Troubleshooting - Pump Isn't working - also a vent and this is long

margauxa1 · November 2010

I went for my regular morning pump session and my pump (I have the medela freestyle handsfree) doesn't seem to be working. It could be that I don't have a lot of supply (doubtful because my chest feels like it weighs 15 llbs and I leaked a little). It felt like there was suction but barely an ounce came out of one side and drops came out of the other. WTF??? I tried squeezing my breasts (I read that in a post below thank-you) and nothing. I let the pump go for at least 15 minutes before giving up.

Does anyone have a freestyle pump and can tell/advise me on how to trouble shoot what is wrong? I swear if everything isn't lined up/snapped in perfectly, the pump won't work or gets clogged which gets milk everywhere. A friend mentioned having to replace her tubing once and I wonder if this might be a problem.

Luckily, DD is at daycare one block away and I'm going to go breastfeed at her next feeding (however I hope I don't start leaking everywhere before that)

Seriously, I hate pumping so much. It takes up so much time out of my work day especially when things go wrong (like today). I wish I just had my baby here to do the job - ha ha ha

thanks for any advice and listening

jerseygirl81 · November 2010

I didn't have a freestyle, so I don't know if any of the parts are the same, but I always checked the valves first - on the PISA they're the white flaps.

angelina477 · November 2010

Pumping is def a PIA! but of course worth it. What I always got wrong was the flange (little white piece of plastic) it never was in all the way. Maybe check that if you haven't already.

hth

IAM4UK · November 2010

When was the last time you changed the membranes on the pump?

margauxa1 · November 2010

Thanks Ladies - Sometimes the little flaps on the membranes get stuck and there is a backup (which is the worst because sometimes I end up smelling like sour milk for the rest of the day because when I unclog it spills on me).

I bought new membranes about a month ago, but have been using both the old and new (and have interchanged the parts) so I don't have to wash them between my two pumps a day.

I haven't bought new breast shields, could this be a problem?

KristenBtobe · November 2010

That stinks! Shouldn't need new shields. I know that Motherhood Express store can test your pump for you. Perhaps a call to Medela would be in order here, I know their customer service is excellent.

futuremrs.inman · November 2010

I have the Freestyle and this happened a couple of times when I was EPing for DS. Most of the time I just didn't have everything snapped on just right but one time I actually did need new tubing. I would always wrap the tubing around the machine and throw it in my bag. Well, I guess the machine hit the tubing just right and made a little slit in the tubing. I was able to tape it and it worked ok until my replacement tubing came from Medela. I would check your tubing if everything else is connected right. If tubing is ok maybe you could take it to a lactation consultant to test it out. I also recommend calling Medela. Like pp said, their customer service is awesome!

margauxa1 · November 2010

It has to be one of the membranes. I just got back from my afternoon pump and pumped 10 ounces (usually what I pump in the morning). I just get so frustrated and obsessed that writing all of this out helped relieve the stress of pumping.

Hopefully, DD's daycare will let me take home a bottle if she didn't drink it (because I breastfed her at lunch) and I won't have to pump anymore today!

Its also good to know that motherhood will test our pumps. Bethany (the LC) works at my pediatrician's office on Wednesdays and I can always make an appointment to see her!

Troubleshooting - Pump Isn't working - also a vent and this is long

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