Pumping woes

ribbicks · July 2011

Agh! I'm losing most of the milk that I pump on my left side! It just dribbles down and now my nightgown is wet! I don't get very much on that side anyway (or total for that matter) and I need to get every last drop! Agh! I don't notice it not suctioning correctly, I wonder what is going on!

GracieMaeLovey · July 2011

Wait- as you were pumping you were losing it? Were the pieces all in place? It poses a question I've thinking about lately- have you replaced parts recently? I heard you ought to every three months- we're going on five months in the not too distant future and I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it's performance. I'm sorry- I hope you figure it out- I'd be upset, too.

Aviee · July 2011

Mine does that when my breasts aren't full. If they're floppy and I pump (say, after a feeding) then I get a lot running down me from when the suction lets up. I just have to hold it closer to me.

boggs507 · July 2011

Have you tried bigger shields?

ribbicks · July 2011

New pump and it happened with my old too but not as much.

Maybe that boob is just funny? I'm having a hard time with my supply so I never feel really engorged so that might be part of it? I'll try pushing it closer, lol. I can't pump very much and I need that liquid gold! So frustrating!

ribbicks · July 2011

You know what.... I think I know (duh!) I had breast reduction surgery a few years back and have a scar that runs down from my nipple. Anyways, the scar on the left is diff from the right so I bet that's why. Can you buy bigger shields for Medela pumps? Maybe that will work. I can't believe I didn't put two and two together.... I guess bc I don't have issues losing milk on my right! I feel like such a ditz now!

christyp80 · July 2011

I bet the scar does have something to do with it! You should definitely look into buying the correct size flange.

I was also just going to suggest that you should make sure your bra or shirt isn't caught up under the flange, and that the pieces are in good condition. I have an Ameda, so I'm not sure what the pump parts look like on yours, but one time I noticed that I wasn't getting good suction on one side, and it turned out that one of the rubbery pieces had a tiny tear in it. I replaced it with an extra, and it was back to normal.