Breastfeeding

Yet another pumping output question

I have posted before about my pumping output decreasing and recently having to supplement with 1 - 2 bottles of formula per day (my son is 9 months old).  For the past few months, I have been pumping 2 X per day (my first pump is an extended pump and I usually get quite a bit from it - at my height, I was getting 9 ounces from that 1 pump, but recently 2.5-6 ounces from the first pump and 1.5 - 4 ounces from the second pump, totalling between 4 and 8.5 ounces a day, usually in the 6-7.5 range.  I nurse on demand nights and weekends and don't seem to have any problems.  

A few weeks ago I purchased new flanges (the white things) hoping it would make a difference (it didn't), but they are  new and I rotate between 3 sets each week.  I pumped yesterday (same pump parts as today) and actually had a fairly good output (about 7 ounces), but I just finished my first pump and didn't even get 1 ounce between both breasts.  I did get my period early this morning, but it's my 5th, and I haven't had significant dropping of output during the previous 4.

So my question is, could something have happened to my pump parts overnight?  I inspected them and don't see any damage, and it was both breasts, so it would be a little weird if all the parts got damaged at once.  I am very hydrated (I've filled my water bottle 3 times this morning already).

Any thoughts?  

Re: Yet another pumping output question

  • was the little tab on the membrane pushed all the way in? were the tubes connected securely to the pump?

    do your breasts still feel full?
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  • I believe it was pushed in all the way, but like @theresat858 said, I doubt both of them suddenly wouldn't be.  I don't feel that full, however, I really haven't felt "full" for months, probably for 3 or 4 months, the milk just always seems to be there when I need it!

    What might cause a sudden let down issue?  I've never had any issues with the pump like that before (I've been at work full time for 6 months, and pumped for about 6 weeks before that at home 1x per day).  I have no idea why suddenly I would have a let down issue... And I didn't do anything different while pumping this time then I usually do. 
  • I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I have had a significant supply drop at 8 months. I haven't had a period yet, but last Friday I started bleeding. It stopped after a few hours and no blood since then. I still have awful supply, but I'm looking forward to a 4-day Labor Day weekend of nursing the whole time. Hopefully that'll give it a boost. I'm guessing that your "period" has something to do with it because that is the only apparent thing to have changed for you lately.
    image

    TTC since April 2011. DH Dx MFI in February 2012. BFP #1: 7.16.12. MMC dx: 8.22.12, D&C 8.28.12, TTC Again November 2012. DH Varicocele repair November 2012; Repeat SA showed "dramatic" improvement February 2013 (awesome!)
    BFP #2: 3.26.13, EDC: 12.7.13. Anya born December 9th, 2013!
  • I did check the suction and it seemed normal.  I am chalking it up to a fluke as I seem to have bounced back to my normal (post 8 month normal anyway) production.  I do think that PP was correct that it was probably a letdown situation, although I have no idea why!

    Thanks all!
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