My daughter will be three weeks on Tuesday and I've been trying to pump since my milk came in. She's gained almost a pound since birth exclusively nursing and I've been pumping in between feedings. The most I've ever gotten in a 15 minute pump session is 1 oz. I know she has to be getting more than this when she nurses! What am I doing wrong?
-
Possibly nothing. When are you pumping? if it is shortly after you feed your LO she might have just emptied you out. Also some people don't respond as well to pumping as they do to actual breastfeeding.
But, trouble shooting tips to check:
- make sure your tubes are all plugged in tight
- play around with different levels of suction and see if it makes any difference (I had to have it up pretty high!)
- make sure you are using the right size flanges
- try to relax when pumping
- you could always rent a hospital grade pump and see if that makes a difference. -
I know with us I started pumping about 2 weeks old. I'd only pump once during her first nap of the day, so it wound up being about an hour after she ate. I could normally get about 4 ozs.
I'm not sure when you're pumping, but if it's right after eating the amount could be low. Same is you're pumping multiple times a day.
-
I would so not sweat it! If I read right, you are pumping in addition to feeding all your baby's feeds so every once is extra. And given your baby is only 3 weeks your supply is nowhere near established. Keep pumping when you can and your supply and output will increase
-
@glitterboots: relaxing helps, so try closing your eyes and taking deep breaths. Also put a warm pack on you breast before/during pumping. Do you do any massage/compression while pumping? That can help get the milk out. Also look at pictures or a videos of your baby while pumping.
You might also want to try different size flanges or a different pump, hospital grade would be best.
-
First, don't despair. At 3 weeks your supply is still working on regulating. Since you are nursing and pumping at the same time , 1 oz at that age sounds pretty good! Also, I typically have to go 20 minutes to get a letdown.
-
I agree with the others- baby is probably getting all of your milk when she is nursing. Unless you are skipping a feeding to pump, anything you get is extra.
@Mae:'s troubleshooting tips are good. Also when I did pump I always not the most in the morning. Usually I would nurse the baby to sleep, get the pump set up, take a hot shower, then go pump (so an hour or so after her morning feeding). I only did it occasionally but that's what worked best early on.
-
Are you feeling a let-down at all? Sometimes when I try to pump I never get the let-down and then I can pump til the cows come home and never get more than an ounce. Things that help are trying to relax and looking at pictures/watching videos of my LO. Oh and being well hydrated!
-
The LC told us that when you BF, then pump, on average, women get 1/2-1 ounce. I definitely don't pump much when T eats regularly. Hell, I can go 6 hours and still only pump an ounce and a half off one boob. So give it time!
-
When I first started pumping I would smell a burp cloth that smelled like my son and my milk would let down right away. When I BF my daughter though, I never felt my letdowns, although obviously they were happening. Everyone is different!
-
Thanks everyone. I think I might try a smaller size flange based on the pictures of the medala website. I know my supply isn't set yet, but it would be nice to be able to have a stash for someone else to feed her once in a while
-
@glitterboots: Definitely mess around with the flanges. And what type of pump are you using? I found that my Ameda was crap for me (I EP'd and had low supply) but when I rented a hospital grade Medela I had much more success (that and a larger flange.) keep tweaking and if you can, hire an LC! My LC was experienced with pumping too and had tips. There are things you can do while pumping (a compress or massage, videos or photos of your LO, etc) to make the session more successful. Good luck!
-
Good point that @kjpugs: made about compression / massage. I get MUCH more when I do some hand-compression while I'm pumping.
-
One oz is a lot for in between feeding a while exclusively nursing, especially this early!! Be careful pumping his early you're supply is still regulating and you don't want to wind up with oversupply:
Eta - even if someone else feeds her, you want to pump at that time to keep your supply up. It's best to pump maybe a little before she would typically eat and then have someone give her that fresh milk, rather then building a stash. -
@glitterboots: my boy is 4wks and i am just now feeling like my milk is consistently coming in adequately. i think it's really hard to build a stash for later feedings at this point because baby feeds often but should get easier as the days pass so don't worry!! baby will have longer stretches between feedings and you will be able to start pumping and stashing for later.
-
I wouldn't worry if you are nursing on demand. Are you just pumping to relieve engorgement? I wouldn't pump at 3 weeks for any reason other than that.
-
I needed smaller flanges. That really increased my production. Also I cut up a tank top with a shelf bra so I could be hands free. I look at baby pics or videos while I pump. It helps with my let down. I really hate pumping though and I hope it gets easier for you
-
@glitterboots: My LO is 17 days old. I'm pumping 1x day instead of feeding to give my nipples a break and to try to get some sleep. I'm getting 2oz when I have a good break between feedings. I understand that's a typical feeding volume. If you're feeding and getting an ounce I think you're doing well.
-
I've never gotten more than 1oz per side, and if I pump after feeding I get maybe 1oz for both side ( sometimes less). I've read it's not uncommon and some people just don't pump a lot but it's not an indication of how much supply you have.
This made me feel better about it.
http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
18 comments