Pumping Problems at Work (XP on Breastfeeding)

[dashook]

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.

[Widget123]

This is just a guess but I would suspect your part pieces aren't put together right on one side and whatever side you pump using those parts isn't fully draining / expressing because of it. If you start having the same problem again, empty your one side that is working and then switch the working parts to the other side and see if that will allow you to empty that side. If that works, you might need to replace some of your parts or re-read your owners manual, maybe even call customer support.

[dashook]

Widget123, thanks! I actually have a spare set of parts and tubes for the pump, so I brought those with me today and am crossing my fingers that it fixes the problem.

[raechay]

How did it go? My first thought was also an equipment issue, especially since it alternated sides. Have you been doing compressions during pumping? Do you notice if one side is getting suction while the other isn't?

[dashook]

Apr 15, 2015 2:03:14 GMT -5 raechay said:

How did it go? My first thought was also an equipment issue, especially since it alternated sides. Have you been doing compressions during pumping? Do you notice if one side is getting suction while the other isn't?

Thanks for asking!  Turns out it was an equipment issue. I mean, it looked like both sides were getting suction but for whatever reason one side just wasn't doing its job to drain the boob.  I changed the parts out for my spare set and haven't had any further issues.  Very relieved!