Trouble with Pumping

When I saw my milk supply diminishing, I just started pumping for longer periods of time -- about 20-25 minutes at a time -- and after a few days I noticed my milk supply increasing. I keep my pump next to the computer and hook the shields into my bra and read emails, etc. to pass time while I pump. Good luck!

Perhaps if you could try to relax while you are pumping. What worked for me was flipping through a magazine ( People, Rolling Stone, something non baby) or even talking on the phone ( that can get a little tricky) -- anything to take my mind off how much milk I was expressing. Also, you have to get enough rest too. I know that is hard to do but it does make a difference. Good luck.

I have tried the herbal supplement Fenugreek. I got this secret from the lactation consultant where my son was born. It has helped some. You can get it at any health food store or at GNC. It contains lots of fiber and my baby has had some gas, but gas drops help that.

Are you pumping more and nursing less? I think your production will decrease if your pumping exceeds actual baby to boob time. And I think if you only pump the supply will eventually dwindle away completely. Just a thought.

I find the best time to pump is first thing in the morning. My supply us plentiful then and it seems to decrease as the days goes on. I don't even bother pumping in the evening because I don't get enough to make it worth my while.

Make sure your getting enough rest and drinking plenty. Stress can slow down your process as well. I'm not sure how often your pumping? I had that problem, I just kept pumping at my desinated times and somehow I had enough milk for the next day. Are you freezing any of your milk? There were times when I had to give my daughter formula and alternate with the breast milk.

make sure you're getting a good seal between the pump and your breast, if not the "sucking" action will not be a strong. smetimes i had to moistin my breast with a little milk to make sure there was a good seal. also make sure that your nipple and arealo are well positioned into the little cup thingy so that your ducts are stimulated properly. the pump has to be "latched on" correctly jsut like the baby does for maximum production.

I know it sounds crazy, but look at a photo of the baby when you pump. It always helped me to think about the baby when I pumped. Make sure that you are getting enough rest and fluids. Try to pump at the same time that the baby nurses on the weekend.

I used to pump in the restroom at the DA's Office. I never got much milk on the days I was in court. I got much more milk when I pumped in my office with the door locked. Pump in a location that you feel comfortable in.

There is more than one kind of pump. After four kids I thought that the best pump was the one that I rented from LaLeche. It was the kind that they used in the hospitals.

If you are pumping after the baby has eaten, then your baby is probably getting bigger and using more of your milk. If you are only getting 3-4 ounces pumping instead of a feeding try this: After each feeding with the baby pump each breast for an extra 10-15 minutes. This will tell your body that supply is high, and your body is designed to make more if they are being used more. (I was able to pump 7-8 ounces after my daughter breast feed using this trick) If this doesn't work talk to the babies doctor. They will also advise you on "tricks of the trade" for keeping your milk supply at the right amount.

Your child is drinking more. Waite a while and your production will increase with your child's demands. Just keep pumping and feeding. Try drinking a lot more milk and dairy products. Water is always good, but your dairy is essential. Fenugreek at Vitamin shop has worked wonders for many. Fresh papaya shake with milk only, no icecream, worked for me.

Good luck and God bless,

My friend recommends the following:

Extra rest (even to have others take the children so Mom can sleep)
Extra water ( 1 -1 1/2 c. water each nursing time) * the Mothers weight divided by two and that is the number of ounces to drink each day
Two let downs each nursing (can pump out second one and give to baby by bottle)
Pump when baby is sleeping
Eat well
Mother's Milk tea (I use the Traditional Medicine brand) Fenugreek

There are other things to try, but doing the basics are prerequisites.

It's unusual for you to all of a sudden have a "milk shortage" so long as baby nurses and your pumping schedule doesn't change. Maybe "Aunt Flo" is coming back? That can temporarily affect output. How's your pump working? I used the Medela Pump in Style and remember the first time I *thought* I had a milk shortage. Then someone suggested I change the little rubber membranes on my pump and that made all the difference. They are supposed to be changed often and I never knew.

Check out this link titled "HELP! I'm not pumping enough milk!" from kellymom.com. I know there are tons of mommy and nursing sites out there, but I promise you this one is the best, has tons of FACT BASED research and the forums are moderated by pros so you don't get junk advice.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Hi Yvonna,

I pumped from the time my baby was 6 weeks old because I went back to work, and just stopped completely this past week. My son will be 1 on the 20th, so take it from someone who pumped a lot b/c my son would barely nurse at all once I went back to work...Your output can vary a lot. Mine varied greatly just depending on what time of day I was pumping. Also, about the time I was ovulating until my period started, my supply would go way down. Then after my period the supply would go back up for about 1/2 month, then ovulation would hit again. Have you recently started your period back or do you suspect that you are about to?

Have you tried messaging your breast while you are pumping, or at the least take breaks from pumping, then start back again. When I pumped I would push and squeeze (gently of course) every drop I could get out of my breast. Many times you can find what I call pressue points in your breast...that when you push in certain places, the milk comes out faster. Also, fenugreek, alfalfa, and mothers milk plus did help me to pump more. Eventually I had to use Reglan because my supply really did drop dramatically.

My other suggestion is that maybe your breast are just getting used to the pump. Are you all the way up on suction and speed? If you are, you may have to use another pump for a little while. I had three...Medelas Pump in Style, the Playtex Embrace, and the Medela Swing. I would rotate between them to try and ward off my breast getting used to them. Maybe you have a friend who has a different pump you can borrow or switch for a couple of weeks?

Hopefully any of this will help.

Hi, I used to pump almost 18 oz AT ONE TIME! my doctor called me a 'little heffer".

I experienced a "diminish" because of a clogged milk duct that eventually turned into mastitis...not fun. Do you have any lumps? or sore places? you may have a clog.

In order to get my production back up, the doctro prescribed Milk Thistle and Fenugreek. Both can be purchased at GNC. THey are natural herbs that promote milk production.

HOpe you get it back up. (I was pumping that obsene ammount before those two suppliments.... i didn't want you to thinkt hat I had artificially jacked up my milk production :)

There are some herbals you can take to increase your milk supply. I had to take them at several different times when breast feeding my 3. Go to GNC and ask them they can help you.

Mint, sage, and parsley can decrease your milk supply.

Stress is a factor. I would try to take deep breaths and think of my baby sleeping in my arms. That would help with the let down. Some people say a half glass of wine, some say fenugreek tea.

Are you pumping at the same time of day? When my son went to morning daycare, and I started pumping mid-morning, my yield at that time went down as well. I felt like the pump was not as efficient as my son at getting the milk out. I had a good pump and could get good amounts at other times, but it seemed like the regular pumping at a certain time of day caused reduced production. Good luck with this--I know it can be frustrating.

massage your breast and out hot compresses on them when pumping. thats what i had to do

Maybe he is eating to much on weekends try letting him stay with nana for a weekend and see if Monday morning you don't pump more.

I love you

Sis

Try pumping on one side while you're nursing on the other. When your baby is there and nursing it may be easier for you to 'let down'. Otherwise make sure you are in a quiet room and focusing on pumping and not multi -tasking while trying to pump. Good Luck!

You won't get the same amount of milk from pumping that your child will naturally be able to suck out. It's just the way things are. Stress can also decrease your milk production. Is your child on solid foods? Taking away a "milk meal" and replacing it with the solids will also decrease your milk supply. When my milk supply decreased, I added an extra pump session an hour after I pumped last. It didn't increase the milk production per se, but I did get an extra couple of ounces. If you're working full-time, your body naturally knows your baby isn't nursing at this time and will decrease the amount of milk it produces at that time; but it will make milk for your baby as he/she needs it. Your breasts are never empty as long as you are nursing. They even still have milk up to one year after you stop nursing all together. Stay at home moms usually dont' have this problem b/c they're always nursing; but working mom's have this problem more often then we think and they often stop nursing when baby starts solids simply b/c their milk supply has decreased. I'd keep up with the pumping and even add an extra pumping time in if you can to get more milk for your baby. It may also help to have a picture of your baby nursing with you or a recording of her nursing; these simple things help a mother remember the feeling, touch, and sounds of nursing and may help your milk let down and flow better. Good luck!!

I had that problem. I worked full time while I was nursing. I think if you stress out about it it gets worse. I would try not to think about it and if you have to supplement with formula that is not the end of the world. I thought it was at the time so i would pump all of the time. That was really crazy of me. I wish I wouldn't have done that. It stressed everyone out!!

Are you using your pump right? I know this may sound dumb but I didnt know there was a right and a wrong way of useing the pump. You want to make sure that both speeds are as strong as they can go because when you baby first gets on that how they start out 'strong sucking' this will then make your milk drop, after awhile you can then turn it down a bit. I know also my breasts sometimes just dont want to give up my milk for the pump, very frustrating at times. stress can play a part in it and Im to hear your drinking plenty of water. Also maybe you milk supplie has gone down so thats why your not getting out as much as you use to.

good luck!

Yvonna,

Are you soley pumping or do you also nurse? If you only pump then it is normal for a slight diminish in you milk. What you need to do is if it does not go back up in a couple of days then start pumping every 2 - 2 1/2 hours. You can also take Fennugreek (as long as you are not diabetic). You take 2 at every meal ( a total of 6 a day). You will smell like maple syrup, but that is normal. It means you are taking enough. Hope this helps. Good luck.

one of the best sites I have found for nursing moms is kellymom.com. There is a ton of info there. Things you want to consider are: where are you pumping, what time of day are you pumping, are you pumping while nursing (it can help increase the amount), how long have you been nursing, how often do you pump etc. All of these things can affect how much milk you can actually pump.

When my daughter was first born I could pump 8 oz at a time, about 4 times a day. By the time she was 6 months I was lucky to get 2 oz. My body just didnt respond well to the pump like it did her nursing, and by the time she had reached 6 months old, my supply had evened out to meet her demands.

If you go to Kellymom, you should be able to find the right answer for you though.

Good luck!