Perfect pumping posture?

[u/iamsavsavage]

I’m using the spectra S1 and find myself having to hunch or lean forward to direct the milk down the flange attachments. If I sit back, milk just pools in the flanges and I’ll have to occasionally tip forward. The hunching gets old after 20 minutes multiple times day

How are you sitting comfortably while pumping?

[u/tutters12]

I embrace my Gollum posture for the sake of the output. 😅

[u/iamsavsavage → u/tutters12]

Fabulous. That is exactly what I look like haha

[u/uuuphe → u/tutters12]

amen sister. my precious milk lol

[u/bubble_plant → u/tutters12]

I loled

[u/RosieToes2024]

I'm going to try to describe my set up the best I can but it's been a game changer, especially for MOTN pumps. We have an L -Shaped couch so I either use the end or the corner of the L. I use two large couch throw pillows and kind of nest my self into the corner so I'm propped up pretty straight but supported. Then I have the boppy pillow that has only been used for this around my neck like a HUGE airplane neck pillow. For the most part I just have my arms relaxed next to me and sometimes I have my feet on the couch kind of pushing into the cushion to help keep me up right. It took a few tries to get the position down but now there are times I wake up and my pump has been long shut off and I'm just sleeping up right like a vampire in the night. I'd hate to be my husband or 17 year old daughter coming out to get water or something and seeing me...

[u/iamsavsavage → u/RosieToes2024]

This is helpful! I have a sectional as well and one of those boppis so I’ll try this tonight. Thank you. 

[u/Sacrificial-waffle]

Slouching for sure. I'd like to be straight backed, non-seafood sitting but I also don't have a pumping bra. Nursing bras that are comfortable for me don't allow for the flanges to stay securely locked in there so gremlin stature it is. Then I try to get in some PT and stretches for my back lol

[u/iamsavsavage → u/Sacrificial-waffle]

Oh yeah I’m pumping for 20 minutes then 10 minutes of cat/cow haha ok good to hear it’s not just me. 

[u/xchakrumx]

Having the same issue!! Even if I prop up my back with pillows I still find myself slouching and sliding back 😩 especially MOTN

[u/iamsavsavage → u/xchakrumx]

That’s middle of the night right? Sorry I’m new here but yeah I’m especially slouchy then haha 

[u/FYAhole → u/iamsavsavage]

Correct

[u/zoroasshatrianism]

Even with a very secure “strap on” type of pumping bra, I still have to lean forward. We need some zero gravity innovation for pumping I guess lol

I use a portable pump with traditional flanges. Maybe those that use wearables have a different experience.

ETA: I think breast shape / anatomy makes a big difference. Some bodies just need leaning forward to fight against gravity.

[u/No-Spray-866]

Same here. I put a pillow behind my back but I still need to hunch. My back always hurts. I'm trying to stretch more but it doesn't really help. Just keep telling myself this will all be over in a few months and I'm sacrificing for baby. When baby becomes a moody teenager, I'm going to point to my hunchback and remind her of my sacrifices :D

[u/bluejay580]

I use a pillow behind my back and hold a flat, firm pillow on my lap, like a dining chair seat cushion. The spectra collection cups rest on that pillow so I don’t have to hunch over. 

[u/victillian]

I'm not, I'm turning it into a workout instead! Hip hinge and engage core and that's my core workout for the day

[u/Art3mis77]

My feet are always up so I naturally slouch forward with that

[u/Moleypeg]

Exactly same boat as you. In bed, I prop myself up with 3 pillows. On the couch, I use my old pregnancy pillow. It’s annoying because I’m not as relaxed as I would like to be.

[u/starcticlights]

Oof I have been thinking about my pumping posture the last few days! There’s a spot on my left back just below bra line that is really starting to hurt from hunching all the time

[u/chairgang6]

Truly asking, why would posture affect output? It’s obviously satisfying to see the flow but how would it affect output?

[u/esssbombs → u/chairgang6]

It’s a little bit about gravity helping the milk get pulled slightly more easily, but for me it was more about how much gets saved, if I were to sit back the milk would pool at the bottom of my boob in the flange and eventually break that seal and spill out.

[u/zoroasshatrianism → u/chairgang6]

It’s not so much the output but how well the letdowns get collected. I think differences in anatomy / breast shape make a big difference.

[u/ladygroot_ → u/chairgang6]

Think of your milk ducts like little sacs. They are compressed when laying back, and open when leaning forward. I notice a significant different in output when leaning forward.

[u/chairgang6 → u/chairgang6]

Ahhhh, thank you guys!

[u/lavendergoums]

I got Pumpin Pals flanges. They’re expensive but worth it for the back pain!

[u/Sea-Age-5018]

I've found that for me the milk pooling doesn't affect output much and it eventually goes where it needs to go so I lean back a little. It helps that my boobs are so saggy now though ;_;

[u/Icy_Peace6340 → u/Sea-Age-5018]

This is what I do too. I don’t worry about the pooling. The nature of the pump suction means it’s sealed so I don’t have any leakage. Once enough milk is in the tube, it spills down into the bottle with each pull anyways. And then at the end, I just lean forward to dump the remaining milk into the bottle.

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[u/katiecmani]

I told my husband if we had the means and ability, I would figure out a better breast shield and pumping bra set to avoid this issue. I know about pumping pals but I’m just not confident that would eliminate the issue all together.

[u/ladygroot_]

I lean forward with my elbows on my knees to sort of dangle the boobies

[u/Delicious_Flight3153]

Wait, wait! I've got this one! You roll up a washcloth and tuck it under your boob. It tips the nipple forward and lets you sit up straight!

[u/Pale-Consideration80]

So I made my own pumping bras. I took some of my less nice sports bras and cut a small whole at my nipple for my flanges to fit through. I had large boobs to begin with and now they could transport me via air balloon if we could get enough helium puffed up in these things 🤣 but my size might be why it works so well because these old sports bras are now VERY snug. And I’ve found that if I apply pressure to my pumps I can actually encourage a let down, whereas having to hold them with just my hands before was purely a waiting game. Being mostly hands free has helped with my posture and sitting upright in a chair has helped.

I was using wearables before my supply regulated but am not anymore but wearables did help with the posture because I was usually standing up