Trying to pump... Frustrated and need advice

[ahayden1230]

I recently started pumping in the morning after I feed my little guy.... Well he takes from both sides
And I am not getting anything when I pump. Any suggestions? Should I wait longer and not do it right after? Am I not running the pump long enough? Yesterday and this morning I was not able to get anything. I want him to start having a bottle a day from dad to prepare for when I go back to work and I'm not sure how to do this now if I'm not able to pump anything. Feeling frustrated and upset.

[ellabee]

Don't be discouraged! It took me a while to get the hang of adding pumping to my crazy newborn care routine.

I think it's super common not to get much or any at all those first couple of times. My LC recommended that I pump ~1 hr after a morning feeding. If you keep at it, eventually that pumping session will tell your body to produce more. I did 15ish minutes even if I wasn't getting much. Try to relax and allow your letdown to happen. I always tried to be in the same room and looking at LO when I first started pumping.

I also saved .25oz here and there until I had enough for a 3 oz bottle then DH gave it to LO and I pumped enough to replace the whole feeding. It took a while to save up enough, but then we did one replaced feeding a day until LO was comfortable with the bottle. This helped me be less nervous about going back to work.

In short, keep at it. Try not to stress about it too much. Hang in there. You will find what works for you. Good luck!

[flcl]

You just had LO right? (Sorry on mobile and can't see siggies.). It's totally normal to get very little if anything at all in the beginning. Pumping is my least favorite part of BF, it can be so stressful! I waited till 3 weeks pp to start and I pumped at night before bed for 15mins. The morning pump just didn't work for us. Hang in here and try to relax, it will get easier!

[ahayden1230]

My LO is 5 weeks old and I just started pumping last week. thanks for the encouragement. I'm hoping this gets easier... I never thought to have him in the room.

[judyblume14]

Hang in there. I started pumping around 4 weeks, and didn't produce much at first. Try pumping about an hour after your LO's morning feed. Make sure you're hydrated and have eaten breakfast! Are you pumping for at least 20 minutes?

Also, if you're not finding yourself having success in the morning, try pumping at a different time.

Hopefully, it's just a learning curve thing, and you'll get the hang of it in no time!

[babycaps]

And check on the fit of your pumping parts. Is the nipple being properly stimulated? Is the breast shield (flange) too big? too small?
Do you have the membranes in place correctly?

This will help: www.medela.com/IW/en/breastfeeding/good-to-know/right-size-of-breastshield.html

[rmg5020]

Along with all the pp, I also used a heating pad at first. It seemed to help my letdown

[Deleted]

Lots of moms struggle when they first start trying to pump cause pumping for a cold hard pump is totally different than nursing a cute little baby.

If you don't get anything-It often has to do with let down--to help with that wait a bit after feeding, experiement with timing a bit. Then put a warmed rice sock or warm washcloths on the breasts for a few minutes, unhooked bra flaps and bend over at the waist and give the breasts a bit of a shake and give them a massage. Look at baby, or pics of baby, video, audio, listen to baby cry. a bit of an emotional response can trigger let down.

Don't set suction too high. Too high will temporarily collapse milk ducts so no milk can come out. set suction til it's a bit uncomfy and then turn it down. use the let down feature on your pump.

Be consistent, get your body to come to expect that "nursing session" with the pump and you'll make milk for that time of day.

[theresat858]

Have you tried pumping one side while nursing the other? This can help "train"your body to let down for the pump. I find it easiest with a manual pump (medela harmony), but I did it every day for 10 months with my double electric with dD1 (I hadn't discovered the magic that is a manual pump then). For the double electric, you need a hands free nursing bra made from a v-neck "nursing sleep" bra (cut holes over the nipples) so you can put the pump flange through one side and pull the other side down to nurse the baby.

[ellabee]

Feb 9, 2015 19:47:32 GMT -5 theresat858 said:

I hadn't discovered the magic that is a manual pump then

Hahahaha yes! Totally this. I originally thought - manual huh?...must be more work. But in reality, it may have been easier and less intimidating to start with a manual. I just remember staring at my double electric and all of the parts and picking it up and putting it down several times before I could find enough time and courage for my first pumping session. I now recommend to all my new mom friends to get a manual in addition to their double electric. My manual has also saved me in a bunch of situations where I couldn't bring my big noisy electric along.

[fish8412]

Don't give up! Pumping is a lot of work and it takes time for your body to respond to the pump. I first started pumping when LO was around 5 weeks as well. I would just get a few drops at first and it was so frustrating. But I kept at it and after 2 or so weeks I was able to pump 2-3 ounces from one side. Here are some tips.

1. See a LC and pump for her. She can tell you if your pump is a good fit or not. (I did this and found out that my double electric wasn't the greatest fit. I got a manual pump and it has been awesome.)
2. Make sure you are eating and drinking enough. Drink lots of water and eat lactation cookies.
3. Pump in the middle of the night (this is when your output is the greatest). I know it's the last thing you want to do, but it really helps boost your supply.
4. Pump multiple times a day...every day (even if LO isn't going to get a bottle every day). This will boost supply and you can start building a freezer stash.
5. It's important to remember that dry pumping (pumping and not getting any milk) signals production. So keep pumping even if you aren't getting anything.
6. Hang in there! It will get easier.

[fish8412]

Feb 9, 2015 20:03:00 GMT -5 ellabee said:

Feb 9, 2015 19:47:32 GMT -5 theresat858 said:

I hadn't discovered the magic that is a manual pump then

Hahahaha yes! Totally this. I originally thought - manual huh?...must be more work. But in reality, it may have been easier and less intimidating to start with a manual. I just remember staring at my double electric and all of the parts and picking it up and putting it down several times before I could find enough time and courage for my first pumping session. I now recommend to all my new mom friends to get a manual in addition to their double electric. My manual has also saved me in a bunch of situations where I couldn't bring my big noisy electric along.

My manual is way better than my double electric.  I only used my double electric a handful of times in the beginning before permanently switching to my Avent manual.  It has been awesome for me.