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Pumping: Should I pump one side or both? re: dr. visit today

lovemymaddylovemymaddy
in Parenting after a Loss

Went to the dr. this mornig. No yeast or thrush so that's good. However dr. said that my breasts, especially my left one were kinda lumpy from milk being up top. Whoa. When he really pressed on it I had tears in my eyes. He said that it is what is most likely causing my shooting pains.  He mentioned pumping would be a good idea because he wanst LO to stay on one side during a feeding to make sure that my bbs are emptying out as much as they can. He was worried about the hind milk getting left behind and then it causing the lumpiness.  He said that pumping would help.

Well now that I'm home, do you think he meant just pumping the side that she's been eating off of to make sure it's empty, or would you just go ahead and pump on the other side as well (pump them both) and figure that it can't hurt anything and just save that milk? What do you think?  Would pumping on the breast she hadn't eaten off of just confuse things even more if he says to stick to one breast during a feeding?

Help please!   :)

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Re: Pumping: Should I pump one side or both? re: dr. visit today

  • VanessaRae9608VanessaRae9608
    Maybe you could just try feeding on one side only and see if you even need to pump. I never switch sides cause I have always had a large supply and in the beginning when I did this - I would just pump the OTHER side he fed on for a few minutes to relieve the engorgement and soon my bb's learned not to make so much. If you pump a TON and empty that other side too you will just produce more which wont help your supply situation. Does that make sense?
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  • jeffraejeffrae member
    I would pump both sides.  make sure you are not engorged - and then have too much for lo to take.
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  • jen-dalejen-dale member
    I pump the same side she fed on when she's done. I don't have to ever switch sides when she eats and usually get 1/2 or 1 oz pumped when she's done feeding. Saving that milk would be good because it is probably hind milk and extra good for LO.
    Oct 2008 m/c #1 5 weeks, May 2009 m/c #2 4w5d. BFP 6/23/09 EDD 3/8/10!
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  • TheEnglishgirlTheEnglishgirl

    You question makes sense. The whole pumping thing is so confusing isn't it! 

    I do agree with the Dr sounds like you are getting blocked ducts. I get them and they do come with the sharp pains you describe.

    I think I would just pump off the breast that she has fed off and save the milk. If you pump both you are creating an "extra feed" and therefore increasing your supply past what M needs. This way, the none fed/pumped breast is full and ready for the next feed.

    Can you call the LC center you visited to make sure? 

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  • PurpleK26PurpleK26 member

    I think, if you can manage the pain, pump them both. All it can do is really help you build up a stash! And trust me... you don't want to blame yourself later if you loose your supply because you let your boobs 'rest' too much!

    Warm pads help let down, and there's a chance that those lumps could be fat in your milk (not a bad thing)... and what happens when fat gets warm? It 'melts' more and can flow.

    Massaging your boobs can really help too. If you can pump hands free, it works best to massage the lumps while you pump.

    Also (a tip from my LC) If you point Maddy's nose or the pump flanges in the direction of the lumps, she or the pump will pull the milk from those areas.

    When I pump, I always finish off by pointing the flanges to the left, right, top and bottom for at least a minute each. I can be getting nothing and assume I'm empty, but when I do that and pull from those separate directions, I always get a little more. 

    Good luck, I hope your boobies feel better soon! 

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