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What kind of pump are you using? I was fine at feeding the baby but had a hard time pumping. After a series of crazy disasters, I had to (what I thought was temporarily) use a manual/hand pump. It was WAY more effective for me than the electric one. Sigh... Nice to be able to pump but you can't multitask so much with a manual pump. Are you able to get a lot while she's feeding? The other suggestions are to stay hydrated and try to relax (easier said than done). If you're pumping directly into a bottle, I'd recommend buying at least one in a really small size (like 2 oz) because you can see that you're making progress whereas you'd barely cover the bottom of a larger bottle. It was helpful to me--I'd feel a little less discouraged. Good luck!
I have the Ameda purely yours double electric pump. I get anywhere between 2-4oz when I pump while she's feeding. I also drink tons of water. Probobly 2 gallons a day. I'm just not understanding why I can barely pump unless she's feeding.
I had better results with a manual too... I also took a hot shower and massaged towards the nipple before trying.
I'd also check the size of your flanges and see if you need to go up a size. It might take you longer for your milk to let down when she isn't nursing so be patient and give it time to let down.
Does your pump automatically switch to expression mode after a few minutes? If it does, and you haven't had let-down yet, that mode will not be very productive.
Read your instruction book. You may need to turn off and restart the pump if it switches to expression mode before you have let down.
I am sure that you know all the other tips about relaxing, looking at a picture of your baby etc. The one thing I found worked for me was to record her hungry cry and listen to that.
I was having the same issues and actually found that hand expression works wonders for me. I've never tried to pump while she feeds because she switches sides a good 4 times before she's done and I'm afraid I'll "run out" of milk for her if I pump at the same time.
@jubyju22 that website is great. Thanks!
Thanks everyone...hopefully it will improve
You might also want to try manual expression, for some moms it is far more effective at getting let down started than with the pump, once the let down starts, then stop the manual expression, and apply the pump. I have a video link somewhere of how to do manual expression if you need it.
I have to use massage and compression during the entire time I am pumping (and before just to get things moving) and then after I get all I can using the pump with massage and compression, I hand express the rest. Some of us just have to work harder at it than others when pumping is involved.
how long are you pumping for? Initially I had oversupply, so pumping was no problem. Now that Baby T is 6 months and I'm back to work, I sometimes have to pump for a while before I'll let down. It's worse in the afternoons and evenings, but I sometimes have to pump for 10 minutes or more to get a let down. A couple times when I needed a few more ounces for his bottles the next day, I've pumped for 30 minutes waiting for a letdown, though it's not as common and was always late at night when pumping is the hardest. I had to go up 2 sizes in flanges. For me it's easiest if I'm distracted when I pump, but relaxed. So I surf the net while I'm pumping at work. (like right now). I hope it gets better!
One other thing. As I was getting stressed that not much was coming, it turned into a crazy bad cycle of not relaxing and, you know, nothing coming. I found that it helped if I did something else while pumping like reading email or surfing the net. It got my mind distracted and I think I was able to relax.
I am pumping for about 15-20 minutes. Basically the duration she would usually eat for. After following a lot of the tips you have given me I was somewhat more successful this last day. Instead of a few drops I am now getting 1-1.5oz each side. Yay! So keep the tips coming. I appreciate all your help!
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I have been pumping to build up my supply of breastmilk prior to returning to work. However I have found that I can only pump and get milk while my daughter is feeding. She eats on one side while I pump the other. Lately at night I get so full so I try to pump to relieve a little pressure but all I get are a few drops. I have tried looking at a picture and relaxing but nothing helps. Anyone else had this problem? Any tips/suggestions?