Pumping @ 11mo and no milk?

[CookAMH]

Do pumps give out or do breasts get picky after a while? DS stopped taking a bottle (like for an occasional babysitter) so I stopped occasional pumping to freeze. I'd like to try it again or else try him taking it from a cup so I pumped before going to bed the last 2 nights with my medela hand pump (harmony). I last nursed about 4 hours before that and felt letdown while pumping like I ususally do while nursing, but the usual spray of milk that always came when pumping for several months here and there never came and I got what was probably the small reserve of milk already sitting in my breast. When I feel letdown when nursing, I can hear DS swallowing a lot of milk for a couple of minutes so I know the milk is there, and I always had the same output when pumping.

Should I try replacing the piece that goes against my breast? The suction seemed fine. I tried the electric pump also and that didn't work. I don't want to keep trying without success and give my body the wrong message (letdown but no output) and do not have the patience to express.

[cheryllynn]

Does your model have white membranes? Those are the first to replace.

If you have time to visit a lacation consultant, they should have a pressure gauge to check your pumps.

I first thought it was me, then my pump, then back to me. I had times when I would sit down at the pump and get nothing even though I felt let down, then sometimes just drops, sometimes just an ounce. I eventually gave up that time of day pumping (afternoon).

[claddaghmom]

I couldn't manual pump more than an 1oz or 2 by 6 months. But you could try experimenting with different pumps, maybe?

[CookAMH]

Thanks. The only time of day I can really pump is before going to bed. If I could pump and feed him the bottle, I could try during the day but since he doesn't take a bottle, that won't work.

Do you agree that continuing to try might jeopardize my supply if no milk is drawn out after letdown? Or, since it's an additional session than what my DS eats, is it ok? I could try pumping first with the electric pump to have letdown on that one, rather than trying first with the manual.

[kriket]

have you tried pumping one side and nursing the other?

That's the only way I can pump milk these days. I think my boobs have wizened to my game. They pretty much refuse to let down for the pump. I can hand express more than I can pump these days.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by kriket

have you tried pumping one side and nursing the other?

That's the only way I can pump milk these days. I think my boobs have wizened to my game. They pretty much refuse to let down for the pump. I can hand express more than I can pump these days.

We're one-sided And have been for months. I'm dried up on that side.

[rlmueller]

I lost the ability to pump at 6 months

The pressure/suction felt the same. It is most likely not the horns but perhaps new tubing and valves and rubber parts may do the trick. Other than that I read that eventually pumping output becomes less over time.