Been breastfeeding and need to occasionally pump, but having trouble pumping milk.?

Question

I've been breastfeeding my daughter since she was born, so four months now,

The situation is that I have a seminar to go to and family/kids are not allowed..so I bought a Medela 2-phase Harmony Manual brest pump..(considering that I probably don't need a fancy one for the occasional use)

I've tried at nites after the baby sleeps to pump..so far I was only able to get like an once or so in two or three sittings..

-tried thinking about the baby
-tried waiting to get more milk
-my letdown doesnt seem to letdown with the pump
-is it my pump maybe?

Can somebody point me in the right direction?

Answer 1

Is there a way that hubby or grandma can stay close by with the baby so that you aren't separated? Think creatively. Let it be known that your family is a priority. Personally, I'd be very concerned about being separated overnight if I had a 4 mos old baby. If it is more than one night, I'd be very concerned about a nursing strike or premature weaning.

Consider renting a hospital grade pump for the time that you will be gone and shortly before that. Call the hospital you delivered at or your local Lactation Consultant or La Leche League Leader and see where you can rent a pump.

Try pumping on one side while baby is nursing on the other.

Try looking at baby or pictures of baby while pumping.

Try warmth and massage on your breasts prior to pumping.

Make sure that you are getting a good seal with the pump so that you can create suction. Are all the parts connected properly? When you use it, is your nipple being drawn into the horn of the pump? Sometimes it helps to hand express a few drops of milk into the horn and spread it around to get a good seal.

When the flow of milk slows or stops, take the pump off and reposition the horn. This can help you to get a second letdown and empty different milk ducts.

How much you can pump is NOT an indicator of supply. Your baby probably gets much more than you are able to pump as long as she is latched on and nursing properly.

Answer 2

I suddenly had this problem after being able to pump 6 ounces with an Avent manual pump in about 30 minutes for several months. It's all supply and demand though so eventually you start producing more to accomodate the need.

I'd look at my favorite picture of my daughter and think about how I felt when I heard "It's a girl" in the delivery room. The picture seemed to help more than just thinking of her.

Also make sure you're in a comfy position/location. Try not thinking about the actual pumping... look at a fish tank, watch TV, listen to music what ever will keep you relaxed. And I heard drinking a big glass of water while you pump may be helpful. (My public health nurse and a couple books recommended this. Not sure why? Because it's not like a direct line or anything :-) but it always seemed to help me.)

Oh, and if you typically "leak" in the shower then maybe try pumping right after that when you're all relaxed, warm and toasty.

It might be the pump... babies are more efficient than pumps any day. Don't get discouraged!!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Drink more water, first of all. Drinking water helps to keep up the milk supply. You can also take the herbal supplement FENUGREEK - its available at health food stores or a Whole Foods if you have one near you. It is safe and helps to keep your milk supply up. The more you pump/nurse baby the more milk you will produce so don't wait to get more milk. The more you do it the more you will produce. Also, contact a local lactation consultant, I bet a local hospital could put you into contact with one because they may be able to give you more support. May I also suggest you consider renting a Medela electric pump - ask the consultant about it. I was able to rent one for $50 USD for 2 weeks and it might be better than the manual to help express milk more efficiently I hope this info helps. Good Luck!

Answer 4

momma2mingbu has a really great answer. Maybe the manual pump is not effective enough. If you can, invest in an electric Medela pump. Pumping is not as effective as nursing, so don't listen to anyone who says your milk supply is low. If you want to pump a lot in a short amount of time, you can try skipping some feedings on one breast and only pump from that side, this way it will be full and you will have more to express at one sitting. Be sure to empty it as best you can, to make sure you get the most hindmilk. Good Luck...I really dispise pumping but letting my breast get full before pumping made it much easier.

Answer 5

ok heres what you do, you need to get a automatic pump, there not that expensive, like $20 or $30, becuase it produces a suction and is more like and infant sucking, you might start out with just a little milk, but if you take your hand and squeeze your breast, milk with shoot out, alternate from one to the other, once you get a good flow then start pumping again, it will make you have more milk in you and just do that like every hour for a day or night, then the next day it becomes real easy and the pump will do almost all of the work

Answer 6

I had a problem similar to this...it ended up just being my pump, I went out and bought an overly expensive Playtex embrace pump figuring breastfeeding occasionally for 6 months or more and hopefully having more than this one baby it will get enough use. It ended up being worth spending the extra money, even my husband whose a penny pincher is glad I got it. Good luck.

Answer 7

I also breast fed well(and still am)but I tried several pumps too and your ideas,tried them all but never seemed to get enough milk.
I ended up not worrying and substituted with water or juice or yogurt when i wasn't around(which wasn't for long)
Your baby is 4 months old that's when my baby started eating rice cereal and yogurt.
Sorry I'm not much help but i do know how you feel.

Answer 8

You could be losing your milk you need to rest more and drink lots of fluids.