[deleted account] ( 17 moms have responded )
I am exclusively breastfeeding my 5 week old daughter. I bought a Medela hand pump and have been trying to pump, but I can't seem to get more than an ounce out at a time. It takes about 15 mins to get that one ounce and no matter how long i keep pumping for i can't get any more milk out.
My daughter is still eating for 45 mins at a time and during the day about every hour-2hours apart. she will only eat from one breast at a time, if i try to switch her she will scream and not latch on to the other breast. so i just let her have her feed off the one and she falls off and is happy when shes done. the last feed at night she eats for an hour straight then sleeps for 5-6 hours without waking up to eat again. so im thinking if shes sleeping for that long i don't think its a lack of milk or else she would wake up sooner hungry. and when she does wake up after those 5-6 hours, shes not even crying, just making noise. so i dont understand why i cant get more than an ounce of milk out at a time while im pumping! does anyone know why this is and what i can do to help pump more at a time?
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Tia Melissa - posted on 02/08/2011
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Some women are naturally pump resistant. I have an ample supply and my kids can get it out like THAT! Give me a pump and I get nothing. Unless I nurse on one side and pump on the other. All my kids have gone through infancy with the occasional sound of the pump. It was the only way I was able to build an emergency supply.
Courtney - posted on 02/14/2009
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I can never feel a letdown. Have you tried pumping the side you are not nursing on at the same time as your other side is used for nursing or right before. Also, it will get easier. If you are going to be pumping pretty often, I would suggest the Medela Swing pump. It is electric and I tried 7 pumps before this one worked. It is wonderful. For the first 2 months, I only got an ounce at a time, but eventually it turned to 2-4 ounces. I have nursed 2 children and both up to a year old. I had days even long into nursing where I only got 1 ounce. So hang in there and good luck.
Danielle - posted on 02/12/2009
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the baby is only five weeks old. she probably only can handle an ounce at a time in her little belly. Breastfeeding is supply and demand. the more she demands to eat the more milk your body will make. if you want to increase your supply i'd wait about 30 minutes AFTER your baby nurses and pump for about 15 minutes.
But you have to rest for about 30 minutes in between pumping and feedings. So I think it's too soon to pump for a five week old. You shouldn't really pump until she's closer to three months. Just nurse her often and on her demand and you'll make more milk.
When my son was five weeks he ate an ounce every feeding. I nursed him on demand about every 45 minutes to an hour. by the time he was 3 months i was pumping and nursing 8 ounces each feeding. Just keep it up and don't give up. Your baby will bring more milk when she's hungry for it.
Janice - posted on 02/08/2011
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First of all I completely disagree with others about hand pump vs.electric. I have had both and the hand pump was just as efficient. the only difference was that with the electric one I could do both sides at once. Anyways, like others said pumping is not nearly as efficient as your baby. When my supply started to regulate at 4 mo. I was no longer able to pump more than a 1/2 ounce each side. If you are going to be at home I wouldn't stress trying to get a huge extra supply. Of course if you are going back to work soon than it is a major problem. another note (idk if anyone else responded about this) but your daughter is smart ;) to only nurse on 1 side per session. Milk changes as babies feed starting with a low calorie thin milk and progressing to a thicker high fat milk called hind milk. So although it used to be taught that you feed on bothsides per session now it is recommended to just feed on 1 side and switch for the next feeding.
J - posted on 10/30/2014
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Seems like your not getting your milk to letdown. Relax! Relax! Relax!!