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Sudden pumping issues

CarolinaGirl2014CarolinaGirl2014 member
edited March 2014 in Breastfeeding
I've been EP'ing for my daughter for 10.5 weeks now. I've worked through finding the right flange size, right suction and speed, and tricks to induce letdown and have been in a successful routine a while now. About 10 days ago, my supply dropped from 30-33oz/day to about. 27. It was day 23 of my cycle so I figured it was due to the fact that my period was about to start. I had my first period at almost 6 weeks PP and had a drop a couple days before it. This period never started, but my supply went back up to ~29 oz. The last few days, I've felt more full and feel engorged as little as an hour after pumping but can't relieve it no matter how long I pump- I feel like I only half empty. I can hand express a ton after pumping but I'm not good at it and am so sore from it. I am drinking plenty of water and eating well. BF is not an option for me. I feel like the pump is working b/c suction looks the same. DH and I have had sex, but he hasn't finished and it was around day 21 of my cycle when I was pretty sure I ovulated for around day 16. I drink lactation tea daily and pump 8 times a day- nothing had really changed. I dint have any hard lumps, just full all over.

Sorry it's so long and unorganized- lots of background info. Thoughts? Anyone had this happen before?
Birthmom to A, 1/8- the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Lao-Tzu

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Re: Sudden pumping issues

  • kjsmith9kjsmith9 member
    1) Do you have extra pump parts that you could switch out, just to see if it makes a difference?  It doesn't necessarily feel weird when something needs to be replaced.  You could try a warm washcloth on your chest to see if that helps while pumping.  I always had to compress/massage while pumping to really get down to near-empty.

    2) Have you heard about the 6 week bleed?  It may not have been your period.

    3) How many ounces is your baby drinking in a day?  I would think 27-29oz would be plenty.
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  • Juliebird8307Juliebird8307 member
    I agree with the PP. I had a post partum period at 6 weeks and then didn't have another until DD was 6 months. I would also recommend changing out parts on your pump.

    How much is your LO drinking? I believe the normal is around 25oz/day, so it seems like even with your drop, you should be producing enough.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • CarolinaGirl2014CarolinaGirl2014 member
    Thanks ladies! I placed my daughter for adoption so I'm pumping, freezing, and shipping milk to her. She only drinks about 22-26 oz/day but there is 1-3 oz waste a day when she doesn't finish a bottle since it was frozen and it seems a lot gets lost between the bottles I pump into, the bags it's frozen in, and the bottle she eats out of. So I have to pump 27-30 to keep up with her. She also has a severe milk, soy, egg. and gluten allergy so it's important for me to keep up until her mom can introduce a special rice formula this week and we know it's going over well.

    I focused on relaxing and increased my massaging while pumping and replaced the membranes and I think I'm finally back to emptying all the way!

    I'd never heard of the 6 week bleed. It was a good week after all bleeding stopped and accompanied by all my typical menstrual symptoms. The only reason I think I've ovulated is I had all my usual signs of ovulation, but guess that could be my hormones regulating.
    Birthmom to A, 1/8- the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

    A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Lao-Tzu

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