The breast pump I have is not working for me.?

Question

It dosn't seem to create a tight enough seal. I decided to express by hand but I can't seem to get that going good either. When I try some of it squirts out but most of it just trickles down my breast in turn missing the bottle. Does anyone have any helpful hints for expressing my milk? I don't want to put my daughter on formula yet and I am leaving her for about 5 hours tomorrow for the first time. She is 5 weeks and I don't want to introduce formula unless absolutely necessary. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

If you have a cheap breast pump, there's your problem there. I would suggest a pump that costs at least $250. You get what you pay for with pumps. When I needed one, I rented from a hospital supply place. Contact the hospital where you had the baby, and ask for a recommendation. You can rent the pump, and then you purchase the parts and pieces that come into contact with your skin/milk/bottles.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. I was trying to get enough breast milk to mix in my daughters cereal when she was 6 months old. I had a cheap hand pump that I would get NOTHING from. It took me an hour to get 2 oz. It was to stressful, and not worth doing it.

I would recommend if you have time. (and the money) go get a slightly better one. I know I didn't spend the money, because I would not be leaving my daughter enough to worry about it. But, if not, you can express some. You may not get enough for a full feeding. But, the person watching your daughter might be able to mix it with the formula and get enough to feed your daughter.

One way I found to express enough milk was to relax!! I think that is the most important part. What I did was go and take a bath. Before you start, message your breasts a bit. That will help get the milk flowing a bit. Then sitting in a warm bath, express into a cup, Then next to you keep an empty bottle next to you, so the cup does not get to full.

Also, when she gets the bottle, make sure it is one that is meant for babies who are nursing. It should be very hard for the baby to get the milk out. That way she won't get used to the easyness of a bottle.

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

Tell your husband that you will need his help. Have him hold the pump while you position your breast with both hands. Your milk ducts that really work good are on the side of the breast that's closer to your under arm. massage it first to stimulate the ducts, and then milk as if milking a cow. Have your husband stay steady with the pump, and you force your breast inside, and keep moving it around until your nipple is practically one with the pump. You want to feel a bit of pain that way you know it will soon work. If that doesn't work then use the same method, but let your husband hold the bottle steady so that you don't waste it. Only express milk from each breast for 15 mins. Then take a break, wait about an hour or 2, and try it again. Good Luck

Answer 4

I totally don't blame you for not wanting to use formula yet. If you don't need to, then there's no reason to. I don't know what kind of pump you are using, but it should create a tight enough seal. My pump was very tight, almost to the point of painful. After a while, my breasts got used to it and it didn't hurt at all. I don't know if you have time to go out and buy another pump before tomorrow, but that might work. The pump I used was a manual one (as opposed to an electric one). It was an Avent Isis pump with 2 bottles included. It worked really well. Target carries it and I'm sure other stores do too. Good luck.

Answer 5

Try having the pump attached to one breast while pumping from the other, even if the seal is not great, the let down from the nursing side can help you get a little more milk. Just for the rest of today and in the morning so you have enough to leave her with.

The Marmet Technique of manual milk expression works for many... I'm not sure how you've been trying to do it manually, but this method might help.

http://www.lactationinstitute.org/MANUALEX.html
or
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/faq/manualexpres.html

if this does not work, hopefully your budget will allow you to pick up a new pump. Medela has a good manual one that works great and isn't nearly as pricey as their double electric.

At 5 weeks, and only leaving her for 5 hours...if you get 4oz that should hold her for 2 small feedings while you're gone, just be ready to latch her on before you can drop your keys when you get back!!

Good luck :)

Answer 6

The right breast pump can make a huge difference in how successful your pumping session will be. Since you have to leave her tomorrow, I would suggest getting in touch with someone at La Leche today to get help right away. They may be able to give you suggestions on how to make the pump you have work for you or they might be able to direct you to a source where you can rent a quality electric pump until you get things worked out with your current pump. A manual pump is not as effective as an electric pump and a duel pump works the best. The horn on your pump might be too big. If that is the case, you can get an insert that goes inside the horn to make it fit your body a little more closely. Check the box your pump came in for information. Maybe it's something simple that can be corrected by a call to the manufacturer.
Good luck to you and congratulations on breastfeeding your daughter.

Answer 7

Make sure of course that your breast is clean of any oils from your skin.Try moistening the lip of the pump before putting it on. Also try leaning forward while keeping the pump pressed against you tightly.You may need some help to do this.Sometimes pressing on or breast while using the pump helps too.It just takes practice.If your able to express by hand I'm sure you'll be able to use the pump.Just be patient and take your time.

Answer 8

When I was breastfeeding I had an Avent manual pump that I couldn't get to work for me... I switched to a Medela electric pump and it worked much better... Short of getting another pump I'm not sure what to tell you, but you might want to start with a warm washcloth to help the milk let down easier... Maybe try putting your breast in a funnel?? Good luck...

Answer 9

I dont' know what type of pump you have, but make sure all the parts are correctly and tightly sealed, sometimes it's as simple as having a membrane loose and not creating the suction needed. If you can't find the problem, then contact your local WIC office, they have hospital grade pumps that will help you dramatically. All I do is pump for my four month old and I used a Medela Lactina and it's amazing. I don't think you have to be on WIC to get one of the breast pumps, they aren't to keep but you'll have it as long as you need it. Good luck!

Answer 10

i had aterrible time pumping too it always would start out gushing and after like 2 minutes there would be almost nothing. even when he nursed direct i always had trouble so i only breastfed for the first 2 months then put totally on formula. i know people told me evrything from tea bags for sore nipples to eating fresh alfalfa to up milk production. hope it all works out, try taking warm shower right before you pump it might help.