Power pumping

Power pumping is an expressing strategy designed to increase breastmilk supply by replicating the pattern of cluster feeding. Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Trust defines it as "a technique that mimics 'cluster feeding', which is when a baby has lots of feeds in a short period of time." By stimulating the breasts more frequently over a condensed period, power pumping signals the body to produce more milk.

What is the technique for power pumping?

Alder Hey NHS Trust describes a common schedule: pump for 20 minutes, take a 10-minute break, pump for 10 minutes, take a 10-minute break, then pump for a further 10 minutes — making approximately one hour in total. The Breastfeeding Network describes a similar approach: "Power Pumping involves one full expressing session, followed by several short sessions of 5–10 minutes expressing, with 10 minutes rest breaks in between." Alder Hey NHS Trust notes there are "no hard or fast rules to it, so do what suits you."

How long should power pumping continue?

Alder Hey NHS Trust recommends doing one power pumping session per day and advises that "most parents see a change in milk supply in a few days," though it may be 2–3 days before results are evident. The Trust suggests aiming to continue for at least a week. It notes: "Ideally doing this for an hour would work best, but do whatever you can."

When is power pumping used?

Power pumping is used when a parent is concerned about low milk supply. The Breastfeeding Network notes it may be appropriate when expressing at the standard frequency of 8 times in 24 hours is not fully meeting a baby's requirements. Alder Hey NHS Trust advises using it when "struggling with your milk supply."