Both my pumps stopped working.

[minkajane]

I work full-time. I pump once at work and again when I get home. I have a Lansinoh Affinity and a Medela Deluxe Single Electric. My Medela pump has only worked right sometimes - it will lose suction. So I'll change the cord, re-tighten the seal, rinse the motor out, etc, until it decides to work right again. Last week, my Lansinoh pump died right as I was starting to pump. I can't get it fixed until I can get to the store where I bought it 90 minutes away to get another copy of the receipt and get Lansinoh to replace it. So I'm stuck with just the Medela. Tonight it decided to lose suction again.

I didn't get to pump at all at work today - it's a call center. I get exactly 30 minutes for lunch exactly when they say and if somebody else is in the room, I'm SOL. Such was the case today. So I went the whole day without pumping and when I got home, my Medela only got me 2 ounces.

I'm in tears tonight. I'm taking fenugreek and still feel like I'm losing my milk supply because of these issues. I have two bottles in the freezer for DD and that's it. I don't have the option to quit because this job is the only thing keeping us afloat. I just want to feed my baby!

[latitude_mama]

I am so sorry you are in this boat!

First off, regardless of pumps not working, you need to get milk out to maintain supply and to prevent mastitis. 

Hand Expression is your best option. Put your thumb and index finger of the same hand on that side breast about 1 1/2 inches from the center of the nipple with your hand cupped  Press straight back into the chest.  Holding that pressure, roll your thumb and finger forward.

The pressure back releases milk,  the rolling forward pushes it out throught the nipple. For some moms a minute or two of breast massage may help with let down.

ther eis a video here:

http://breastmilksolutions.com/breastfeeding_mngmnt.html

Please see the “Early Hand Expression with Teaching Steps" video.

Once your pumps are up and running again, "“Maximizing Milk Production with Hands-on Pumping”  same link different video is best current option for maximizing milk production

New research supports simple manual techniques, combined with pumping. 

Good luck!  Rrmember empty breasts make milk, so the more often you can empty your breasts the better.

HTH

Melissa

[khaoskat]

If your pump has the little white membranes (the Medela), I would look at replacing it.  Sometimes a tiny crack can be the cause of lost suction.

Otherwise, considering going to WIC, often times they can help you rent a pump low or free of charge.  Many times you can get one through your insurance as well, free of charge.  I would explore both of those options, as well as the white membrane.

[minkajane]

Thanks for the replies. My Medela pump has started working ok again, so at least I have that. So far, I've still been able to keep up with DD's needs. I did try previously to get a pump through WIC, but it was a huge nightmare and I never did end up getting a pump. But for now the Medela seems to be ok and I've asked the store to send me my receipt in the mail, so I'll be able to contact Lansinoh about getting a replacement.

[Jessie M]

http://theleakyboob.com/2011/11/hygeia-enjoye-breast-pump-giveaway/#comment-20560     I see your pump broke.  I don't know if you follow The Leaky Boob or not but they have a giveaway of a new Hygeia EnJoye pump going on.  Entries are due today.  Perhaps you could enter to win.  Best of luck.  My Madella is about 11 years old has been used by 4 mothers and 7 or 8 kids.  I know I know you're not supposed to do that.  The suction is not nearly as strong as it was with my 1st 8 years ago.