Pumping Not Working

For a long time my son was one Ritalin for ADD, and with that came a lack of appetite. So what I did was make him milk shakes, I baked cakes and cookies for him and let him eat cereal in between meals. He did put on weight, and it helped a lot.
Another thing is that his appetite will increase as he gets older. My son is now 17 and is tall and is at a decent height and weight for his age.

As several mentioned, continue pumping after you think you're done to stimulate the 2nd let-down. This will give you the additional milk you're looking for. Also relax and drink more fluids when you know you will be pumping to help with this.

When I pumped, I found that massaging my breast while it was pumping made more milk come out. Good luck!

I seriously considered becoming a lactation specialist. But, here's why you're not producing as much. You are only pumping from one breast because your son prefers the other. You're going to have to get him to start liking the other breast. The baby's mouth massages the nipple in such a way that a pump can never replicate. This particular massaging creates a chemical reacion in your body called prolactin which is the chemical that makes you lactate. If the baby's mouth does not do the massaging, then the chemical will NOT be produced and your body will not make enough milk. Especially since you're only doing it with one breast. Your boobs "think" that the baby is not sucking from that breast and so making milk on that side is unneccessary, and it will dry up. Start forcing your baby to drink from the other side and your body will start to create more milk on that side.

I had a lot of pumping issues. I tried 3 different pumps before I found one that would work for me and even then I would only get 2 oz. per side at the most! Medela didn't work for me or Evenflo. I ended up liking the Platex pump the best. It's $200 though at Babies R Us!

Then, I had my appendix out when I was nursing my second and I had to pump using the hospital's machine and I couldn't believe how much came out and how fast! You can rent pumps from the hospital for less than $30 a month. It's really cheap and sometimes covered by insurance. Sorry I don't know the specifics. If we ever have another, I will go that route for sure. Nothing is more frustrating than sitting there for 30 minutes watching the milk dribble out! GOOD LUCK!

I know this is going to sound radical but when I was pumping my doctor told me to drink a beer the night before as that helps to produce more milk. I too was a stay at home mom and only pumped if I knew I was going to be away the following day. Good luck.

Be sure to pump right when you wake up. You're fullest then. Your baby can nurse after you're done pumping. He'll be able to get out enough even after you've pumped. Be sure you drink lots of water and are getting enough sleep - both critical for milk production.

The actual pump can make a huge difference. The Medela Pump In Style Advanced worked best for me. Some women have to go to a hospital grade pump. You can rest those.

Also, sometimes you need some help with let down when you pump. Often times a picture of your baby to look at helps. You could even record the sound of his hunger cry.

Massaging, warmth, Fenugreek are all good ideas as well.

Good luck!

Medela also makes a pump called "Swing" which is great for PT pumping bc it still has the dual action (faster til you let down, then slower just like your baby nurses) but it retails for only $150. I got one because I needed a serious pump but $300 was a lot to justify for our PT daycare situation.

Apply hot rags and press them on your breasts, also try to massage them to to loosen your milk glands. RELAX when you pump.

What kind of pump? I am just weaning my one year old twins. I work full time and didn't need fomula (except when I was out of town). I LOVE and HIGHLY recommend the Medela Pump and Style ADVANCE. I have heard from several mom's who had different brands etc. and DITCHED IT for a Medela Pump and Style Advance. Check out Craig's list for a better deal or e bay.

Hi M.,

I have had trouble pumping to keep up with my kids, too. I have a couple ideas that may help you. I have 3 kids and work part time (just so you know a bit about me and my experience). First, you may want to consider massaging your breast just before and during pumping, if you are not already. It might also help to have pictures of your son, or even video of him to watch to help stimulate milk flow. A phone call to hear his coos and gurgles may also work. Maybe your hubby could even be with you to talk about your son to stimulate the hormones. I have also had greater success puimping with the Avent Isis hand pump vs. the Medela electric pump....something about the sound did not let me relax enough to "let it all flow." Be sure you are in a room with secure privacy, so you are not concerned someone will walk in. A warm compress, like a beanbag with corn in it heated in the microwave or a wet washcloth, can help, too. Just some thoughts that may help you out.

If its not just the pumping part, or if you are going to be pumping more than nursing, you may want to try Motherlove More Milk Plus, which was recommended to me by a lactation consultant. It is availabloe online (cheapest at Lucky Vitamin.com) and at Whole Foods stores. The capsule is definitely the way to go, as the liquid is horribly bitter. Good luck to you!

W.

Some women just don't have a lot of luck pumping for whatever reason. I have a friend who has three boys, has breastfed all of them, and while she's always had a more than ample supply, has not been able to produce much milk with an electric pump. La Leche League recommends hand pumping if using an electric is not working. Sometimes just using your own hands, and having that skin contact instead of a plastic funnel helps with stimulation and expression. You can check the LLL website or contact a leader in your area for more information.
The other suggestions moms have had about warm rags and relaxing are great, too. I've also heard of people making a recording of their baby crying or making noise, and then listening to it while pumping to help with let down.
Good luck!!

Hi, just curious how many minutes do you pump? This happened to me with my first child. I would have to pump for about 20 minutes or until I felt the second let down. Then I felt relief. Hope this helps.

It might be your pump. I think a quality pump is key. I would try a hospital grade if don't have one. Medela I found is a good brand and has lots of good feedback. If you do have one...I have no idea!!!:0) Sorry!

I breastfed three of my children, basically with little or no planning to do so - just seemed natural, and chose to do it - then became committed! As per a lactation consultant of the LaLeche League, I tried an herb - was down to one ounce on each side - then tried 'fenugreek' and brought it up to 6-8 ounces per side! Also, pumping more frequently, especially in the first morning hours - and then every two hours after that - kept milk a flowing!

You are probably a little stressed and therefore your let down reflex isn't working that well. Try warm washcloths. It might help!

Like others have said, I would recommend using a Medela pump, if you are not already. If you don't plan on making this a regular thing and your pumping is working otherwise, I wouldn't worry about the pump. In general it really helps to get as relaxed as you possibly can and think about your baby nursing. When I was pumping at work I always kept a photo of my son nearby, so I had no problem with my let-down. It probably would not hurt to start drinking more water either. I found that when I was not drinking about eight or more 8 oz glasses of water a day, I would not produce as much milk. Putting warm wash clothes over your breasts when you are pumping can also help the milk to let down easier. Good luck!! I know pumping can be a lot of work and effort, but it so worth it for you little guy!!

Many years ago when I was a full-time working mom. I would nurse my little one on my lunch hour at the babysitter's. I still needed to have an 8 oz bottle for her in the afternoon. When I got home from work I would nurse her and at the same time I would pump the other side. It flowed faster and more abundantly when I did that. I would then refridgerate it for the next afternoon's bottle for her. Doing that helped me maintain my milk supply until I weaned her at 10 months. Good luck and bless you for nursing her. The bonding is well worth it.

With my third child I experienced the same problem. It took longer for my milk to let down pumping. I could easily pump 3-4 oz, but it took much longer for the rest to let down and actually get the 8-10 oz out. I found that if I tried to hurry the stress just kept it from happening. Find a way to relax as much as possible. I found that taking a hot shower helped right before pumping. If I did not have enough time for this I would put a warm wash cloth over my chest and massage my nipples first. Drink plenty of fluids too. If I did not drink enough I could not produce enough or get it to let down as easily. They say 10 glasses of water a day, but I was drinking much more. Just keep a glass or water bottle with you and drink all the time. Good Luck.

i had the same situation. stayed at home so i didn't need to pump enough for my brests to say, "showtime" for the machine. i went back and forth between breasts several times during pumping. when one seemed finised i went to the other, then back. and suprise, the original breast continued to produce while i was on the other side. i also had better results if i massaged and gently squeezed my breast during pumping, especially the underside. i pressed the pump in or out and moved around in a circular motion until i found a duct that was full. repeated each time the flow slowed. hope this works for you, too. this method also caused my production to skyrocket, so beware.

Pumping never worked for me! I had the same problem and it caused me to quit nursing during the day when I went back to work with my first. With my second I was a SAHM and never left him so I was able to go 13 months. Whenever I had to pump I would hardly get a thing and then become engorged in like an hour after the pumping. It was so frustrating. I love nursing, but because pumping didn't work I couldn't get away. Some people say it is psychological and you have to really concentrate on thinking of your baby and maybe bring a tape of their cry, etc. I tried everything and it didn't work for me even with the best pump on the market. Good luck, I hope you find something that works. My theory: Some boobs are pumpable and some aren't. All my friends were cows. They had freezers overflowing with milk they pumped and could get the job done fast. I was so jealous! LOL :)

I found this happening with my second child. Honestly, I just couldn't "let down" with the pump very well. It was painful and took forever. I just was stressed and though I could pump a few ounces it became increasingly hard to let down. The only thing that seemd to help was only pumping when I wasn't at all stressed (i.e. when I had little time or was worried). Pumps are tough. I wish you the best of luck...and make sure you are able to let down, or it is increasingly frustrating and painful.

I always found an electric pump to work better. I use Medula. It just is better than a hand pump. Otherwise, warm compresses helped too - although not easy to do. Make sure you are relaxed as that will affect it to.

I had a similar problem when I pumped. A couple of the things that were suggested to me were to have a picture of your little cherub there. That did help me "let down" a little easier. Another thing that they suggested was an herb called Fenugreek. It's available at health stores. It helps increase your milk supply. They also told me to massage my breasts before pumping to help them let down fully. I know how busy it can get and when you can't relax or focus on your baby it's harder. Good luck!

I pumped for 11 1/2 months and if you pump more often and for at least ahalf an hour it should build up your milk supply. even after lets say 5 min there is nothing coming out still go for ahalf an hour that tells you body oh I need to make more milk and the type of pump makes a differance also I like the medela brand. hope this helps

Hi M.,
What a beautiful name!! If you truely want to continue nursing there are many things that you might try. Try to use a warm/hot washcloth to help you with a letdown of your milk. Also You may try more often to nurse on each side during the feeding or alternate each feeding and pump on the other side as you are doing. You might also consider pumping more often as our milk is supply and demand. I believe that you may find a lot more answers by checking with the La Leche League. There are also many other Support Groupls out there for Breast Feeding Momma's ;D
Enjoy your little one! And Best of Luck to You..
God bless you all!
T. <><
Loving old Meme ;D

Hi M.,

I pumped for over a year with all 3 of my boys, none of them were ever able to latch on to me properly.

The best advice I can give:
Pump when you have the time to, take it as a break for yourself, do some magazine reading or tv watching that you normally do not get a chance to do.

Only pump when someone is available to watch the baby, it gets way to stressful if you try to do both yourself.

I alsways started the pump on a lowere setting to ease the discomfort, then increased it to full bore on both frequency and suction.

Pump one side first, switch to the other side, then GO BACK to the first side, more milk has some in while you were pumping the other. During the pump is when you massage your breast, and go all the way back to under your arms and sqeeze forward, your body just has to get use to it.

If you can set up a schedule for both the baby and the pump that will help your body regulate also.

In the end I was able to train my body to allow me to pump only in the morning and in the evening, and I would produce enough milk to be able to give only breastmilk to my babies until they were 14 months old each.

Best of luck, and Belss you for trying to do what is best for the babe!!

Angela

SAHM to Max 6, Aiden 4, Owen 2 and 2 exchange students ages 16 and 17 from Korea and Vietnam

If you feel your milk supply goes down you can use an herbal supplement called Phenugreek. Check with your Dr. first. It helps with milk supply. Pump and Style Electric pumps are wonderful and try to pump a little longer to see if you can get that second let down. Also, avoid caffeine (decreases milk supply). I have heard of baby's that prefer the one breast over the other. Hang in there.

Hi there! I have found that squeezing the breast as I am pumping always gets a little more out. If I still feel as though there is milk left in the breast, I will also hand express as much as I can out. You may want to try a different pump too. Some pumps work better than others for certain people. The best pump I ever had was an Evenflow electric/battery operated pump. The way this one worked is it literally sucked until I released the pressure via the press of a button. Then the suction would start all over again, and not stop until I pressed the button. The one I have right now is on loan from the WIC office. Granted it is an industrial (and very expensive) pump, I still have to squeeze my breasts as I pump for it to be most effective for me. I hope this information helps.

B.

You may need to consider applying a warm heat pad prior to pumping. I found it helped my milk come down better when I was pumping if I would hold a heat pad around my chest for a few min prior to attempting to pump.

First of all...great job on the effort of nursing, you are definitely doing what is best for your baby. I too only get about 3-4 oz at a time nursing and my baby eats 6 easily as well. What I have found is if I lean forward while pumping, letting gravity help me out and change the settings on the pump to change it up, that often helps. Also, I try to pump everyday (even the days I don't work) after I nurse her, especially in the morning, when I have more milk. This way, my body gets used to pumping and I have a little stored for the days I do have to go to work. I pump at work at LEAST 2 times in an 8 hour period, breaking my lunch breaks into two 1/2 hour segments instead of one long one. Also, taking a deep breath and really relaxing helps me too. Good luck!

You're right, it's normal to get much more out of one side than the other. However, if you are still feeling full I think there is probably more in there. I used to let the pump continue, even with no milk coming out, for another few minutes. Many times my breast would start producing milk again. Also, I've heard this can stimulate it to produce more in the future, even if it doesn't begin again during that pumping session.

Make sure you are relaxed as well. If you are in an uncomfortable setting or are nervous about pumping, this can slow down production. Good luck!

Hi, I'd say you are doing great with the pumping. Focusing on what you think you should be getting is not going to help you get more out. If you feel that there is more milk to be obtained, are you stressing because you need to get back to work? Stress intereferes with the let-down/milk ejection reflex. Also, your baby will generally take more from a bottle. How old is your baby? While I'm not an advocate for introducing solids early, is your baby old enough for juice or solids to make up the difference in your milk supply while you are working?