https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:32:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734630 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:52:19 +0000 kes18 1734630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: I guess I just feel that there is more in there that could come out, even though I know pumps don't work as well as babies. I guess I read (on boards) that most people are getting more than this per session and I hate fighting for every last drop (which I feel like I do every session). I guess I wish I could pump at least 4 oz per session because that is what baby eats for each time I pump. </p> <p>Maybe I have unrealistic expectations and should just leave it be because combined with pumping in the early AM I make enough for her.</p> <p>@jetsa: maybe some time I will have to try waiting that long to see. I feel somewhat desensitized by the time 20 min are up!</p> <p>@catomd00: Thanks! Yeah at least I didn't buy the PY. I wish it wasn't so hard to tell what the source of problems are...if there even are any. With pumping while she eats in the AM I make enough for her during the day so I don't know if it would be a waste of $$ when over 24 hours I have enough for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734563 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:05:35 +0000 catomd00 1734563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there's anyway to compare until you try the PISA. Do you have any close friends with one that they'd let you borrow it for a day or two? At the end of the day, it would stink to spend the $200 for the PISA, but at least you didn't also have to buy the PY? </p> <p>I have the PISA and I think it's okay. I much prefer the freestyle (I've used my sisters) but don't notice any difference in output, though I have never used it at work or on a regular basis. I get 3-4 oz per session while at work. I pump 3x (10, 12:30, 3:30). I've added a regular morning pump one hour after DD eats (typically 7-7:30) while I am doing my make up and get anywhere from 2-5 oz. I have also occasionally started pumping around 9 pm (2 hours after DD goes to bed) and get 4-5 oz. So, I really don't know if it's just the environment at work that I can't pump as well in or what. I have been pumping for 20-25 minutes instead of 15 and getting a second let down which gives me an extra 1/2-1 oz. I know it's stressful but it sounds like you're doing a great job and getting decent output. My DD eats 11-12 oz while I'm gone, as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734550 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:57:15 +0000 jetsa 1734550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kes18: So during my second session today I paid attention my first letdown ended at 8 mins and my second didn't start until 24 so that sounds normal to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734503 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:25:37 +0000 Ajsmommy 1734503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>WOW you average 3.5 oz's a session!??! That is awesome! But you think you should be getting more? I pump 4 times during work and I'm lucky to get between 10-12 oz's total, I do one night pump before bed so that I get enough to send to daycare the next day. However, now that LO is eating more I've had to break into my frozen stash and will likely deplete that in a month or so. </p> <p>Anywoo, in my experience you're getting great output so I wouldn't recommend a new or different pump. Maybe try changing some of your parts like previous mom's suggested, I've heard that can help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734300 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:05:43 +0000 Cupcake 1734300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kes18: it really depends on how rough you are on them. For the first few months I was using a small bottle cleaner on them and they pretty much split open. I didn't realize it until I squished them open and saw how torn up they were. My insurance covered all my replacement parts so I replaced my every couple of months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734187 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:23:14 +0000 kes18 1734187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cupcake: @autumnlove: Thanks, I might have to get new caps...do you really have to replace them this frequently? It's been in use about 2 months. So irritating!</p> <p>@raintreebee: I would consider renting one for a month to increase supply, but depending on the cost I don't think I'd want to rent one long term. I will have to call to check to see how much they're renting them for around here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734110 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:57:52 +0000 raintreebee 1734110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would renting a hospital grade pump be an option? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734060 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:40:04 +0000 autumnlove 1734060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cupcake: Ah, yes...I had to replace the white things a few times! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734019 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:22:53 +0000 Cupcake 1734019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes I had that happen when the little white things needed to be replaced! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1734005 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:17:13 +0000 autumnlove 1734005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used an Ameda PY for my first and Medela Freestyle for my second. My output was the same except the Freestyle was more convenient. I always pumped for 25-30 minutes. </p> <p>Ameda has great customer service, maybe call them to help you troubleshoot? They let me exchange my pump when I had issues! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1733997 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:15:07 +0000 kes18 1733997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: Thank you!</p> <p>@jetsa: I pump 20 minutes. I get a let down right away (within 2 minutes) and the sprays die out by about the 7 minute mark. After that I get some big drops coming out and at that point I will do some massage. </p> <p>But by maybe 7-8 minutes left (12-13 min in) there isn't much more coming out. I don't think I've ever gotten a 2nd letdown even though I've tried putting the speed back up. I still let it go the 18-20 minutes. I can always hand express some sprays afterwards though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1733978 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:06:47 +0000 jetsa 1733978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an Ameda PY and a medela PISA, my output never compared with the ameda so I gave up on it. I love the PISA and totally think its worth it. I wish I had more advice on that but it sounds like @avivoca knows exactly what you are talking about.</p> <p>Onto pumping tips :)<br /> How long do you pump, long enough to get your second letdown? It takes me almost 20 mins to get my second letdown and I always wait for that also I've read that you should pump 5 mins beyond the last drop of milk so that you are always telling your body you need more. Finally I work 4 day weeks and always pump my most on mondays and least on thursdays, so I really think pumps are just inefficient and my baby tells my body to how much milk he needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1733943 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:50:09 +0000 avivoca 1733943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the same issue with my Ameda PY. I actually have two, and the older model does not do this at all, so I think it's a problem with the new batch. Sometimes I have to disconnect and reconnect several times during a pump session, and my output is decreasing as well (though, I think that is in response to her eating more solids throughout the day). </p> <p>If it were me, I would get another pump and use the Ameda as back-up. With the next LO, I will definitely be choosing a different brand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-me-or-the-pump-should-i-buy-a-newdifferent-pump#post-1733936 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:46:31 +0000 kes18 1733936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an Ameda PY through insurance...I am not sure I really like it. Sometimes the diaphragms get "stuck" in the contracted position and that reduces suction. I can hear air movement around the suction lids. My pump is only about 3 months old.</p> <p>I get on average about 3.5 oz per pumping session at work (9:30, 12:30, 3). I also pump at about 3-4 am on one side wile my LO (almost 3 months) eats on the other. She eats 12 oz a day while I'm gone, so I need that early morning pumping to meet her needs for the day. I feel like my daytime output is ever so slowly going down though as the weeks go by. I BF all other times.</p> <p>Do you think that's just how much I produce/respond or is the pump partially to blame? I get strong suction but by about 6 min after I've started the sprays of milk stop and I can't feel as much suction anymore. I wonder if it's the pump or I'm just numb to the sensation after this time. </p> <p>Sometimes I do have to take the cap off and un-contract the diaphragm if it's acting up but it often just goes back to what it was doing before (getting stuck). It doesn't happen every time though.</p> <p>Anyone think it's worth it to spend $220 to get the Medela PISA? Would I see more output with this pump? I'm willing to spend $220 so I won't have to like in a state of paranoia about not pumping enough if I can get a higher output but it's obviously not worth it if I'll continue to pump the same amount.</p> <p>Any thoughts? </p> <p>( I do take fenugreek and blessed thistle and eat oatmeal and drink plenty of water FWIW. I am almost out of capsules so I am trying the More Milk Plus special blend soon to see if that makes a difference) </p>