Full breast, manual expression works, but pump not getting milk out

Courtney - posted on 05/13/2013

im new to brestfeeding having this same issue but the only difference is..my newborn is just 5 days old! iwas engorged and today my breast went down and i WAS getting 2-4oz when now im getting maybe 1oz! so im very worried bc i pump and express with my hand alot through the day yet its as if im not even trying...any advice?

Denise - posted on 05/07/2013

I am experiencing this right now. Were you able to resolve this issue?

Cara - posted on 02/22/2009

i noticed that pumping is so mechanical for me and i have a hard time letting down.  keep pumping though...somethign will eventually come out if you can feel the suction!  someitmes i take lansinoh and rub my nipples...helsp with the let down, then i pump when i can feel that dull ache in my breasts (let down).  also, medela sheilds have a soft section there, sometimes i massage my nipple through that while i pump....also try heating pads right above your breasts or have your significant other massage your neck/shoulder while you pump....helps me!  sometimes my milk doesnt start flowing until like 5 mins of pumping...and i use a manual pump!  good luck!

Carrie - posted on 02/21/2009

Are you feeling stressed out?  Whenever I was worried (or watching every drop that went into the bottles) my output would be waaaaay down.  If I was calm or distracted by something interesting (good magazine, etc.) I would get tip top output.

HAve you been dieting?  Cutting calories can also sabotage your output.  I found that I couldn't diet while pumping or it would kill my supply.  I also tried to drink a LOT of water in the morning before my lunchtime pump and the more I drank the better my output.

I was also gonna suggest changing the membranes, but I guess you already did that.  I tried to change mine about once a month when I was pumping at work five days a week.

If you haven't already - read the book "The Milk Memos"  it's a great read (funny and informative) about working and pumping.

Good luck!

Amy - posted on 02/20/2009

You might try a different size attachment for the pump. (sorry, I can't think what it's called, but the part you put up to your breast). I had very little success pumping with my first baby and then with number 2 a lactation consultant suggested I buy the next size up. Apparently the size that comes with the medela is really too small for a lot of women. Anyway, it made a world of difference!

Ashley - posted on 02/20/2009

Michelle--I had this problem crop up for about a week when I wasn't feeling tip top. I totally freaked when over and over I could only pump 1 ounce (maybe!) when I used to do 3-7 oz depending on time of day. My breasts just didn't like the pump all of the sudden, and refused to let down.
I had to make a huge effort to feel relaxed, and then I started pumping about a minute into each feed, when I'd already let down on both sides. It helped quite a bit!

Keep pumping, even if not much comes out. It cleared up in about a week, and I was back on track. Breathe deeply and think happy thoughts...

Michelle - posted on 02/19/2009

First, thank you ladies for the replies. Second, I've tried all what you suggested andeven contacted Medela about the pump but it appears the pump is working just fine....



Manual while pumping seems to be the only way and quite frankly it hurts but if its what I've got to do. I've also placed a call to my lactation consultant, I'll let you know if she offers any insight...

Allison - posted on 02/18/2009

Maybe it's time to change out the parts (not too familiar with the terms, but there are things inside that help with suction). I've heard these may need to be changed out every few months. Also, do the horns fit well when your are full? Sometimes because you're bigger/fuller, the horns won't get enough suction. Can you get milk if you hand express a bit, then use the pump?

Lolly_loulou - posted on 02/18/2009

i would say its either the pump not fitting correctly or its not positioned correctly. if it hurts when u try to express try taking it off and repositioning it. i used to have trouble expressing if my little girl was not next to me. try having a relaxing hot bath before trying to express. hope everythg works out ok

Sara - posted on 02/18/2009

Maybe the pump isn't stimulating your letdown reflex. You could try manual expression to get the milk going and then attach the pump. Might get messy though.