https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:32:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262974 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:14:44 +0000 shellio 1262974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: I think they are both more efficient and more comfortable but that could also be all in my head. Check around, rates for monthly rental of a symphony in my area are $45 (cheapest I found) - $75. Make sure you call places before going there to check and if you plan to go someplace to rent one, have them set it aside for you. Medela has a section on their website where they will give you locations near you that have rentals available, I thought I could just do it through hospitals but it turns out some chain pharmacies (Walgreens etc) rent them. I actually rented through Right Start which is a smaller store that sells baby supplies from toys to feeding and potty supplies to strollers and cribs but until looking on that site I had no idea they rented pumps!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262971 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:14:38 +0000 Bookish 1262971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: When I first started pumping in the early days, I would get barely an oz. She seemed to get plenty when nursing, but pumping was ridiculously hard. The biggest difference came when I started using my pumping bra! It helps hold everything in place so much better, and I got twice as much when I used it. </p> <p>I had supply issues as well, and ended up stopping at 5 months (last week, actually), but definitely give it a bit of time to see if the bra helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262954 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:11:26 +0000 looch 1262954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know, I had the opposite problem, I was pumping and pumping and nothing was happening. If I could go back and do two things all over again, it would have been to be more persistent with the nipple shield ( I was advised not to use it past 2 days!!!) and I wouldn't have followed the super strict 6 times a day pumping schedule that the LC put me on. It was the major cause of my issues, because I was pumping, feeding, supplementing, pumping, feeding, supplementing for mililiters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262951 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:10:35 +0000 Mrs. Pink 1262951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>does anyone know how long the regulating period is? I was scared that even with taking the Fenugeek/mother's milk tea and double pumping when I get my bra in, it was too late for my supply at this point? Because I'm not getting the 20+ ounces that I needed to feed her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262833 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 14:46:51 +0000 Adira 1262833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: Also wanted to say that at 3 weeks, your supply is still regulating, so pumping as much as possible can really help your body to know to start producing more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262822 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 14:44:44 +0000 Mrs. Pink 1262822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shellio: I have a pump in style, I'll have to look into the hospital ones-- are they that much more efficient or just more comfortable to use?</p> <p>Also- thanks to everyone for the suggestions and support so far :) I knew this was the right place to chat about this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262452 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 13:30:36 +0000 shellio 1262452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: Good for you for working so hard!! Since it sounds like you are still going to try pumping for a little longer, do you have a hospital grade pump? You can rent them from many hospitals, pharmacies, and other surprising places. I have definitely found the Medela Symphony to be more comfortable and efficient than the Pump In Style. </p> <p>We had similar issues early on. My DS did have a significant tongue tie but feeding didn't immediately improve after it was clipped at one week old. I EP'd while nursing a couple times a day with a shield. He did not get anything from the boob till about 4 months old (we did pre/post weights) when he suddenly was able to get milk out, and I BF till 13 mos. He was 8#13oz at birth so a big boy but must have had some anatomical issues. Just wanted to share a success story if you need some encouragement but you have to do what is right for you!!</p> <p>I was very fortunate to have DH home with me for my entire maternity leave or there is no way I would have been able to do it. I completely understand that you need more bonding time - if you stop pumping altogether, don't beat yourself up. You need to enjoy LO's newborn-hood! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262057 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:20:30 +0000 MamaMoose 1262057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: Oh good deal, the bra will definitely help. I would have an LC come out to house and see if they can help at all. Or even help you come up with a plan to back off the pumping and transition to formula. Whatever you guys decide is the best plan. My LO had trouble latching at first two but the nipple shield changed our lives. She successfully nursed with the shield until 4 months, and then ditched it and it still nursing at 12 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262040 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:18:03 +0000 Adira 1262040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: I feel like Xander had that problem (small mouth) and it wasn't until after six weeks that he FINALLY started latching on comfortably! But I commend you for even doing EPing while working on your daughter's latch! Pumping sucks so much!! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1262027 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:16:14 +0000 Mrs. Pink 1262027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: I've got a hands free bra on order :) I will try that before I stop completely-- its taken awhile to come in because of the holidays</p> <p>I haven't had one come to me yet but I did work with one for the first week trying to get her latched- they suggested trying the pumping and to keep trying to get her latched but not to force it-- because it could cause her to associate it negatively. </p> <p>We thought she had a tongue tie at first because she has such a shallow latch when she does latch on-- but the ped. said that's not the issue-- she has a smaller mouth and so it makes it harder for her to get enough of the nipple etc. in </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1261981 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:04:53 +0000 MamaMoose 1261981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Adira: that getting a double electric pump and a hands free bra may make a big difference for you! If it were me, at 3 weeks I would still want to keep trying to make it work. I know there have been a few people on here who have been able to transition from exclusively pumping to getting LO to latch sucessfully even after the baby was a few weeks old. Have you had an LC come to your home since your LO was born, or did you just see the one in the hospital? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1261963 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:02:26 +0000 autumnlove 1261963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried heat before pumping? I microwaved Booby Tubes and stuck them in my bra before pumping during the first month.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1261943 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 11:59:45 +0000 Adira 1261943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Out of curiosity, are you double-pumping and/or using a hands-free pumping bra? Your description of pumping each side 30-45 minutes and thus spending an 1-1.5 hours pumping made me think you aren't? I always had much better output when pumping both sides at the same time, and then I didn't have to be pumping for as long. Is this an option for you?</p> <p>I have no advice about weaning, but hugs to you for even trying to EP!! &lt;3 You're a good Mama and wanting to spend your time bonding with your daughter over pumping makes total sense! Good luck to you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1261796 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 11:38:45 +0000 MapleMoose 1261796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was having supply issues and I read about power pumping. Pump 15-20 minutes, stop for 10 minutes, pump for 10, stop for 10, pump again for 10 minutes. I do this once a day for a few days and it seems to up my supply. I also eat the Milkmakers Lactation Cookies.</p> <p>During the breastfeeding class they said cold cabbage leaves stuffed in your bra will help with discomfort and engorgement when you stop BF/pumping. I read that some people can quit cold turkey and won't have issues, but others have to wean off to avoid clogged ducts and mastitis. From what I've read, weaning off means decreasing the pumping frequency over several days to weeks or just pumping a short time to relieve some of the engorgement discomfort, seems everyone is different. </p> <p>Don't feel bad about your decision. You need to do what makes you happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1261761 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 11:32:24 +0000 Racheld75 1261761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had similar issues...my lo would nurse for 2+ hours and was burning more calories than she was getting. When I would pump the most I got was 1.5oz sometimes only .25 oz. The constant pumping wasn't as bad when dh was home but when he went back to work it became so stressful. Lo would be crying I would have to constantly start and stop pumping. I finally decided to stop for my mental health and to be able to spend real time with my baby. It was a really hard decision and I cried for a week but looking back she and I were miserable. We now exclusively formula feed and she is growing and thriving. I won't say I don't still feel guilty at times, it really hurts my heart I couldn't give her what she needs and I wish I could bf but I couldn't produce enough despite supplements, frequent pumping and extensive consults with a lc but I didn't want to sacrifice bonding with her. I stopped pumping cold turkey, wore a sports bra. I originally tried to wean but after speaking to the rn at my ob I opted for cold turkey. I feel what you are going through and you have to do what is right for you and your baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-troubles-and-whenhow-to-stop#post-1261473 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 10:39:43 +0000 Mrs. Pink 1261473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really struggling with getting enough milk pumped to even give my LO 50% BM (she's 3 weeks old now and eating an average of about 2-2.5 oz every 2-2 1/2 hours) due to some problems latching early on and low blood sugar for a few days in the hospital after the c-section we started supplementing right away and I decided to try pumping after her latching didn't improve and she started rejecting the breast (she literally pushed away or just wouldn't suck)</p> <p>Right now, I have to pump for about a hour/ hour and a half (30-45 min each side) to get 2-3 oz- sometimes it's a little less and this makes pumping the 10-12 times a day impossible for me- I tried this for the first week and a half and couldn't do it... my hubby basically had to do everything for the baby and I felt like I was missing out on bonding with my girl because I was chained to the pump.... </p> <p>Being home with her alone all day these past 2 weeks, I've dropped down to only pumping a few times a day because I have to choose between pumping for an hour-hour and a half during her naps or sleeping/eating/taking a shower/tidying up the house etc.</p> <p>The LC said I'd probably have a hard time making enough milk, if it even came in because of the fertility trouble I had (the endometriosis) so this isn't a real surprise, but it still hurts a little, if that makes sense. </p> <p>My question is, how did you finally make the decision to stop pumping? Also, any suggestions for how to do this? Should I just go with the flow here and wait for my supply to drop out on it's own or drop pumps etc?</p> <p>**ETA**<br /> when I pump I do the massaging etc. and have a couple let downs, this is just what I end up with in the end... I also take Fenugeek and drink Mother's Milk tea :)</p> <p>we tried different shields as well for latching </p>