Pumping not going so well...

Re: Pumping not going so well...

• nackie member

  February 2016

  My LO is only two weeks, but I have the same problem with pumping.  I'm hoping it will get better, but so far over half the time I get nothing when I try to pump

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• LIly436 member

  February 2016

  Try to feed and pump more often and you will get more milk

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• jencook25 member

  February 2016

  Iv had this prob too. My supply really dwindled after I got mastitis and nipple thrush. Aside from the obvious of drink oodles of water, Iv found the most effective thing to increase my supply is to put Bub on my boob, because as my midwife explained the stimulation Bub gives to the nipple is more effective than the stimulation that the express machine gives. Of course that may not be an option for you depending on why your expressing. Good luck! P.s. My goodness great effort getting back to work. I haven't even got out of my pajamas! 

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• jeanbug12 member

  February 2016

  If your baby is eating every hour you won't be able to pump much.  But when you are at work and your baby is not emptying your breast every hour you should be able to pump a lot more, don't stress yet!

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• SuperherosMom member

  February 2016 edited February 2016

  Try pumping in the middle of the night even if only 10 minutes.
  
  With my first 2 boys I never pumped before I went back to work. When I went back I was pumping 2oz per side total of 4 Oz every 2-3 hours which was just enough for each bottle. But did get hard sometimes to even get that. So with this baby I have started pumping after she nurses and especially if she only nurses on one side, pumping only 10 minutes and I also pump once or twice a night for 10 minutes to try to build my supply and freezer stash. Every little bit helps so just keep at it ... you're doing a great job 

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• lyndz74115 member

  February 2016

  I started pumping this week to stock up for when I go back to work in April. Baby girl is EBF and has been gaining weight like a champ so I know she's getting enough to eat. Unfortunetly my body does not respond well to pumping. I pumped 3 times yesterday and only got 4 oz. which is only enough for one bottle. I find the hardest part is just trying to figure out when to pump. I tried right after she nursed and got very little. She eats every 2-3 hours so I've been trying to do it about an hour after she eats, so I get a little more. I can't really do it in place of a feeding because I don't get enough. So frustrating... 
  
  

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• kwentela member

  February 2016

  @lyndz74115 if you are still EBF and only pumping to build up supply, 4 oz a day actually isn't too bad, from what I've been told by an LC and what I've read from la leche league pumping about an hour after feedings is the best and to make sure you get a pumping in between 4-8am bc you make the most in the morning. They said if you keep it up you might get up to 6-8oz a day, I stayed in the 4-5oz/day range while EBF. Don't be discouraged, if you think about it, getting 4 oz a day for 30-60 days is well over 100oz you could have saved up and are you planning to pump when you return to work? Bc that's when you should get higher volumes when ur replacing feeds with pumping sessions! Keep it up! 

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• lyndz74115 member

  February 2016

  Thanks! I guess it just doesn't seem like much because I don't get very much each time, but it all adds up. 

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• Kellycrazymomma member

  February 2016

  Also, some pumps (medela and ameda I know, bc I have both) have different size flanges for a reason. If you have smaller/larger nipples or aereolas, you may need a bigger size. There are even knock off brands you can try. I got a single for medela from Amazon (prime so free shipping) for under 10 I think, with extra membranes.

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• preggoandglowing member

  February 2016

  Lurking from Dec.. I was in the same boat so what I did is give DD formula for 24 hours and pumped every 2 hours during this time and it helped me get ahead. Then I continued alternating between breastfeeding and pumped milk for her feeds. I'm now at 3oz which isn't much compared to some but I was stuck at 1oz for so long I feel like it's quite the accomplishment lol!

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• pumpkinhead4 member

  February 2016

  Pump around 2 or 3 am when your prolactin levels are highest. I know it doesn't sound ideal but you will see a lot more milk I think. 

  6 & 2 year old, 2 losses

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