My LO is 3.5 weeks old, and so far breastfeeding has been going well. She eats every hour or two around the clock and is almost 2 pounds over her birthweight already. Today I decided to try pumping for the first time - after LO block fed from my left breast, I pumped from my right for 20 minutes with my Medela Freestyle. I didn't even get enough milk to cover the bottom of the bottle!! 
It was so discouraging, and now I'm anxious that I won't be able to keep EBF after I return to work. Any tips or advice on increasing pumping output? I tried turning the suction all the way up and did breast compressions.
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The pump just isn't as good as your baby for getting milk out, but I wouldn't despair yet. You probably did not have a let down while you were pumping. Could you try feeding on one side while pumping the other at the same time? That will help. You will also want to make sure you have the proper flange size. Was the Freestyle plugged in or was it relying on battery power? Battery power is a lot weaker than being plugged in (at least it was on my Ameda) and it was very hard for me to pump adequately on battery power.
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Don't be too discouraged. If she is eating so frequently, even with block feeding, you might not get much out. Once you are back to work, it will be completely different.
Flange sizes and shapes can make a difference. I had to play around for quite some time before realizing that I couldn't use the standard one that came with my pump. I needed a smaller size and ultimately got some from pumpin' pal, which made a huge difference.
Finally, turning the suction all the way up can backfire. In my case, it would make it painful, and I produced less milk. You will need to play with it but eventually you will find a setting that works right for you. Also, is your pump new? If not, make sure all the pieces are clean and in the right place.
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Don't worry!
First, you have a great pump. For starting, I would put the let down mode to maybe a 3-4 and then the regular pump stage to a 4-5 if you can stand it.
If you had the suction all the way up, my guess is maybe something was wrong. Are you sure you had the pump together properly? Make sure all the clips are together and the unused line to the other side (since you were using as a single) is pluged into the storage spot.
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Can you try hand expressing to see if that produces more milk? If so, then it might be your pump that is the issue.
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@ms.line: hmm...are you sure all the parts were correctly snapped on? I have a Freestyle, and sometimes I have to unsnap and resnap the parts to get a good seal and sucking action.
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The first time I pumped I got hardly anything. It's all about the let down for me though. I had to try hard to relax and not think about pumping. Looking at pictures of my baby would start a let down pretty quickly.
Eta when I did figure out how to get a let down I started getting anywhere from 4-8 oz depending on the side. Don't give up!
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@ms.line: don't freak!!! Pumping takes a long time to get used to. It took me forever to get the cups right (I needed bigger ones), to get the speed right, to feel comfortable enough to actually get a letdown. Breastfeeding was easy enough for us, but pumping? That took a while to learn.
It sounds like you didn't actually let down? Try looking at you LO or watch videos to help with letdown. Also, play with the speed/suction-all the way up might not be the best thing for you. Do you have a hand pump? I found that I had to learn how to pump with my hand pump then move to the double electric. A warm washcloth on your breast might also help.
Patience, and try not to freak! I went from getting almost nothing to getting a LOT in the span of a few weeks. You can do it!
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Ooh, also, was the flange at all wet? If there was even a drop of water in my flanges, the suction changes completely. Make sure they're dry!
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I noticed that when I tried only pumping one side, I got nothing out, even if I was practically engorged. Try pumping both sides at the same time and see if that helps!
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I agree with others that you didn't get a let-down. That's definitely going to be the key. Let-down is when your brain releases oxytocin and triggers the milk ejection reflex, and without that you're only going to get drips. Try meditation or relaxation exercises, looking at videos of LO, eating something you enjoy, listening to calming music, or anything else that gets you to a calm happy state.
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Did you connect the tubing to itself? If you try to pump on only one side with the Freestyle you have to close the line on the side you're not pumping on. It kind of loops around back into itself. And if you don't, you get no suction at all. I'll try to find a pic.
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Pic of what tubing should look like...
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I had to pump in the morning to get the most out, when I was most full. After using it for engorgement I had to build up my pumping over a few days before I could actually get a few ounces at a time and my baby was only eating from one side at a time or sometimes block feeding too. I had to pump everyday so my breasts stayed used to the pump and when I stopped pumping and tried going back to after a week I had to build up again.
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Agree with what everyone said above!
Also, pumping both breasts at the same time tends to get better results!
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@LovelyPlum: really? this is a thing? I wonder if that's why I get more during my first pump of the day... hmm...
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I always got the most after my first morning feed.
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Make sure your flanges are the right size - it makes a huge difference.
Were you stressed while pumping? That also reduces output. Try to take some deep breaths and relax.
I suggest pumping on both sides (even if you just finished block feeding). It will help increase your supply over time.
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Doesn't sound that unusual to me at this point, I wouldn't worry about it and wouldn't focus on pumping too much until supply is regulated so you don't create an oversupply.
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@LulaBee: whoops, I meant membranes!! (Can you tell I haven't pumped in a while??) But yes, condensation on anything messed with me. I always threw a kitchen towel in my pumping bag to make sure things were really dry!
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Thank you all for your advice and reassurance!
I will definitely check over my pump, try both breasts at once, and focus on let down next time!
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The first few times I tried to pump I got drops! For me, I needed a bigger size flange than the standard one my pump came with. That made a huge difference for me. And I agree with the above posters, it's important to try to relax...looking at pictures of the baby helps, and thinking of her nursing (I keep a few pictures of her nursing on my phone!)
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@ms.line: For pumping just one side after a feeding like you were, I actually had better luck with a hand pump than my big double electric pump. This Avent hand pump is only $30 but a total work horse! http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Avent-Manual-Comfort-Breast/dp/B009YSYCZS
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Don't fret! Your boobs will get the hang of it! A great way to get let down is to pump one side while feeding on the other. Baby provides let down! Otherwise, I set everything up and turn on the let-down phase, then I do a quick relaxation exercise (did you learn any for labor, that's what I use), then I watch the baby or video of the baby. Massaging the boob can help when I'm having trouble getting a let down. Then, once milk is flowing turn suction up to where it's strong but comfortable. You can play with the settings, to find what works for you, but I usually crank it up, but it doesn't hurt me. And don't stress about it. You're starting off early, which is exactly the right thing to do, so just give yourself some time to get things working properly.
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Today I used a manual pump I just picked up and pumped while feeding LO - I got two ounces from one boob! Still have a lot of practicing to do, but whew, what a relief!
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@ms.line: yay, so glad! It takes practicie. You will get the hang of it!
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@ms.line: yeah, it's practice but also at 3.5 weeks there isn't much there. no worries!
I will definitely check over my pump, try both breasts at once, and focus on let down next time!
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