medela electric pump vs hospital grade pump?

[sora]

Hi,

I rented a medela electric pump - symphoney double kit. My newborn is loosing too much weight and I was told to use this. After using it for a day, my milk supply is up but my breasts were engorged. I can't drain the milk from my breasts using this pump. I might have plugged ducts or I'm thinking that medela pump is not strong enough to drain my breasts effectively. My breasts are full but I only get little bit from the pump and even after pumping, my breasts are still full. Would a hospital grade pump be much better? or would you say I have plugged ducts?

My baby is not really draining my breasts either. He falls asleep within a few minutes whehn he starts to nurse. I was told to supplment him with formula and pumped milk because he lost too much weight - 20% of his birth weight. But I worry that pumping would make my breasts more engorged. I rather try to nurse him as often as possible. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

[texmati]

The Symphony *is* a hospital grade pump-- supposedly the best out there. That being said-- it may not be the best fit for you. How old is your little one? Did your milk just come in? Is this your first baby?

There are a few things you can try, but keep in mind, that if you are still 1 week pp, engorgement is normal. Most of my suggestions are pumping related, not much help on the sleepy baby.

1) breast compression while pumping and or breastfeeding
2) Google Hands On Pumping Standford- it's good video to help you empty your breasts more thuroughly.
3) check that you are using the right flange size on your symphony.
4) partially undress your little one to try and wake him up during the feed
5) my dh used to rub our son's back/neck to keep him up during the feed, he also used to do breast compressions, so our son would be more motivated to keep going at the breast.
6) this is controversial, but in desperation, I have used a baby wipe on DS arm or feet to keep him up during a feed. I felt kind of mean doing this, so I'd only do it if you were worried about weight gain.

I agree with wanting to do more nursing vs pumping. If you do supplement, consider finger feeding, or feeding with a dropper to avoid nipple confusion.

[akind1]

Sora, at that age DS would always wake up to a diaper change, you might want to try this part way through.

and flanges might make a difference but I agree with texmati that at 1 week PP, engorgement is still well within the realm of normal. How much are you getting when you pump? just out of curiosity. FWIW, I rarely felt truly empty at first, except when I pumped, because that was over in like, 5 minutes, and babe took 45 or so to nurse, so more time for the boobs to kind of "refill' I think.

we used a dropper also at first, but switched to a bottle around 1 or 2 weeks. i was worried about confusion but we've had no problems, but DS has also been on a pacifier since day 2. (he uses it very rarely now at 5 months. prefers his thumb)