I can't let down for the pump :(

Mereou12

This is SO frustrating. My body does not respond well to the pump, and for the last three times that I've attempted, I've had no let down AT ALL.

I had similar issues with DS1 that were never resolved. Sometimes I had success pumping, sometimes not. I thought things were better this time around, as the first handful of times that I've pumped (which is sporadic, at best) I had great output. But the last three tries -- nada. Drops of BM.

My breasts aren't empty -- I tried to pump this morning shortly an hour or so after he nursed. He had only taken the right side, so the left was plenty full...I was comfy, relaxed, and watching my baby right in front of me....but I just couldn't get a let down.

I've tried compressions. The membranes and valves are brand new. Tubing is connected properly. Does anyone have any ideas on anything that I can do? Or am I just so unlucky that I'll never be able to pump on a regular basis? I'm a SAHM, so it's not a huge deal...but I want to be able to leave my baby with my husband for a few hours here and there....

JDCSKF

Does your pump have a let down feature? I know with #1 I had the same problem, and my older pump had no let down feature. I did successfully hand express with #1 though, have you tried that?

Mereou12

JDCSKF:

Does your pump have a let down feature? I know with #1 I had the same problem, and my older pump had no let down feature. I did successfully hand express with #1 though, have you tried that?

Yep, I've got a Medela PISA. I went through 3 cycles with the let down mode this morning.

I've tried hand expressing, but it just makes my boobs ache from all the manhandling. I guess it's worth a shot again, though.

Red_Dahlia

For some reason, I don't letdown easily when DD is in the room.

Maybe try pumping when she's out of the house with DH?

Also - try taking deep, slow breaths. In through the nose for 7 seconds, hold for a few seconds, then out through the mouth forcefully - wooooosh. Try getting LO's clothes from yesterday (assuming they aren't super dirty) and smelling them. Think of something funny or cute that LO does, or something that you're proud of.

I've also heard taking a few sips of ice cold water helps.

I've also read that some people let down better when they aren't think of LO at all. Watch a movie, read something online, and just kind of zone out.

DD won't wait for a letdown when we nurse, so I have to lay down on my side and relax to get a letdown MYSELF with no pump, and no DD. The above works pretty well for me. You might try doing that and then hooking up to the pump. HTH!!!

Mereou12

Red_Dahlia:

For some reason, I don't letdown easily when DD is in the room.

Maybe try pumping when she's out of the house with DH?

Also - try taking deep, slow breaths. In through the nose for 7 seconds, hold for a few seconds, then out through the mouth forcefully - wooooosh. Try getting LO's clothes from yesterday (assuming they aren't super dirty) and smelling them. Think of something funny or cute that LO does, or something that you're proud of.

I've also heard taking a few sips of ice cold water helps.

I've also read that some people let down better when they aren't think of LO at all. Watch a movie, read something online, and just kind of zone out.

DD won't wait for a letdown when we nurse, so I have to lay down on my side and relax to get a letdown MYSELF with no pump, and no DD. The above works pretty well for me. You might try doing that and then hooking up to the pump. HTH!!!

WE HAVE LET DOWN!

On my third pump of the day, I finally had a bit of success. Only pumped 2.5 oz, but it's better than what I was getting before! I drank some cold water right before I hooked up the pump, sat back, and watched Dear Genevieve on HGTV. I tried not to look down, and tried not to think about pumping (which is SO hard to try not to think about something when it's all you can think about!). When I finally started to zone out, I felt the let down and the milk started to flow.

Thank you SO much for your advice!

cyprissa

Also, you can pump on the side you aren't feeding your LO. That should trigger let down on the pumping side. I do this in the morning before work.

Ella&C

cyprissa:

Also, you can pump on the side you aren't feeding your LO. That should trigger let down on the pumping side. I do this in the morning before work.

This. I sometimes hook the pump on to one side, DS on the other, and let him go to it. I get more milk faster that way! GL!