Pumping Problems at Work (XP on Breastfeeding)
Apr 7, 2015 15:39:09 GMT -5
Post by dashook on Apr 7, 2015 15:39:09 GMT -5
Hi all! I'm EBF but starting to pump a lot more now that I'm back at work, and am hoping some of you veteran pumping ladies might have some advice or input from a similar experience.
Tl; dr: when I pump at work, one side or the other yields barely any milk and I am suffering painful engorgement/plugged ducts as a result.
Yesterday was my first day back at work from maternity leave, and I pumped twice. Before the second time I noticed that my right breast was really hard and sore, and I only managed to pump out one (very watery-looking) ounce from it in 20 minutes (while the left one yielded a perfectly milky 3.5 oz). The right one got worse and worse throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening; LO was fast asleep until 9 p.m. after his first day at daycare and I couldn't bring myself to wake him so I used warm compresses and tried not to move too much until he finally woke up and nursed the pain right out of me.
Everything was normal with his nursing overnight and this morning before daycare. But when I set up to pump at work at 9:30, I noticed I was now having the same problem again, only this time on the left side. My right side was back to producing its normal 4 oz. while the left gave me only one watery ounce. Terrified of another excrutiating afternoon, I used my lunch break to drive to the daycare center to nurse him in the middle of the day. My left breast doesn't feel hard and painful, but just now when I pumped, it was the same damn thing again with the one ounce (although this time it looked normal and not watery).
What gives?! Is this more likely an issue with my body or with my pump? I'm worried about my supply taking a hit if this keeps up, especially since LO is apparently taking about 16 oz. a day at daycare.
ETF weird formatting.
Tl; dr: when I pump at work, one side or the other yields barely any milk and I am suffering painful engorgement/plugged ducts as a result.
Yesterday was my first day back at work from maternity leave, and I pumped twice. Before the second time I noticed that my right breast was really hard and sore, and I only managed to pump out one (very watery-looking) ounce from it in 20 minutes (while the left one yielded a perfectly milky 3.5 oz). The right one got worse and worse throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening; LO was fast asleep until 9 p.m. after his first day at daycare and I couldn't bring myself to wake him so I used warm compresses and tried not to move too much until he finally woke up and nursed the pain right out of me.
Everything was normal with his nursing overnight and this morning before daycare. But when I set up to pump at work at 9:30, I noticed I was now having the same problem again, only this time on the left side. My right side was back to producing its normal 4 oz. while the left gave me only one watery ounce. Terrified of another excrutiating afternoon, I used my lunch break to drive to the daycare center to nurse him in the middle of the day. My left breast doesn't feel hard and painful, but just now when I pumped, it was the same damn thing again with the one ounce (although this time it looked normal and not watery).
What gives?! Is this more likely an issue with my body or with my pump? I'm worried about my supply taking a hit if this keeps up, especially since LO is apparently taking about 16 oz. a day at daycare.
ETF weird formatting.