Help! Is my pump dying?

[mambera]

I have an Ameda PY, bought new 9 months ago.

I am noticing that after my nipple gets pulled into the flange on the initiation of the cycle, it immediately starts relaxing back instead of staying forward for the duration of the 'on' part of the cycle.

I feel like it used to stay forward until the 'off' part of the cycle, or am I remembering wrong? Can anybody who has this pump advise?

In any case my pumping output has totally plunged; I always had low supply but I used to pump 8 oz in an 8-hr workday and yesterday I only pumped 5.5.

I changed out the white valves as well as the tubing. I also started taking domperidone again yesterday but it's too early to see a difference (not that dom did much for me when I tried it in the past).

Should I call the company? I don't really know what to do about this. I'm not even sure it's really broken or if it really is just that my supply dropped (LO is 9 mo and eats plenty of solids).

[BabyBodi]

I also used an Almeda Purely Yours. The only time that happened to me is when the parts needed changed (especially when there was a tear in the white piece). It sounds like there is a leak. I would double check all the parts.

[cheryllynn]

I have a different pump but had similar issues.

I brought pump to lactation consultant who had a pressure guage. We changed out all the parts. At the same time she noticed that my flanges were too small, so I have larger ones now. My milk supply never came all the way back, but my supply started decreasing in October and everyone thought it was me, the lactation appt with the pump was in February. I'm just happy that I can still get what I can as I was down to 1 1/2 ounces per pumping session.

You could also rent a hospital pump for two weeks to see how you respond to that. It cost me $30 and well worth the price to figure out what exactly was wrong.

My pump is Medela and several years old and the motor was slowly losing power. If yours is only nine months old, that seems a bit too new to have a motor problem, but I would also contact the company.

[HappyTomato]

It does sound like a pump problem. Check the power cord - do you have a battery pack or car adapter you can try with it to see if it makes a difference?

[mambera]

OK it is definitely the pump. (Btw I regularly use it both plugged into the wall and with my car adapter and the same problem is present regardless.) It seems that if I keep the suction strength up high and cycle frequency down, my nipple stays forward and I pump the same amount as always. So the issue is only present at lower suction and faster cycles (where I usually use it most of the time). It must be something about the motor. I guess I will call the company. Thanks for your help everybody.

[desertgirl01]

mambera, would you please update on what you find out from the company? I'm having a similar problem with my PY pump...baby is 10 months and I thought it was just me. Checked and replaced the valves, etc. I don't think my supply has dropped, since I'm still engorged after pumping.

The pump is used, so I don't think I could get much help from the company...but would love to hear what they tell you. Thanks!