Pump fail :( help - longish

rockdragon

I have been EBF since DD was born Oct. 4th and its been great. At her 2 month appt. she was in the 50th percentile so we have never been concerned about her getting enough to eat. I have known I would be going back to work and I built a little frezzer stash up by pumping in the morning after DD first feeding. This usually gives me 3-6 oz. most commonly 4 oz.

I have a medela pump in style that I got used from my sister. I replaced all the parts and tubing when  I got it. There is a vacuum control on the front that is broken and stuck on the highest setting.

I went back to work today and took my trusty pump with me. I feed DD before I left this morning at 5 am. She ate 4 oz. at 9 am. DH brought her to me at lunch at 11:30 and I nursed her then. She ate another 4 oz. at 2 pm and again at 4 pm. I am able to leave work at 4 and be home at 5.

At work I pumped at 9 am and got 5 oz., 4 oz. from one and 1 oz from the other side. I would have pumped at lunch but I nursed instead. I pumped again at 3 pm and only got 1 oz total. She ate 12 oz today and I missed 3 feedings. 

I feel like I'm failing with my pump. I didn't even come close to replacing what she ate and I'm not sure I will be able to. I pumped each side for 15 minutes even if I wasn't getting anything.  I tried looking at photos of DD and surfing the Internet so as not to think about it. I did compressions and those are the only reason I got anything at 3. 

I'm not sure what else I can do. Is it the pump? Would replacing it help? Is it me? Am I not producing enough? I feel like if I missed 3 feedings today I should be full and I am not. Do I need to add more pump sessions, every 2 hours maybe? Should I try taking supplements? So basically I need help and advice and am at a point where I don't know what to do next. Any thoughts are welcome and sorry it was longish. TIA

jlsimon56

I don't see where you missed 3 feedings, seems to me you only missed 1?  

The only way to produce more is to pump or nurse more.  The more you empty the breasts, the more they will produce for you.  

I pump once for each bottle LO gets, plus one more.  At the very least, pump once for each bottle your LO gets.  

If your DH is with your LO during the day, see if he can time her bottles better so she's not getting one at 4pm, and having you arrive home at 5pm.  You should nurse her as soon as you get home.  Can he bring her to you at a different time?

If I were you, I would pump at 8 (or 8:30) instead of 9.  Then again at 10:30.  Nurse at 12:30 or 1.  Pump at 2:30 or 3.  Nurse at 5pm.

WeWearCombatBoots

To me it does sound like the pump needs replaced. The highest setting for me would make me produce less. Mine stays on a lower setting. It needs to be comfortable and the nob being broken would be a big issue for me. I definitely suggest getting a new pump. It needs to be efficient and in good working shape to be successful. I know a lot of people have had issues with supply and came to find out it was the pump.

merrymac999

Hang in there!  My daughter was born on Oct. 18, and this is my 3rd week back to work.  Pumping at work and worrying about your supply is so stressful!  I have a used Lactina, and other than when I first turn on the machine, I always have it on the highest setting.  Unless it's uncomfortable for you, I don't think the pump's the problem.

AmyRI

jlsimon56:

 

The only way to produce more is to pump or nurse more.  The more you empty the breasts, the more they will produce for you.  

I pump once for each bottle LO gets, plus one more.  At the very least, pump once for each bottle your LO gets.  

If your DH is with your LO during the day, see if he can time her bottles better so she's not getting one at 4pm, and having you arrive home at 5pm.  You should nurse her as soon as you get home.  Can he bring her to you at a different time?

If I were you, I would pump at 8 (or 8:30) instead of 9.  Then again at 10:30.  Nurse at 12:30 or 1.  Pump at 2:30 or 3.  Nurse at 5pm.

This. You have to pump more often. Unless you pump every time LO eats, you most likely won't come close. I normally nurse 1 side at a time, but I pump 1 side in the AM, and both sides 2 times, so what would have been 5 feedings that I'm expressing with the pump goes into 4 of LO's bottles during that same time. (I actually used to pump both sides 3 times to keep up before he started solids).

Replacing your pump is also a good idea. Being able to adjust the power to help you get additional letdowns will help increase your pumping output.

walteroliver3

rockdragon:

I went back to work today and took my trusty pump with me. I feed DD before I left this morning at 5 am. She ate 4 oz. at 9 am. 

Does that mean you bottle-fed her in the morning?  I'd suggest definitely nursing her if you're there at 5am.  That's one less feeding to worry about. 

walteroliver3

Sorry, I just re-read this...I'm guessing you must be nursing at 5am.  Ignore me!