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A question for mom's who pump

jrb2015jrb2015 member
in October 2015 Moms
So my question is this...

Is it normal for breast milk to only really come out when I'm in "let down" mode on my medela pump? On my pump it initially  is in a slower mode and then it gets deeper and stronger. I get the most milk in the non deep suctioning mode which seems backwards. I just keep hitting the let down button and  massaging my breasts and some milk will come out. It's still not enough to feed my son exclusively but it is getting a little more day by day. I'm up to 1 oz total pump for both breasts about every 2-3 hours and he is 10 days old tomorrow.
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Re: A question for mom's who pump

  • baby2teamsbaby2teams member
    I can't remember, it's been 4 years since I've touched a pump (but will soon enough). I had a lot of extra after the first week, so if you still feel full of milk you may want to try bigger or smaller size funnel thingies (I can't remember what they're called). Medelas website should tell you how o measure.
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  • CarahallCarahall member
    That happened to me before I really was conditioned to let down milk for the pump. I would suggest turning down the suction on the 2nd cycle and see if that helps. Also as soon as your milk lets down on the first cycle, switch it to the second cycle. That one actually gets more milk out. As far as your output, is your son also nursing? If so, your pumped amount could be smaller like you say. If you're exclusively pumping, that's not enough to sustain a baby, and I'd suggest increasing frequency and duration until you're getting at least 2oz every 2 hours. Hope this was helpful....
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  • jrb2015jrb2015 member
    I started nursing in the hospital when he was born and for the 4 days after that (I was c-section and in the hospital that long) he lost 9% of his weight so I started pumping after each feeding at the breast with minimal results. Inever had the full signs of my milk "coming in" that other people have so i'm not sure what's going on. I switched to exclusive pumping because of breast pain and because I wanted to know exactly what was going into baby. We supplement with formula now. I drink a gallon of water a day, take the max dose of fenugreek, pump every 2-3 hours even during the night and my max output has been 1 oz between two breasts and that's with a 20 minute pump. I may just never produce enough milk to sustain him but I think it's important at least he's getting something from my body. We give him the pumped 1 ounce first then another ounce of formula after that and he's put back on all his weight.

    I don't know what the issue is with my breasts. hopefully just because my milk came in late. I also had a breast lump removed from one breast about 8 years ago and lung surgery on the other side with an incision that goes pretty far towards my other breast and fibrous breast tissue (crappy I know)
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  • CarahallCarahall member
    Can you see a lactation consultant? There may be some things you can try like different positions for baby or corrections for baby's latch. Also, remember that baby is better at getting milk from you than the pump is so don't think that what you're pumping is a full indication of what you're making. And you're completely right-- giving baby some breast milk is very beneficial even if it's supplemented by formula. You're doing great!!
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  • jrb2015jrb2015 member
    thank you :)
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  • ameares721ameares721 member
    I get milk during both settings, but more during the let down setting after the first two minutes of "stimulation".
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  • jts2015jts2015 member
    I have an avent double electric pump and its awesome! Baby is 6 days old and I noticed about 2 days ago that I started feeling engorged and I get about 3 oz from each boob. My nipples hurt from my son latching on wrong now he's does it the right way but I'm healing and it hurts!!! So I'm going to pump until my nipples heal.
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  • justagirl04justagirl04 member
    Does your hospital offer a free walk in lactation clinic? Ours does and they are amazing!! LO had jaundice in the extreme levels and I had to stop breastfeeding and switch to pumping and mixing with nursery water to get her food fast enough. She's getting better day by day and it sucks not fully breastfeeding but I'll take having to pump over a super sick kid any day. Have you let your breasts become engourged? I did by accident (I needed the sleep) and I went from pumping 1.5 oz at a time to 2.5-3 each time now. But I also made two types of lactation cookies and have been eating them like candy so maybe it's just a coincidence. Good luck!! Hang in there!!
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  • jrb2015jrb2015 member
    update: I'm almost 2 weeks post birth now and still only producing a max of about 35 ml per pump. I'm still supplementing with formula and at least once a day baby latches and nurses directly off the breast. It's a little less frustrating as I have just sort of accepted this is the way it is. Still eating oatmeal everyday, a gallon of water and fenugreek. My breasts for the first time did leak yesterday so hopefully that's a good sign. I just started having night sweats so it seems like my postpartum symptoms have been a bit delayed. I'll continue to give my little guy what I can produce!
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