Please HELPPPP!!!Question about breastfeeding and manual avent pump?

Question

I just had a baby 3 weeks ago but still i think my milk production isnt that great coz when i nurse him after 30-35 min of nursing he falls asleep then gets back up after 5 min crying and this happens every time!! so i thought i should use a pump and try to feed him that way coz my concern is that he gets my milk and not the formula! i bought the avent manual pump, but after pumping for about 10 min i only get a few drops. Am i using it wrong coz the suction is fine and i followed directions too but isnt it strange that i get only few DROPS! i heard from everyone that its the best pump out there. anypne else used the aven manual one ..also should i try an electric pump if so which brand is best something that worked for you guyz. please help out i am very very struessed out!! thankyou

Answer 1

1. The baby is ALWAYS more efficient at getting milk than a pump.

2. Please, please, please see a Lactation Consultant. Most hospitals can connect you with one. Some even take insurance. it's worth the money.

3. Manual pumps are a WASTE OF MONEY unless you only need it for an occasional night out. If your baby is only 3 weeks old and you are going to be an exclusive pumper then you need a good electric pump.

4. I really encourage you to continue breastfeeding. I have had to pump for the past 10 months for my twin girls. I DO NOT recommend becoming an exclusive pumper. It is way more work than breastfeeding and takes alot of dedication and support.

5. However, if you decide to buy an electric pump I highly recommend the Medela Pump in Style. You'll need the car adapter (it's such a time saver to pump while driving) and the battery pack (for when you're stuck somewhere without an electrical outlet). It's a little pricey but works great. A less expensive alternative is the Ameda Purely Yours. Get the backpack if you can afford it. It's also pretty efficient.

6. I can't say this enough - find a LACTATION CONSULTANT! There could be so many reasons why your son isn't feeding well. It could be a weak suck, poor latch, and so much more. A lactation consultant can help you identify these problems and it will get better!

Answer 2

If you are not relaxed (you are too uptight because you are so worried, it is so natural to worry about this, and you say you are stressed out), then you may just be having a problem with your letdown while using the pump. Try taking some deep breaths, visualize yourself breastfeeding the baby, massage your breasts and then try to pump again, it really helps. Chances are your newborn is getting everything he needs. I have an electric pump, the Medela Pump in Style and I would highly recommend it. Very few women actually have serious problems with their supply. He could be crying for other reasons, maybe he has gas. I totally freaked out in the beginning, too, but we've been nursing for 18 months now! Good luck! Also, I should mention that the baby ALWAYS gets more than you can get from the pump! The baby is designed by nature to get the milk, the pump is only designed by man.

Answer 3

Pump in a comfy environment (preferably one where you don't have to stop to attend to the baby every couple minutes), look at your baby or your favourite picture of your baby to stimulate letdown (not at the pump) and have a big glass of water on hand to drink. For me it also helped to clear my mind and rhythmically think "give the milk to the baby... give the milk to the baby..." The more stressed out you are the harder time you will have.

I've been BF-ing for almost a year and also used the Avent manual pump. It really IS all supply and demand. On a good day from the time my baby was 2-7 months old I could pump 6 ounces on one side in about 25 minutes... (I'd do it first thing in the morning when my breasts were full after feeding the baby on the other side.) When I stopped pumping for a couple months and then tried pumping again a few times I only got 1 1/2 ounces in over 30 minutes.

Very young babies often fall asleep at the breast. Are you sure that the baby is waking and crying because he's not getting enough?? My baby was getting plenty and would wake suddenly crying because she needed a burp. (Babies don't burp as easily when they're asleep.)

The La Leche League IS very helpful and can give you more information if you like.

You're doing a wonderful thing for your baby.
Hang in there!

Answer 4

Put him back to the breast. As long as he is latched on right and sucking properly, he will always get more milk than you can get with a pump.

He's only 3 weeks old. He may be waking up and crying again simply because he wants you.

Also, at 3 weeks there is a growth spurt. Actually, in the first 6 weeks there are a lot of growth spurts very close together. These are times of frequent feeding where baby nurses all the time and works on boosting your supply.

Make sure he is actively sucking the whole time he is on, not just "flutter sucking" for comfort. You should be able to tell the difference between the vigorous sucking and swallowing of eating and the lighter, quicker flutter sucking of comfort sucking.

Is he having plenty of wet and dirty diapers? Then he is getting enough. Falling asleep at the breast is also a sign of contentment. Remember...just 3 short weeks ago he was in contact with you every moment of every day.

Check out the links below. Most times that moms think they have a supply problem, it's really something else.

Answer 5

Okay...When I had my son I had a lil issue breastfeeding at first. I ended up nursing for an entire year. That just to give you a positive perspective on breastfeeding. I found that the pump my insurance covered was the best it was Medela(hospital grade) pump which is also the same type that the wic program will lend you as well I found that to be the best pump on earth and I am going to invest in a personal version this time around because the pump alone is about the cost of one months worth of formula $300 which is a great comparison in saving money. It was a Medela Lactina came on a stand and everything try out the wic program or look to your health insurance/providers for rentals.
I didn't want to give mine back.....

Answer 6

From my personal experience a manual is a waste of money! I breastfed my 1st child 9 months and the 2nd 26 months and a GOOD pump makes the difference in the world! The best I found was the Ameda purely yours (the hospital gives you the attachments and you can purchase the motor on Ebay for like $60! That's what I would suggest for a pump. I myself tried the ameda manual an evenflo electric and the Avent manual and all I ever got was afew drops like you said now with the Amda I would be able to pump up to 10 oz at one sitting when my baby was 1st born (2nd one)

as for the baby waking and crying i would watch my diet and make sure nothing you are eating is causing the baby gas. Stay away from gassy food. Maybe something in your diet is upsetting the babies stomach. My son was allergic to milk so when ever I had dairy products it was excreted in my breast milk and it was almost immediate that I would see a result of that

Answer 7

I used the Medela with my first son who's amazingly almost 2 and am presently utilising the Avent Isis for my 5 month previous. I also stay at abode and purely use the pumps from time to time notwithstanding the Avent Isis is a million circumstances extra valuable than the Medela. i replaced into under no circumstances able to get a lot milk through pumping in the previous and that i idea that acquiring purely an oz or so replaced into well-known, no longer so - I have considering that been able to pump over 4 oz from one breast with the Avent Isis. also the Medela ended up getting moldy after some months, yuck!

Answer 8

I would highly reccomend that you attend a La Leche League meeting, it's free and sooooooooooooo helpful with wonderful and supportive women. If he's nursing for 30-35 minutes he is probably getting a sufficient amount of milk, it could be that he just wants the comfort of his momma. As far as a pump, especially manual, it will not be as efficient as your new baby. Hospital grade pumps are VERY effective and can be rented. You can gage wether your baby is getting enough milk by the amount of diapers he goes through (about 12/day).

Answer 9

Your son is getting pleanty, almost all newborns fall asleep at the breast. To pump (avent is the best) look at your baby (hormones kick in) and pump, w/ avent pump make sure the handle is properly hinged other wise suction is low, also it takes some time to get anything out, your milk supply is all going to the baby, so unless he/she misses a feeding you will not get too much out. Good Luck, stick to the breast he is getting enough

Answer 10

ur baby is actually the best pump. u can always try to wake him up to finish eating but goodluck cuz my son wouldnt wake. medela actually makes a great pump and its what hospitals use but their expensive. just remember ur breasts will produce as much milk as is needed. so the more ur son eats the more milk ull produce. if i were u i would pump for 15min on each breast after ur son falls asleep. u can also contact la leche league they are a great resource for breastfeeding mothers and can provide u with a tremendous amount of support.