why cant i pump???

Question

i am a breastfeeding mother and i cant pump...even if im full i get nothing...i cant get a letdown...it just doesnt work, My milk supply is dropping because my daughter is sleeping through the night and Im told to pump off in the middle of the night so its like a feeding ...and i cant...what do i do, anyone got any advice.

Answer 1

What kind of pump do you have?? Try this....start off on the lowest setting to get the let down started...then slowly work your way to the highest setting. If no milk comes out after that you may need to get a new pump. Contact the hospital you delivered at and see if they rent them out there (they run like 30-70$ a month though)...but they are really good.
You may also want to contact a lactation consultant. Good luck! I gave up on pumping for my daughter, who also sleeps through the night (she's 8 weeks) and I just take Fenugreek to help maintain it or increase it when I need to.

Answer 2

I agree with the others who said to change breast pumps...it seems that the pump is the problem, b/c there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to express your milk, if you're full and your daughter has no problems getting milk when she nurses. Are you sure you have all the little parts that go with it? I know this sounds silly but once I tried to pump when I was missing the little membrane flap and it didn't work. (And when it's the middle of the night and you're exhausted, it makes it even harder to keep track of all that stuff! I know!) Also make sure you have the part that goes over your breast placed properly. It shouldn't hurt to pump (maybe just a little at first but shouldn't continue to hurt). Also another thing that helped me when I had to pump is to massage the breast around the aureola while pumping, to encourage your letdown reflex. I would recommend renting a hospital grade pump; your insurance or Medicaid should cover it. I used a Medela pump and I was sorry to have to return it! Anyway I hope all this helps and if you're still having problems, you can email me if you like (click on my name and send me a msg); I've been thru the ringer with breastfeeding and pumping; my midwife is looking into recruiting me for a peer counseling program for breastfeeding moms in the future because of all the difficulties I went thru with it! (I'm doing fine now.) Good luck. :)

Answer 3

If she's starting to sleep through the night, don't pump at all, don't you want to get some sleep too ? If you pump you will have to do this every single night...just manually express a bit if you're engorged. If you're having problems pumping, like the others mentioned use a good electric pump, and be sure the parts are all put together properly, the little flappy thing is on properly or there won't be any suction. Prior to pumping put warm compresses and remember to RELAX, don't overthink it. It helps to think of feeding your baby, and be comfortable. I hated pumping, it stressed me out, so I didn't pump much milk. Babies are much more effective at sucking than a machine, so don't think you have low milk supply !

Answer 4

If she's sleeping through the night, why not just nurse more often during the day?

What makes you feel that your supply is dropping? Many times moms think this but it's actually something else.

What kind of pump are you using? Electric or manual? Single or double?

Have you tried applying heat and massage prior to pumping?

Answer 5

It depends on what pump you are using. If you have an evenflo, throw it away. Contact your La Leche Leage program or call the hospital you had the baby at. They should be able to rent you a hospital grade pump.
If you qualify for WIC chances are you can get a hospital grade pump from them.
Trust me, cheap pumps do more damage than anything. You need a good pump.

If you do have a good pump, try massaging or hand expressing for a while.

Answer 6

I would use a double electric pump. They also suggest looking at a picture of your baby and possibly having an article of her clothing that you can smell. That way your brain will see and smell the baby and signal a let down.
I think it's great you are breast feeding, keep it up.

Answer 7

Breast feeding is very important, but not as important as your sanity. If it is making you sad or it makes you feel like a failure, stop. My wife had the same issue, nothing we could do, she was unable to breastfeed, Our children are healthy and happy. Our older child is avove average in every test she has taken and was accepted into a school for advanced children. Don't let it drive you crazy. I'll bet you weren't breastfed, do you feel your at a disadvantage for not being breastfed.
Shawn