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EBF -- difficult pumping

4realyo4realyo
in Breastfeeding

I ebf & I pump once a day in the morning while LO nurses (she only nurses one boob, so I pump the other one since she sttn). My left boob doesnt ever seem to want to give up the milk, so I always pump the right one at this time. LO very rarely gets a bottle (maybe one or two a month) except I had to go away for work for 2 days last week. She did great takin the bottle, but I had a horrible time pumping. I even bought all new replacement parts for my pump (Ameda) just in case that was an issue, but it didnt seem to help. My boobs were Very engorged and the milk just wouldnt come out. I would pump for almost a whole hour (typically I only pump about 15 min in the mornings) and massage, hot compress, look at pics of LO and still barely anything would come out. The best I could do was at night, hand express in a hot shower to try to get some relief because it became so painful. I was never happier to get home & nurse!

Anyways - I just found I need to travel again for 2 days next month and I am dreading the pumping. Any tips ?

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Re: EBF -- difficult pumping

  • madhatter2003madhatter2003
    It sounds like you weren't getting a let down. You probably do better pumping while nursing since your body is already 'let down'....it does take time to learn to pump for some women but the only other thing I could think to do would be hand express until you get a let down and then start pumping. Did you play with the speed/suction to see if that helped get things flowing?
    My two PCOS miracles! Lilypie Kids Birthday tickersLilypie Kids Birthday tickers
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  • bride2be79bride2be79

    It sounds like you were doing everything right as far as pumping goes.  Take your pump to the lactation department at your local hospital (if they have one) or find a certified LC and see if they can test your pump for you.  Evidently, it is possible to have a pump that seems to be working fine but when an LC tests it with a little meter it doesn't have enough suction to actually get any milk out (this happened to a girl in my lactation support group).  Also, you may want to try pumping once a day and letting DH give Lo a bottle.  I know pumping is a pain but it would be a good way to get your body used to it (and figure out before you go out of town if you need a new pump or whatever) and it's a good way for DH to bond with baby.  My DH loves to give DD a bottle. 

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