Pumping help please!!

niknak1128

I bought the Avent Isis pump because it is compatible with all of my bottles and because it was reasonable in cost.  I only planned to pump while at home and have a good amount frozen for when I go back to work.  My ped said to start pumping the 2nd week but start introducing the bottle the 3rd week.  

Soo.,. I started pumping this morning.  Not so good.  The lactation specialist that taught my class said it was best to pump after the morning feeding.  So I tried after I fed him this morning and could barely get anything!  Not even an ounce. Is it just a crappy pump? Do you have to build your supply up before you can successfully pump or what?  I'm kind of discouraged because my milk came in so well and I just expected this to be easier.  I really don't want to spend $200 on a pump since I really only planned to pump while at home.  I'm not sure what to do. 

madhatter2003

Did you try taking out the flexible insert things in the shield? I have the manual version of the pump and I found it worked SO much better without those.  It'll take time to get used to pumping. Don't stress if you don't get much right away.

niknak1128

No, I didn't try that but thought about it.  I noticed that milk was getting trapped between the shield and the rest of the pump.  Maybe I'll take that out and try again tomorrow.

madhatter2003

That's the same problem I had. I had a lot more 'suction' once the milk wasn't getting stuck in there.

Also try leaning forward slightly, and have an sleeper or something that your DC wore to smell while pumping to help with the 'let down' reflex.

niknak1128

That's a good idea.  Can I try again today or should I wait until tomorrow?  I'm sure it's stupid but I keep thinking that if I try too much I"m going to waste all my milk and he won't have any left at feeding time. lol  I seriously have no idea what I'm doing!  I have read soo much too and I still feel kind of lost at this.

madhatter2003

Does he have a time of day he sleeps a bit longer? You can always give it another little try just to see how it goes if he takes a longer nap or something in the afternoon. At this point it'll just be stimulating your boobs to create even more supply since he's so little which isn't always a bad thing.  But I'm sure you'll have better luck soon.

 

jeffscutewife

If this isn't too late, I wanted to say to wait an hour after BFing in the morning and then pump. You will then prob still have a couple of hours before you have to BF again (at least 1 hour after pumping is good, longer if possible). This is what works for me.

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Good Luck! ?