands free that seems good as well

Re: Moms who pump - question?

Posted by Karen

Posted by smdl

What kind of pump do you have?

I have a Medela PIS Advanced. I pump both breasts at the same time. I have a hand free strapless bra made to hold the shields while I pump so I don't have to hold them.

right now I'm still using the hospital rental - the Medela Lactina. When the rental goes back I want to get the PIS Advanced, too.

The bra sounds exactly like what I need. Where could I get it?

Thanks!!!!

Re: Moms who pump - question?

thank you so much ladies!!!! You guys gave me the confidence to just go for it - and it worked!! Just regaining those 20 minutes every 3 hours is going to be heaven!

I also called a few places and HomeCare America will have the Medela hands-free kit in about 2 days for us. They're about 3 minutes from our house, so DH can run down and pick it up.

I can't thank you guys enough again for all your help!!

Re: Moms who pump - question?

Karen - I pumped for 8 months without a hands free bra, so it is definitly doable. I probably shoudl ahve gottne one but never got around to it. I would do the same as everyone else did, I would place one turn on and then put the toher on.

I am glad it worked out for you, I alwasy double pumped, I could not imagine pumping only one at a time.

Re: Moms who pump - question?

I never had the bra and double pumped at work. If I had to feed the another baby at the same time this would probably be helpful.

I always double pumped too.