Pumping problems! Help me!

Lara - posted on 05/27/2009

rent a medela symphony pump and get a larger breast shield. try pumping every 3-4 hours instead of every 2 hours, you'll pump more milk.

Lara - posted on 05/27/2009

rent a medela symphony pump and get a larger breast shield. try pumping every 3-4 hours instead of every 2 hours, you'll pump more milk.

Beth - posted on 05/27/2009

Are you letting your baby suck on you breast too ? You need to baby to suck on your breast to stimulate your milk production. If you just pump and no sucking by your baby your milk production will decrease. I have heard eating papaya will help getting more milk too. My mom used to make me papaya fish soup after I gave birth to both my daughters to get the milk out. I breast feed both girls for 13-14 months.

Corinne - posted on 05/27/2009

I am exclusively pumping and give my baby expressed breast milk in a bottle. I have found that I cannot produce as much if I am not relaxed or have not had enough water during the day. I have an electric double pump where I can set the suction strength. I only pump 3 times a day, but get about 10 ounces at each pump. I took fenugreek supplements for a while to increase my production, as well as ate oatmeal in the mornings. I have since dropped both and my supply hasn't gone down. Good luck!

Carmen - posted on 05/27/2009

She falls asleep everytime I try then she gets really frustrated when she wakes up and won't latch on.

Jay - posted on 05/27/2009

You should first take you mind off of the whole situation, you need to relax, yes your baby needs the milk, but even the slightest change in your life can change the taste of your milk too.

I've read everything the other mothers suggested, and my only comment is, when in doubt, go old fashioned.

I breast fed my know 2 1/2 yr daughter for the full two years.....when I expressed, I HAND PUMPED, I controlled my pressure, and I even found that after I was in a routine, when pumping one side the other would automatically let down, so I manueverd a way to balance a bottle under each breast. There is also an organic tea called Mothers milk, it can be drunk with camomile, to calm you and aid in the lactation.

Rox-Anne - posted on 05/27/2009

I've been pumping exclusively since my baby is born, My daughter was hospitalized at birth (for 9 weeks) and was not able to breastfeed but I really wanted her to get breastmilk so I pumped at the hospital (for 9 weeks) and they froze the milk for me.



When I got home I continued to pump but I had a really crapy pump...I only got 2-3oz per pump too and it would take like 45 minutes to express the milk...so I decided to buy a medela hospital grade pump (cost me $350) but it has been sooo worth it (worth my time and sanity!)



Obviously the 2-3oz was not enough for my baby and I was getting very frustrated and was going to give up but I went to see the doctor and he prescribed me this med (Donperadon) which increases your milk supply.



My baby is now 9.5 months and I am still pumping and my dauther is still getting breastmilk...hopefully she will be will be switched to Homo milk in the next month which at that point I can stop pumping.



So I suggest either a better pump if you plan on pumping for a while and asking the doctor for that med that increases your milk supply.



GOOD LUCK!!!

Carmen - posted on 05/27/2009

I've packed up my old pump! Pretty excited the company is taking it back. I started using the Medela Freestyle last night! I've only been getting 2oz with both sides, I've been dual pumping b/c I've heard it produces prolactin witch is supposed to aid in the let down and milk production. I've been double pumping since I read that it helps about two weeks ago. I wasn't pumping at night and would be able to get 3-4 and sometimes 5oz in the morning after I woke up but then it would slowly drop off throughout the day. Since last night I have been consistently pumping every four hours. I am now going to start every two to see if that helps. I am going to contact our local lactation nurse and see if she can give me any pointers. Any other advice would be greately appreciated.

Justine - posted on 05/26/2009

sometimes it is the pump. I had no trouble with an Avent Isis IQ (if you can get there where you live) - it was fabulous, but then I tried another pump later & couldn't get a drop.

good luck.

Beverley - posted on 05/26/2009

Wow you seem like you are having the exact same problems I had. Ok so first question, are you actually expressing 2-3 oz per breast or is it combined ( Individually is actually a good amount/ combined then yes your not producing much )? The other question is if you are pumping both breasts at the same time ? I was using the Medela Swing breast pump and only pumping each breast at a time 15 min per breast or until the flow was slowing. At around 6 weeks I found myself doing the same thing as you and not getting much out of it so I decided to invest in the medela pump in style advanced. The action of the double pumping actually helps you produce more milk but you have to make sure your pumping at regular intervals every 2/3 hours, still keep up your fluid intake, and eat well obviously. Try to get as much rest as you can because that also has a hand in your milk production.
Long story short, I found the best bet was to buy medela pump that allowed for double pumping. I know these things are expensive but if feeding your baby your milk is important to you it's a worthwhile cost and trust me it's still cheaper in the long run then going on formula.
Best of luck I know it's tricky and I hope it all works out for you.

Libby - posted on 05/26/2009

Why are you pumping so much? Do you plan on pumping that much for awhile? If so, invenst in a good electric pump. Perhaps even see if the hospital where you delivered will rent you one. That way you could try it out without buying it. My son was in the NICU after he was born for 6 weeks. Within a couple weeks (at the most) I was pumping close to 8 ounces on each side. But I am not small chested, so not sure if that has anything to do with it. Anyway, I definetly think you should try an electric pump. It IS worth it if you need to pump a lot. I bought one with my 1st son and used it when I was at work. Then lent it to a friend. Then I used it for my 2nd son (he was the one in the hospital). It pretty much died out after that, but it was worth the money in the long run. It wasn't the most expensive pump made by Medela, but it was about $200 at the time (7 years ago). But I think a good pump will last you if you plan on having more or can hand it down to some one (who can buy their own supplies for it). Good luck!

Diana - posted on 05/26/2009

My pediatrician always told me to have 1 glass of red wine to help me relax. Also try a warm compress prior to. If it gets real bad, you can try a drug called "Reglan" it's not FDA approved for "let-down", but it does help with "let-down". Talk to your OB/GYN, as you can only get it through a doctor. Myself and my friend were put on it for the same reasons... it did help. You only go on it for about 3 weeks. (No harm to the baby!)

Sarah - posted on 05/26/2009

I had a hard time as well for a while. I use the Medela Pump in Style and I LOVE IT! The best thing you can do for yourself is stay relaxed. Working yourself up can actually have an impact on your let down. You can also try a warm shower. The warm water also initiated let down. Best of luck, you're doing a wonderful thing for your baby!

Jenifer - posted on 05/26/2009

I think 2-3 oz per session is a little low, but still within the normal range. Is this on top of breastfeeding, or are you exclusively pumping? i'll second the recommendation of a Medela double electric pump - they're worth the investment.

Dawn - posted on 05/26/2009

I agree with Stasha, you can also contact you ob/gyn or the hospital for a lactation person to come and check things out. Also, if you are stressed you can reduce the amout you are getting too. I had this problem. It took about 2-3 months before I had enough milk for my daughter that I didn't have to give her formula too. Good luck.

Stasha - posted on 05/26/2009

You should contact a lactation consultant in your area!! (http://www.llli.org/) I'm sure they could meet with you, check out your pump, see what is going wrong for you! Are you pumping on both sides? Are you relaxed? If you are not relaxed, it can be hard to get good letdown. Also, if you can begin to letdown first, the electric pump will work better. Also, there are some herbal remedies out there that can help. Nursing Tea and Fenugreek are two things that come to mind immediately. Check out your local health store for either.

Heather - posted on 05/26/2009

I love my Medela pump- I used it through breastfeeding my 2 children. It's expensive, but you can set the suction level and the speed of the pump as well to get the optimal expression.

Khrisma - posted on 05/26/2009

I had a hard time as well even set my timer on my cell to pump every 3 hrs. I rotated between a manual and the medela pump....I actually would fall asleep while pumping. I found the medela was expensive but, worth it. Best of luck to you.