https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:17:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276456 Sat, 29 Aug 2015 02:59:49 +0000 buttermilk 2276456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: thanks I'll google it! I also notice I get a good bit of milk right when it switches over, but then it stops soon after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276418 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 23:31:30 +0000 PurplePeony 2276418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: size actually doesn't have much to do with capacity! Anecdotally, my boobs aren't that big but I battled oversupply for the first few months; my good friend has HUGE boobs and had to supplement because she couldn't produce enough. Anyway, Stanford University has a good video on how to do massage, it's specifically geared toward moms of preemies but it's helpful to anyone. I don't have the link handy but it's googleable. My problem when I first went back to work and was pumping in lieu of BFing was that certain milk ducts just didn't respond as well to the pump as to my LO, so I had to massage the milk out so I didn't get clogs. Later on, my supply dipped so I had to try to squeeze out as much milk as possible. Either way, I also found that a lot more milk came out during the "letdown" phase of the pump and it would slow quickly after the machine switched over, but that I still could empty the boob pretty quickly and get a lot of milk out once I figured out the best way to massage. It's a lot of trial and error (and honestly, a lot more squishing and squeezing than I ever would have imagined) but I think if you keep at it, it probably should help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276338 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 21:06:22 +0000 buttermilk 2276338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: trying to experiment with that. So far I haven't noticed a big difference. Idk if it's bc I have small boobs so maybe there's just not a lot of space for milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276261 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 19:34:39 +0000 PurplePeony 2276261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried doing breast compressions/massage? I usually got about 50% more milk that way than if I just let the pump do all the work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276243 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:44:21 +0000 buttermilk 2276243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Microscope: I haven't tried that. My LC said that if my goal is to EBF and not have to pump after, that I should always pump immediately after BFing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276229 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:18:53 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2276229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you get more with the stimulation phase, just hit the button to switch back after let down phase starts! Also, have you tried pumping between nursing, to see how a full breast reacts? Maybe you are just so close to empty that the faster pump is what you need to get the last bit out? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276227 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:17:38 +0000 buttermilk 2276227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnolia: thanks! Unfortunately we have done 2 weighted feeds now and she has only transferred half an ounce from me each time. Ped wants her to get 1.5 oz total every 3 hrs. So I'm trying!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276226 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:15:44 +0000 jh524 2276226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Look at a pictures of your lo while your pumping. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276221 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:13:43 +0000 buttermilk 2276221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: yeah I've been increasing it daily as my nipples get more used to the sensation. I did the max today and there was no difference. Actually starting to play around with lower power now bc I read maybe some ppls boobs work better with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276208 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:03:16 +0000 magnolia 2276208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have this problem too, it seems to be related to my let down. I have a hard time letting down with the pump. I nurse my son on one side and pump on the other (at the same time). That way he is giving me the baby induced let down effect. Sometimes looking at pictures or videos helps if he is asleep. Good luck :heart:</p> <p>Eta: 9ml every session sounds amazing!! If it's working for you that well then I wouldn't change anything </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276199 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 17:32:39 +0000 maddyz 2276199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't start pumping until lo was older, but I get milk during the stimulation phase mostly and some after. My pump has a button the switches the phases. Now when I pump for about 12 minutes I use the letdown/stimulation button twice (so 3 times total).</p> <p>Whatever works... I guess </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276198 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 17:31:46 +0000 yellowbird 2276198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried to increase the suction during expression phase? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-why-am-i-only-getting-milk-during-the-stimulation-phase#post-2276195 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 17:24:33 +0000 buttermilk 2276195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi bees! </p> <p>I've been pumping after every feeding for the past week in order to supplement after each nursing session. LO is 12 days old. I usually pump for about 5-7 mins and when I first started for about 4-5 mL on average. Now I'm up to 9 mL on average. I have the free insurance Medela PISA. </p> <p>Today I realized that I have been starting to get milk during every stimulation phase and it peters out quickly once the expression phase begins. This happens every time but I didn't think anything of it until today. Today I started experimenting with turning the pump off and back on after a minute or two of the expression phase (when milk stops flowing) and was surprised when I started getting more milk again during the next stimulation phase. I just was able to get 3 rounds of this in 15 mins before the milk finally stopped flowing. Just measured and I got 13 mL. </p> <p>Has anyone else experienced this or have a clue what could be going on? </p>