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Pumping Question (also posted on Breastfeeding)

mdesmond2320mdesmond2320 member
in Working Moms

I have also posted this on the breastfeeding board, but I thought since many of you have to pump more than breastfeed you may have some different suggestions. Thanks! 

When my daughter was born I tried to breastfeed, but due to a number of reasons she was never able to latch correctly.  She was born on 6/4, but the hospital and lactation put me on the pump and said to do that due to her weight (born at 5 lb 14, but dropped to 5 lb 5).  They said when she is bigger I can try again, but that she may not switch.  I would love to breastfeed, but for me it is simply more important that she gets the best food for her.

I have a Medela Pump (which I found is better than the one in the hospital - I was shocked!) and have been able to pump enough most of the time to keep her in breast milk.  However, my breasts are starting to hurt and I am worried that as her size increases I will not be able to keep up with demand.  At the moment I pump every 2 hours for 15 minutes I get between 20 and 40 mls each time.

Does anyone have any suggestions for building up supply or for the pain?  I plan to get lanolin and breast cool compress things today, but will that be enough?

Thank you for your help. 

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Re: Pumping Question (also posted on Breastfeeding)

  • BE2008BE2008
    Bag balm is better than lanolin goes on easier and spreads nicely, promotes healing... Pain is normal for some, but lots of pain is not. Try aftermarket breast shields different shapes.
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  • thedashthedash member
    Can you go see a lactation consultant? I also EP'ed for a few months and while it was miserable in some ways I never found it to be painful. I agree you may have the wrong size shields. My LC helped me select new ones. Also I can't see your ticker because I'm on mobile but if you have been pumping for a while you may be able to pump longer than 15 minutes to get more and then cut down on the number of times per day you pump. I got to a point where I could get a second letdown if I pumped more like 20 to 30 minutes.

    You may also be able to turn down the suction level of your pump. I almost never needed it very high and it did make me sore when it was turned up.

    Do you visit kellymom.com? I found a lot if help there when I was BF'ing and pumping.

    ETA sorry! I missed that your LO is only 5 days old. It takes a long time to build up supply when you are EP'ing. But the pain is not normal so call a LC ASAP and see if you can change shields, suction, etc. Your hospital may have LC's or your pedi's office.

    For supply while pumping I ate 2 or 3 packets of instant oatmeal per day and it helped noticeably. You also need to drink tons of water and other fluids and keep up your calorie intake to pregnancy levels. And keep taking your prenatals. I tried fenugreek pills but don't really remember how much they helped. Hang in there!
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  • JessAnnJJessAnnJ member
    My LO will be six months on 6/27 and I have been EPing since about the first month due to various issues. Just keep pumping every two hours if you can or atleast every three in the beginning. I don't think it has been long enough yet to start to worry.

    Regarding the pain, I had very bad pain which is part of the reason I ended up EPing. I saw lactataction consultants, was treated for thrush, tried expensive prescribed nipple cream, and still don't why it hurt. All I can tell you is that it eventually stopped hurting. I use mother love nipple cream. It is easier to rub on so it hurt less putting it on. In the beginning I also bought those gel things you heat in the microwave and put in your bra.

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  • mdesmond2320mdesmond2320 member
    Thank you for your help! :)
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  • rockychryslerb2010rockychryslerb2010 member

    I know painful, cracked nipples can happen with LO latching, it might be the same with pumping.  I didn't start pumping until LO was older, about 4 weeks, so my nipples had been to hell and back.  :)  lanolin worked wonders for me

    If you want to get baby back on the breast, I second seeing a lactation consultant.  If you don't have access to one, maybe your hospital or local la leche league can send someone out or provide resources.  kellymom is a great resource.  I only pumped for work purposes, but whenever you go to pump or baby is looking to nurse, put baby to the breast.  It might also help to pump to get the letdown, then put baby to the breast and ease LO into working harder to nurse.  I have so much respect for moms who exclusively pump, that is a huge commitment and dedication.

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