Exclusively pumping and not getting milk

[jen6163]

I'm actually asking advice for a friend...

My friend's 6 day old won't latch so she EPing. Her milk came in yesterday and she is only getting 1/2oz from both breasts pumping and isn't getting the letdown. Her milk is definitely in (I felt her boobs ) and I tried bigger horns (27) and it seemed to help a little bit. Her DH went out to buy 30mm horns to see if that helped, but I haven't heard anything.

I found it crazy that she isn't getting a letdown, but I have no experience w/ EPing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. She is only getting approx 5oz a day.

Thank you!!!!

[Juvysen]

I think the first week an ounce or so per feeding is normal. lemme see if I can find that info...

[Juvysen]

Hope this helps: http://www.ivillage.com/expressed-br...eed/6-n-137232

[Juvysen]

this is good, too... http://www.fourfriends.com/cgi-bin/milk.pl

[anj_rn]

It is possible that there is something the matter with the pump. There should be a trouble shooting guide with the pump. If there is a little whole in the tubing, the diaphragm, or the membranes can decrease the suction and make pumping ineffective. I would suggest taking the pump apart and checking all the pieces.

[Juvysen]

There's also these tips on pumping more... http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/p..._decrease.html

Most moms who are nursing full-time are able to pump around 1/2 to 2 ounces total (for both breasts) per pumping session.

Looks like half an ounce is pretty much in the range of normal, to me... It goes on to talk about how moms who can pump more often it's because of oversupply. I should mention that babies don't need even close to as much breastmilk as they do formula because their bodies utilize it more efficiently. So you don't need to be giving the newborn 4 ounces of breastmilk or something... in fact 4 ounces per feeding is normal for older babies (where normally they'd get like 8 oz of forumula).

Anyway, she may be on the low side, but if her milk just came in last night, give her time to work up a supply. If she's worried about it, she can try adding a pumping session or two (if she can fit them in) to try and boost her supply.

ETA... I didn't feel my let-downs until my first nursling was about 2 months old, so is it possible she's just not feeling them?

[Bokonon]

I would strongly encourage her to meet with an IBCLC to help baby latch. There is no reason she needs to resign herself to exclusive pumping this early when there is help available.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/bas...resources.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html

[stephbrownthinks]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

I would strongly encourage her to meet with an IBCLC to help baby latch. There is no reason she needs to resign herself to exclusive pumping this early when there is help available.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/bas...resources.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html

[Juvysen]

Agreed... my friend pumped until baby was 3 weeks old when they figured out the latch thing. Baby's a year old now and still nursing