Pumping help!!!

sgerrity23 · September 2013

When I first went back to work I was able to pump about 4 to 5 oz at each session. Now, a month and a half later, i am only pumping about 2 to 3. What happened? I still pump the same times and I have changed the membranes on the pump. I have tried lactation cookies, mothers milk tea gave baby gas. Could it be the tubing if the pump? What can I do?

HarleyKins · September 2013

I found better luck with a hand pump than the motorized ones.

poppyc8 · September 2013

Here is what has helped with my pumping supply

Try switching to a larger breastshield

Don't look at how much you are pumping. Since I relaxed and stopped doing this my supply went way up. Read a book while you pump to keep your mind off it.

Pump only one breast at a time and massage the breast while you pump. When done with one switch to the other.

Add an extra pumping session in if you still need more milk.

emmy236 · September 2013

Get a big glass and fill it full of water at all times. At work I made sure I bring in a big tervis cup and I have to get at least 2 full glasses down before each pump. Keeping well hydrated made a big difference. Also eat oatmeal with flax seed and a little brewers yeast. It does really help, at least for my first session

pinottoparenthood · September 2013

It's normal and happened to me, too. I think it's largely because your supply is more regulated so less excess milk. What helps me is drinking TONS and TONS of water, and doing breast compressions the entire time I pump.plus I have to pump for longer periods of time now (20-30 min vs 15). Doing all of this, I pump EXACTLY what DS drinks during the day with the nanny.

NewMom113 · September 2013

Pumping doesn't work as well as a baby does. Unfortunately you may need to pump extra minutes after milk stops flowing. they say pump an extra 2-5 mins once flow has stopped to help stimulate production. Here are a couple things to do to try and help.
1. Everytime you pump make sure to drink at least 16 oz of water while pumping. I had a hard time drinking enough throughout the day so this helped.
2. Make sure to massage. I got an extra oz if I massaged compared to not.
3. For some pumping both sides at once is better. But I actually got more pumping one side then the other. I could focus on the massaging better.
4. And this sounds dumb but it actually helped me. Don't look at your oz until you are done. Because if you start worrying about your oz you start to stress which hurts your supply.

Misssarah31 · September 2013

First thing is first......RELAX!! Ahhh deep breaths and don't look down!! One thing that has been helpful for me at work is videos of my babe on my phone with him smiling and cooing. Just watching it helps with my let down. And I agree with everyone. Take the amount of water you drink a day and triple it!! Seriously. It's amazing how much you have to drink. I have a madela electric double pump and I do both at the same time. If your milk stops try putting the setting back to the faster suck that most pumps do in the beginning. And squeeze those babies like lemons to get out those last precious drops. Good luck.

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