Pumping breast milk?

Question

I've been breast feeding my month old son since he was born. When i first started using my breast pump I was able to get 3 oz out of one breast and at least 2 on the other. Now when I use the pump I'm lucky to get 1oz out of each breast. I'm using a Medela pump in style. My baby is nursing fine. Has the right if not more wet & dirty diapers than needed so I know its not me. I'm wondering if I'm just not able to use a breast pump at all. has anyone else had any problems like this?

Answer 1

This sounds like you may not be using the pump properly or for long enough. Pumps work differently than a nursing child. Your breasts have to kinda be "trained" on how to react to the pump as opposed to your child. When I was pumping, I was able to pump 10-12 ounces at one time. You may want to pump more often to help increase your milk supply. It can get very tiring, so make sure you are drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep -- I know, easier said than done. But, most of all, relax. Stress has a negative impact on milk production. Just practice and if you need more help, please don't be afraid to talk to your ob/gyn or a lactation consultant. They should be free through the hospital where you had the baby. Good luck!

Answer 2

Pumping is a skill *lol* it comes naturally to some, some can do it with practice, and some can never do it at all. It is very important to relax and be able to let down while pumping. Also you may need to pump more often, you need a bit of an oversupply to pump because really the pump can only get about 70-80% of the milk in your breast so if your breast is mostly empty all the time from frequent nursing (which is fine for baby that is how they get more calories, more fat, and more milk) then you are going to have trouble pumping.

Here is some info on how to pump more:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Answer 3

I pumped with the same Medela pump.
In the beginning, I used to get 5-6 ounces PER BREAST but now I am lucky if I get 1 ounce,just as you stated.
This is because you're body is used to Baby and the pump and adjusted itself accordingly, so you'd not be over-producing and be leaking 24/7. I used to leak literally ALL the time and now I only leak when my son cries or 3-4 hours have passed and for some reasons he's not ate yet, like at night.
You're perfectly normal :-)

Answer 4

From my experience drinking more water helps pumping. I drink about 4 litters of water a day but still have the same prob you do once in awhile.
what is happening is that the hind milk is too thick for the pump to pull out. After you are secreting any more out try hand pumping for a bit. If you still need milk for leaving him with a nanny or day care then try to pump before you feed him everytime. Also pump regularly, example if you are at work pump every 2.5-3 hours.
After the baby is a bit old you can use a little oatmeal/rice ceral in the milk to supplement it since he isn't getting the high calorie hind milk.
Also call your insurance provider or peditrican and see if you can go to a lacation consultant really helps!

Answer 5

You can express milk with your hands not you cannot express enough milk with your hands to feed a baby! If you want to give baby milk w/o actually using the breasts you must pump and if you expect to do it any long amount of time you need to buy a good double electric pump. If you are worried about what breastfeeding will do to your breasts then you shouldn't pump either b/c the results will be the same.

Answer 6

Our bodies are amazing things. We know that our baby needs the milk, not the breast pump, so we won't let the milk down. If you want to pump to have milk on hand when you aren't available here is my suggestion to you.

When we nurse today, our body knows that tomorrow we need to produce the same amount of milk. This is why when baby is older and eats more at one time, our body produces more milk. You should set aside the same time every day to pump, so your body gets used to the extra feeding.

Relax, sometimes when we are stressed, no matter how hard we try, our milk will not flow. Read an interesting book while you are pumping, so it does not feel like it takes so long.

Your son is lucky you are breastfeeding him!! Congratulations

Answer 7

At this point your baby is still nursing alot. Your body is probably just getting used to making milk and you are probably making just enough for him to be saticefied. Try pumping in the morning right after you wake up. At that point your breast are probably quite full. Also if you want to pump more than once a day, try to do it everyday at the same time, like when he is taking a nap or something or after he goes to bed at night. This way your body thinks that the baby likes to eat at this time and will make sure there is a little snack available for the hungry hippo. good luck

Answer 8

I couldn't pump to save my life. I could express into a bowl with no problem, but I had no luck finding a pump to work for me. Now with my second on the way, I am stressing about buying the right pump without spending a fortune so his father can help with feedings and I can take a break every once in a while.
Good Luck

Answer 9

I tried using an electric pump and it just didn't work for me...I needed more control, so I use the Advent Manual pump and love it. Find that sometimes it takes a long time for the milk to "let down".(its that tingle/slightly burning feeling) I have to distract myself and be relaxed. If I stress about how much milk is coming out, it won't come out as well. My lactation consultant also says that baby is the best pump and they will ALWAYS get more than we can pump. As long as they are gaining weight, its good.

Answer 10

I was never able to pump enough to even cover the bottom of the bottle with milk. It's called "pump resistance." The amount you can or can't pump has nothing at all to do with your supply. I successfully breastfed my daughter (still going at 18 months, hoping that she'll stop soon before I just cut them off and give them to her), even though I never could pump.

Diaper counts are a much more accurate indicator of how well you're producing for your baby.

Other moms will have good suggestions on how to pump more, but none of them ever worked for me.