New Pump Not Working as Well

I have the Medela Pump in Style and I really liked mine. If you pump right after you breastfeed you may get different amounts each time. In my experience w/ pumping I didn't feel like it was getting all the milk out either. Then I found out that pumping doesn't get all of the milk, you have to use a combo. of breastfeeding and pumping.Because the baby's suction is what truly empties the breast. If you are doing this and still have problems, I would recommend pumping more freqently until you go back to work. It's all about supply and demand...hope this helps! Above all don't get frustrated.....thousands and thousands of babies (happy and healthy) are bottlefed w/ formula every day! :<)

I am not so expererienced in pumping as I only pumped minimally when I had my two girls now ages 6 and 3 but, did you know that here in Columubs (not sure where you are) we have a pumping mom's support group.

Please contact me ____@____.com for further info.

Also, please contact a lactation consultant.

I alos know that you have to get used to the pump. It can be difficult to get used to "letting down" with a pump. Keep a picture or blanket with your babies smell and imagine yourself holding your baby while you pump. It may help to have some music playing while you nurse then play the same music while you pump to "train" your body to let down.

Good luck to you and keep up the Great work. Breast milk is best and it seems like you are determined.

Please keep us posted as to your progress and congratulations on your little one.

I had the same problem as you with all three of my kids. I could never pump more than an ounce at a time. I watched my friend one day and she was like a cow. It just kept on comming. The difference I noticed with her was that she was drinking a one liter bottle of water while she was pumping. I never tried it because I don't care for water but you could try it, maybe it will help.

R.

Alright, couple of things you can do. Part of the problem might be relaxing. Are you experiencing let down when pumping? Try massaging for a few minutes before you pump, and work from the outside in when you are doing it because that encourages your breasts to let down. Also when you a pumping, think about your baby, or hold a picture of your baby, or something of hers. Also make sure you are comfortable, and relaxed. Stressing about your supply will not encourage production release. If your supply is truly diminishing, pump more then 2-3 times a day to increase your supply, even if you are feeding baby, and be sure you get let down when you are pumping or nursing. If that is not happening, massage your breasts. I know that fenugreek capsules are over the counter, but if you are still having problems, your ob/gyn can prescribe medication for you to take that will increase your milk supply, but I forget the name of it. But it works and its safe for baby. Also I encourage you to talk to your OB/GYN because he or she will have helpful advice too.

I used the Medela pump and it worked great. I did have some problems at times though. I don't know if they still make them the same way they did in 2000 or not. One problem that I had was that the small, white, circular flap had a tiny slit in it that was barely visible. Two other problems that I had were that I was not eating right and I was stressed out working 50 or more hours a week. I was making the milk, but it wouldn't come out. When I started relaxing some, eating better and working only 40 hours a week, I had no more problems with my milk supply and the ability to pump it. I did have to sometimes use a warm wash cloth to help it 'let down' from time to time. Another thing that helps is to pump it on a schedule, say every 3 hours or every 4 hours. I always went by how often my baby would eat. I hope that this helps. L.

I had the same trouble. To increase my supply I nursed more often and let my baby nurse before I pumped to get a flow started and I drank the Mother's Milk tea (which contains funigreek) and of course drink lots and lots of water.

Hi S., the same happened with me. I also began taking the fenugreek and it helped tremendously. I ended up nursing for a year...pumping daily.
Okay, the longer you try to pump the more milk will generate on the next pumping. Sometimes early in the morning I would have to massage my breasts while trying to pump to make my milk come down. Another trick is to put a warm cloth on your breast before starting the pump. My milk amounts varied according to the time of day; however, try to pump the same amount of time. I was only able to pump ten minutes in between because I did it during recess (I'm a teacher). I hope this helps...don't give up. If you are tense then you won't produce as much milk. Read while you pump or listen to easy music. Let the baby nurse at night. Hope this helps.

I had a similar problem last week (I have a 10 week old). One morning I tried to pump on one side only- but nothing came out even though I had supply. I also have the Medela Pump in Style, by the way. The advice I got from a lactation specialist was to use warm compresses and "relax". Easier said then done when you are worried about your supply. She also suggested that I have the baby nurse for a minute on that side before pumping in order to trigger the let down. That has seemed to work for me. I also noticed that it works better for me when I double pump rather than only doing one side.

I'm curious how the fenugreek capsules work for you. I tried it last time and it gave me severe stomach cramps. Good luck! But, let me say, that it sounds like you are doing great. A supplemental bottle every now and then is really okay if she needs it when you go back to work.

I had problems with my milk supply and I found I had to put a warm cloth on before pumping and I needed to drink more fluids. I even had to up the times I pumped it helped and yes it was difficult. I never tried those capsules but I did try the tea in the health food isles that was for breast feeding mom's to help increase their milk, I think it helped but I also increased the water at the same time and the warm compress so I guess for me all for those factors together helped but I notice mostly as time went by the amount increased, sadly I still had to had to sue a few bottles a day of formula but I still gave some breast milk and to me some was better then none. Best of luck to you and be patient. Not sure which pump I used but I rented it from the hospital it was Medela however.