Pumping. Whats the Problem?

1. Pumping stinks!
2. Babies are much better at getting out the milk.
3. Pumping stinks!

I had a brand new pump and I experienced the same thing. I followed all the advice, but I never got any kind of production off the pump. So I have no advice, but just thought I'd commiserate. Lots of luck.

I was a cow. Moo. My son nursed an average of 20oz from a few weeks to 9mo PER FEEDING (outlier, most don't). I also wet nursed from time to time for a friend who needed surgery.

But I couldn't pump.

I cried. The lactation consultants cried. We tried EVERY machine over several months... because I would have made a KILLER donor I had so much supply, and my supply was so versatile, but it would take an hour to get an ounce, and the tap would turn off. Not a single drop. Didn't matter prenursing, postnursing, expressing, hand pump, fancy schmancy hospital machines, beer... just. couldn't. do. it. But put a mouth to nipple, and whoosh. <rolls eyes>

Some women just can't pump. Some can for 1 or more births, but not for another.

But DO try a variety of pumps before giving up.

It could be as simple as the fact that your baby is not there with you to help your body react naturally. Try keeping a picture of your baby by your pump to look at or listen to her over the monitor or play soft lullaby music to help you relax.
Or try pushing your body to wait until the next feeding. You are going to be going longer stretches as the baby sleeps longer soon so it may be too much to ask your body to pump an extra time in between. You may benefit more from the uninterrupted sleep!

Good luck!
B.
Twin Mom
www.babybearsden.com

I pumped on one side while my son nursed from the other. Then switched. My son was always able to be more milk out even after the pump thought I was done. His suck activated the let down on both sides and I was certain he was getting hind milk when he nursed after the pump.

It may sound odd, but you need to develop a relationship with your pump. Have something that smells like your child, a picture of them, maybe even a recording of a crying baby. Get a quiet, relaxing environment. Eventually, your body will learn to respond to the pump.

I've now exclusively breastfed my twins for nine months and when I was establishing my supply, I used a hospital-grade pump every three hours in addition to nursing on demand. I swear the first couple months, I felt like my chest was always uncovered, but it's been so worth it.

Babies are much more efficient at getting milk out than pumps are to begin with but for some women the internal structure of the breast simply isn't good for pumping. I was never, ever able to pump more than 1/2 ounce in two HOURS even with a hospital grade pump. Even when I was exclusively breastfeeding, I simply could not pump at all. But this was consistent with every time I breastfed. It just didn't matter from baby to baby.

However, you might have more luck hand expressing. Some women can't pump but can express very easily.

Stop stressing - that's one of your probelms. Second, spend the money and get a Medela double breast pump - it rocks and was the only thing I used for my 2 DDs. It has a "let-down phase" that really helps. First DD didn't take the breast at all, until she was 2 weeks old - talk about stress! I did not give up and neither should you. Also, I pumped right after breastfeeding to get every last bit of milk. Good luck!

As well, a picture of your baby will help or something to trigger that instant connection ... and a Lactation Consultant or La Leche League could help you too!

Have your tried massaging them until you feel the let down and then starting to pump? Think about your baby eating while you massage. When you feel the "tingle" of let down, then begin pumping. I also used to massage the other breast while I was pumping the first. That seemed to help the milk flow keep going. I always got less with the pump than my daughter could get on her own. I was still able to get enough for relief with the above methods. I've also heard having a beer while pumping can help but you prob don't want one so late at night?

What pump are you using? It is likely the problem.

Or, it could be you are not relaxed enough during the pumping process. But even when I am super stressed at work and pump in my office, I get about 5-6 ounces out of each breast. I have a super pump!

At 4 weeks you are still getting into your routine. Keep trying and don't give up. And after you tell me what kind of pump you have, I can tell you if that is likely the issue. With three kids who all breastfed, I have used them all!

Also, try pumping a little inbetween feedings other than just at this 10 to 2 stretch. Let your body get used to the pump and it's requirements. This will help you build a stash supply as well.

Good luck. Keep at it! It will work!

Hi Molly. That same thing happened to me too. Babies are just so much better at getting milk from your breast than a machine is. Your body knows the difference. When I used to have to be away from my daughter and I needed to pump, I used to take a picture of her with me and I even recorded her crying to help things along. And those things did help. Even though you're smart enough to know you're baby's not there with you, it still helps to get you in that head space that the reason you're pumping is for her rather than just the monotony of emptying your breasts. Give it a shot and see if it helps!

Good luck!

Hilary

Make sure to follow the instructions exactly as they are written in the pump manual. If I remember, the Medela has a different setting to use until you let-down and then you switch over.

Also keep in mind that milk is generated based on supply-and-demand. Your little one isn't "demanding" a lot yet during the feedings, so you won't be getting alot during the "in between" pumpings! You make what she needs and that's it.

Molly:

I don't know what pump you have or what setting you have it on..

It could be that you have the pump set too low and it's not getting the "suction" it needs in order to get your breasts to believe there is sucking going on...

What I find interesting is that when I was breastfeeding I NEVER had more than one let down per side....that you have several is interesting...

At 4 weeks (CONGRATULATIONS BY THE WAY!!!) you are starting to establish a routine and a pattern...I would set the pump at a higher level and NOT STRESS over the amount that comes out... stress does have a HUGE affect on the amount of milk we produce!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Some suggestions:

Stop stressing and watching the drops while pumping.

Try pumping on one breast while the baby is feeding on the other.

Smell clothes of your baby and look at his/her picture and imagine nursing your baby.

Put a warm washcloth on your breast or take a warm shower and massage your breasts before pumping.

Try pumping in the morning, not at night. You have the least amount of milk at night, when your body is tired.

You can try pumping after feeding your baby. You will already have had the letdown then.

BTW: Why not sleep for 4 hours while the baby is sleeping too, it is an invaluable opportunity to rest!

I totally feel your pain! I pumped round the clock withmy first because he was a preemie and didn't learn to nurse till he was about 12 weeks old BUT I couldn't pump to save my life with my second! It was crazy. My body just wouldn't respond to the pump the second time around.

It's totally different to have baby at the breast than it is to pump. Baby causes the release of hormones and chemicals that the pump won't. When I was pumping I got my period back almost immediately. Just nursing my second it was over 4 months.

A couple of things that did help me the first time around was trying to visualize the milk flowing from my breasts and such. THat would get a let down started. You can also try to mentally relax. That was also a biggie. If I was uptight, I couldn't get much milk at all.

I exclusively pumpled for my last daughter for 11 months, she just could never get ahold of latching on. During one point it seemed that I wasn't producing much at all and one of the settings had gotten switched on the machine or something wasn't attached all the way but once it got fixed everything went back to normal. Good Luck.

I went back to work at 7 weeks and I started pumping at about 5 weeks. I only had one let down per breast. I have a medela pump in style. I love it.
Here is something that sounds really strange, what kind of bra are you wearing. I went from wearing a nursing bra with no underwire and pumping about 8-9oz's to wearing a underwire bra and only getting maybe 4-6oz. I called a lactation consultant and she said that yes bras do have an effect on the let down of milk. She advised I not wear a underwire for another month or so until my supply was very well established. My daughter is now 6 months and I still can't wear an underwire bra. I never even thought it would be that when pumping since my daughter never seemed to be getting less milk. And pumping is learned just like breastfeeding. Each pump is different even if it is the same type and model. Keep at it. Also try phenugreek its herbal and can boost your supply also oatmeal. Good luck and keep with it!!!

I could be the pump, it could also be your body is not quite ready for pumping yet. 4 weeks is still young. I would keep trying.

Does pumping now relieve the discomfort?

My daughter is 11 weeks and sleeping from 11-7. When I wake up at 6:30 the first thing I do is pump with a hand pump and I get about 4 oz. But that is after an 8 hour lapse. I nuse on demand during the day so about every 2-4 hours. So this is a huge difference. When the baby was sleeping like yours for about 4-5 hour stretches I also wasn't getting much from the pump at all. I have the medela so it does the two phases of nursing and I was getting a little upset at not getting more. Then all of a sudden there is was one day.

Keep at it. If in about a month, you're still not getting anything I would probably reccommed a new pump. Mine from my first daughter no longer works, and it was only 2 years ago! It was a cheap one (by comparison, not by cost ) and it barely lasted me through the 6 months I BF my first daughter.

One thing that helped me out was pumping while my son was nursing... I also had one breast that pumped better than the other... He also preferred that side over the other...

Good Luck Momma!

It most definitely could be the pump! I forgot my pump at home when we went of vacation and bought a new one that I couldn't get to work at all and I had been pumping and storing for months (I think it was a playtex brand - awful!!!!). If you are planning on pumping occasionally I recommend the Aveda hand operated pump - it was simple and easy to use and worked. At first it took a little bit of time to get used to, only getting less than an ounce, but once I got used to it, it was wonderful. If you are going to be pumping at work, a double electric pump like the Medela pump in style is the way to go. Again, it takes a little to get used to but once you get the hang of it, and get over feeling like a cow, it will work great. Also - try to relax and not stress, and if you are pumping at night and have a baby monitor turn it up so you can hear your baby sleeping - any baby contact will help with let-down.

Best of luck!!

you get let down, because there is an emotional connection with your baby while you are nursing, but of course there isn't when you pump. try thinking of your baby, or thinking of song that touches your heart in some way, or even having your husband help you... you can sometimes let down when you are touched. since you said it is 10-2 you may not want to go in the baby's room but if you do maybe go in and sneak a quick peek at your baby sleeping it may help also.
L. d