Not responding to pump

[tsfairy]

I started back to work about a week and a half ago. Both kids are still nursing, though DS1 usually only nurses 1-2x per day. DS2 nurses all.day.long when he's with me but often goes 6-8 hrs at night, or 5-6 hrs during the day if we're out or he's away from me so I didn't think I'd need to pump during the day since he's almost 2yo.

I have been working half days so far but will start full days next week. I was experiencing some discomfort due to engorgement so I went ahead and bought a cheapo single electric pump just to relieve the discomfort. I figured any milk I expressed would be a bonus to send to daycare for DS, or something.

I've used it twice so far. First time at work yesterday, around 11am. It had been 4 hours since DS nursed. I got .25 oz total, from both sides, after pumping for 20 min. I figured since I'd been going through the day without nursing for a week my boobs just weren't producing at that time of day.

Today we went to the beach and a local aquarium and DS didn't ask to nurse all day and fell asleep on the way home. It's been 12 hrs since I nursed! I was about to go to sleep but realized I was a little uncomfortable so I decided to try pumping again since DS might sleep for several more hours. I got another stinking 1/4 of an ounce after over 20 min pumping! After 12 hours of no nursing!

I never responded well even to the Ameda Purely Yours I was using when DS1 was a baby. During a full day at work I was lucky to pump 8 ounces over 3 pumping sessions. But this is ridiculous. It did relieve the engorgement, but I guess I won't be sending any milk to daycare! :

I know DS gets a fair bit of milk. I hear him gulping, I get a decent letdown, and he says there's a lot of milk. So why can't I pump??

[alegna]

I knew another mom who tried to start pumping (seriously) in toddlerhood with no luck.

I think it's hormonal/learned.

good luck!

-Angela

[heidirk]

both times now, I have started to have unsucessful pumping sessions after about 8 months.

I just do not let down for the pump after a certain point, although I can hand express a little if engorged.

and I know DS2 is getting plenty of the good stuff, the pump just will not get it out.

[Megan73]

That is SO frustrating, I know.
Have you tried rubbing your breasts and nipples a bit before pumping?
I used to pump practically nothing – like a few drops – despite using a hospital grade pump after every feed for my son's first five months to try to boost my low supply.
My son is now a year old and I'm going back to work so I'm trying to use a PIS to make sure I'll be able to at least relieve engorgement at work. I've been able to pump 2 oz – which is a ton for me. I think the difference is that I followed a MDC mama's advice to stimulate my breasts first. I've also tried to think about my babe and imagine the feeling of letdown which seems to help bring it on.

[tsfairy]

Thanks for the replies. What's funny is I can actually hand express pretty well and I've been doing that to try to get a letdown, and I think that's producing more milk than the pump. I think I'm just mad at myself for spending money on a pump when I could have just hand expressed for free. LOL

[Katyajoy]

I can't seem to pump much milk either, my baby is 13mts. I sue to pump a few times a day a few months ago, but I guess now that she does not nurse so much any more, the pump just can't get any out, she is perfectly fine though so no worries I think she will be fine without it at day care

[Katyajoy]

??

BTW what does DS stand for?

[Altair]

It could be that it's a cheap pump-- I only pump well on a quality double electric pump. I do a lot of breast massage too. Before you pump, put a warm washcloth/papertowel (if at work) over your breasts and relax. Breathe deeply for a few minutes with your eyes closed. I imagine the air going in, and milk going out on the exhale. Droop your breasts down and shake them a little bit, then hook up the pump. Same thing, during the time you're trying to let down (the Medela PIS has a great let down simulation phase) imagine breathing in air and letting out milk. Just keep thinking/focusing about "down" and out. Then gently put pressure on different areas of you breasts-- I start by pushing on the sides a bit like I'm making cleavage. It helps to have a hands free bra on. Then I go around and compress different areas. Kellymom.com has good info on how to do breast compressions.

Also, eating oatmeal and drinking gatorade helps me a lot.

[savithny]

I had a hard time responding to even a double electric pump (I borrowed one from a friend to try).

The best pump for me? Avent Isis manual. I could use the hand pump action to mimic my baby's specific "start up suck" to get a letdown to happen. Avent was the only reason I was able to continue to BF after I went back to work PT, and with that pump I was able to pump enough that neither of my babies ever needed formula to supplement what I could pump.

But it was the more natural *timing* that was possible with the hand pump that was key for me.

[heidirk]

"DS" means 'Dear Son'

[Dov'sMom]

I started pumping when DS was 2 weeks old, and I still barely got an ounce in 30 minutes of pumping (not just right away -- weeks later, too!). If I woke up before DS and pumped before he had a chance to nurse, then maybe I'd get a littl emore than an ounce from each breast instead of one combined.

When I pumped away from him (at school/work), I could usually get enough to tide him over, but not a lot, and I KNOW my milk was plentiful, it just wouldn't come out for the pump.

With DS2, I hand expressed instead, and wow, what a difference! When I was at work all day, i could easily get 3-4 ounces at a time (from both breasts, but still, much better). And when I tried the pump, it was the same as it had been with DS1.

I used the PIS and the newer medela model - -forgot what it's called -- the hands'-free one (which was very convenient but I got less milk than even with the PIS).

[bananababies]

For me, the pump made a huge difference. I had an Ameda Purely Yours with dd and could never get more than an ounce or two, combined when away from her. My son was just in the NICU for the first week of his life (intubated, unable to take anything by mouth), and I was using a hospital grade Medela Classic. No matter what I did, even though my milk had come in and I was totally engorged, I could not get more than a few ounces per session. I finally talked with the LC after about 4 days and she suggested I try the Symphony. It made a huge difference! Suddenly I was getting 6 oz and feeling relief after pumping for just 15 min. The LC said some people just respond to different pumps. I really really need the 2 phase let down stimulation that the Symphony provides.

[leigh09]

i never could pump with my first two kids. my infant feeding specialist (i have milk supply problems and have seen one with both babies) said she never could either until her third baby, even though she didn't have milk supply problems.

it didn't matter the pump (i tried avent isis, rented a medela symphony), didn't matter time of day, nothing. i would just save up all the 1/2 ounces i got in the freezer and celebrate when we finally made one bottle by having a date night with dh.

my fingers are crossed for better luck with this baby -- i am jealous of my friends who can just pump a bottle in one sitting.

[TSomm]

Thanks for this thread, ladies!  I have been having trouble with my pump while DD is away.   Funny thing is it's only my left side.  The right I can do no problem.  I had tried the washcloth, warm shower, relax methods to no avail.  I even have a video of me nursing my DD and that didn't work.  I tried hand expressing after reading this thread and I got enough out to relieve myself.  My hand started cramping up otherwise I'd have kept going.  Thanks again, mamas!

[Summer1216]

Apparently I have a weak "let down" reflex. 

I paid a small fortune for an electric pump, and it did nothing.

I borrowed two different pumps from friends... one could get the milk out, but it felt like it was ripping my nipple off and I was sore for 2 wks

Hand expressing took forever for me...

I struck gold with using a hand pump. I can completely control it so I don't get hurt, and I've started to "feel" when it's the right pressure, which for me changes from squeeze to squeeze.

I can get about 4oz in one session, but I've never tried for more as my DS refuses to take a bottle so everything I pump pretty much gets dumped. 

[3under3scompany]

I had the same issue - with my DS I used the PIS, but it didn't work for me this time around.  I second the suggestion of the Avent Manual pump!  I can pump 6 oz when away from the babies.  I actually just picked up the Avent Isis IQ Duo yesterday - you actually pump it to stimulate let down and then set it to pump however you like (it has a memory feature) and then it does all the work.  It also comes with the attachement to convert it to a manual pump as well.

[kriket]

I tried to pump and dump after a night out with DH. which did not work at all :) I didn't get diddily. So maybe it's not common to not be able to pump with the baby gets older?

I had similar experiences with difficulties pumping with a PYs also. I would adjust the knobs to mimic the 2 stage thing. I think this time I will see if I can get my hands on a symphony, as I exploded my PY and will need another one.