Help with pumping?

Thinkerbelle80 · February 2012

Pumping is so weird. I can't figure it out. First of all, my nipples are soo long and extended on that pump and after I'm done, they are huge and they hurt much more than when I'm breastfeeding.

Second, it is so difficult because I can't lean back at all I almost feel like I need to lean forward because the breastmilk seems to leak into the flange instead of the bottle. This makes it so difficult to sit comfortably. How do you all find a comfortable position while pumping?

Third, I have to hold the flanges the whole time which makes it difficult to turn the pump on or off or make it stronger. If I even move around, the suction will break a little which is annoying. I'm afraid of letting go and spilling my milk everywhere. How do you all deal with this issue?

Fourth, yesterday and today, I pumped for half an hour each and I only got two ounces of milk from my left boob and one ounce from my right boob. I thought it was only supposed to take ten minutes with an electric double pump. How can I be pumping for a half hour and only get one ounce from the right boob? How can I get more milk?

I'm worried that maybe my baby isn't getting enough if that's all I get after half an hour of pumping. She's gaining weight fine but she does nurse for at least an hour every time I nurse her and she eats every two to three hours. Is it because my boobs aren't producing enough that it takes her so long?

leannehjohnston · February 2012

I had the same trouble with the pump for the first week or so that I was pumping. I found that pumping right after getting up for the day (which these days is like 9am or so, after a 6am and a 9am feeding) is the best time to get the most milk. In the beginning I'd get an ounce or two and now I'm getting 4-5 ounces after about 3 weeks of consistency. I have to hold them and lean forward too, so I don't have solutions for those problems, but my advice on the amount is to just keep up the good work! Your baby will get the milk she needs. Your body will learn to make more so you can pump, it just takes a little while.

danaw421@gmail.com · February 2012

I bought a Medela bustier. It is like a strapless sports bra with holes cut out at the nipples. You just place the shields on through the bra and it holds them on. It is lets you pump hands free!

danaw421@gmail.com · February 2012

I bought a Medela bustier. It is like a strapless sports bra with holes cut out at the nipples. You just place the shields on through the bra and it holds them on. It lets you pump hands free!

Brit's Luna154 · February 2012

I have to pump for 30 minutes also to get a decent amount of milk (which for me isn't much ~ 5 oz total on my "biggest" pump of the day). I feel your frustration. At first I was only getting 1.5 oz total in 30 minutes. Really bad. I was not cut out to be a dairy cow.

I have this pumping bra. I like that it has straps instead of the Medela one that does not. It allows me to pump while cooking dinner or pump in the morning while I do my hair and makeup - a huge time savings! I don't think a strapless one would feel sturdy enough to do that with.

A few other thoughts, I seem to get more milk in general if I am consistent with when I pump and if I drink water while I do it.

GeekMom · February 2012

I use this little quirky system and olive oil on my nipples! HTH!

Thinkerbelle80 · February 2012

Please tell me: Even with that bra on, how on earth do you cook while pumping? It seems you would still have to stay relatively straight and not move too much so that the suction stays tight and the milk doesn't go backwards. Also, do you put the pump in a backpack or bag that you carry around or do you just set it on the counter and stay in one place? Do you have to use battery power instead of plugging it in and if so, how long does that last?

Brit's Luna154 · February 2012

The bra holds the flanges on tightly, so they stay put. I have to tend to bend at the knees if I am doing things like putting dishes in the bottom of the dishwasher, but for most cooking activities it is fine. The bra holds the flanges tight enough that even if they fill with milk, it does not leak out, I just have to tip forward to drain it into the bottles.

My pump is the Medela Freestyle. I clip the belt hook to the front of the bra and wear it between the two bottles. I'm sure that it is a sight to behold! Haha. It works like a charm though. I pumped while blow drying my hair this AM.

ETA: On work days I charge the pump overnight pump at least 5 times (~30 mins each) before pluging it in again the next night. I'm not sure how many more sessions I could get out of the battery, probably one or two more.

JWSchwarz · February 2012

I could have written your post!

Pumping is an art, I'm sure you will start to get more. Also, if you are pumping within an hour of feeding or after several cluster feeds than it would make sense not to have anything left! I think to really have a good idea what you are producing you need to wait about 3 hours from the previous feeding and then feed your baby whatever you pump (so you don't steal their milk).

Thinkerbelle80 · February 2012

I wish I could wait three hours! She never waits three hours between feedings! I'm lucky if I get fifteen minutes to half an hour. It is an all day all you can eat buffet over here.

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