Crap. I'm at work and my pump isn't working right! It's way too loud and sounds (maybe?) like there's air coming out from somewhere it shouldn't be. I'm barely getting anything out and I've checked everything I can change while I'm here.
Should I hand express? This is my first pump of the day! 
pomegranate / 3895 posts
What kind of pump?
On my Medela I once had this happen and the middle stopper wasn't plugged in very well. I held it down while I pumped and confirmed this was the problem.
I would hand express!
eggplant / 11716 posts
@mfa_lady: Take apart all the little tubes/flanges/valves and membranes and make sure they are dry and then put it all back together. Check that the tubes are inserted fully on each side.
I would have this from time to time and would usually find a loose tube or membrane.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Anagram: Thanks, lady! I just did this and can't find anything. One side/set seems to be working, so I'm pumping one side at a time. With a lot of massage. UGH. Ha! My husband did use a utensil yesterday to get the little yellow part apart from the clear plastic (it was stuck and neither of us could get it) and there's a tiny mark in the plastic from that. I wonder if that could be causing it?
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@LBee: Medela. I tried this, too, but it seems like the problem is isolated to one side/set of parts. I guess I'm going to need to figure out where it's coming from when I get home!
kiwi / 560 posts
I'm sure you've checked this - but when this happened to me I noticed one of the membranes had a very tiny tear in it. Once I replaced it the pump worked again.
eggplant / 11716 posts
@mfa_lady: maaaaybe? I'm glad one side is working!!! I had times when I forgot one whole set of the parts, so I would have to pump one at a time--time consuming, but it will do for one day!
pomegranate / 3895 posts
@mfa_lady: Ugh! At least you found a temporary solution. Try each set of parts on each side - then you can at least identify whether parts problem or pump problem. I am most likely stating the obvious, haha.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@LBee: No, you're totally right. I'm thinking of how I can best check everything out, haha. I need a diagram! It's looking more like parts problem, which makes me very happy. Haha. I have extras of those at home!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
Definitely a parts problem! Tried one set of parts on the same side/same tube as the working one, and it didn't work. Good news: I don't need a new pump. Bad news: I'm stuck pumping one side at a time all day....which means more time for less milk. Boo! Thanks for all your help!
pomegranate / 3127 posts
@Kbee: I'll second that, it sounds like a membrane problem. It could be a tiny little hole, that is all it takes. I've never had an issue with the yellow pieces, but maybe try to swap the membrane onto the side that doesn't work, and if that doesn't help try adding the yellow piece from the good side. That way you'll know what needs replacing.
Glad you found a temporary solution!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
Okay, it WAS the little yellow thing! There's like the tiniest ding in it, from where we tried to pry it off, and it's making the whole shebang not work. DANGIT! DH is coming to get me early (of course, my car's in the shop) so I can swap it out for my next pump.
persimmon / 1129 posts
@mfa_lady: The yellow valves on my pump used to get stuck all the time too. I had to use those rubber jar openers and twist it around to get it off sometimes.
pear / 1586 posts
@mfa_lady: I had the same problem with the yellow valves when my husband used pliers to get one off one day. I had to leave work to go to target and buy new valves bc the pump basically stopped working! I found that if I left the membranes on the valves when disassembling, they rarely got stuck and I didn't have to resort to extraordinary efforts to remove them!
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