what could I have done?

[mlmkmm]

My son is now 8 months. I breastfed for 6 weeks, at that time I tried to pump my milk. I could pump half an oz before nothing else would come out. That was from the left breast, I couldn't get anything out of the right. My nipples would become so enlarged, swollen and painful that I could not continue to pump. I didn't really know about the LLL, I gave up. I was so disappointed. I HAD to go back to work when DS was 7 weeks old, I'm military and didn't have a choice. My husband was totally understanding and had a DS from a previous marriage where she tried BFing for a day and quit because her "nipples hurt" so he wasn't educated enough to care that I stopped and we both had know idea their was help out their. So I guess what I'm getting at is.... with my next DC I want to breastfeed and pump. What do I do to trick my breast into thinking that the pump is just as good as a baby? See my son could drink all day long from me but the pump just didn't work. I couldn't afford a 200.00 dollar pump and my hospital didn't rent them out. So what are your suggestions?

[shanesmama]

I work full time. And if you will be working full time you definatlly need a good dual pump, which can cost 200 dollars. I dont' think there is getting around that part. I had a little manual pump and couldnt' get anything but a couple drops out of it.

You could get a used pump, look on ebay or on the sites to see if any mamas are selling them.

Pumping can take some time until your body gets used to it. It isn't the easiest thing to do, but you can do it.

Also I have only had my nipples become irrated becuase the horns (the things you put around your breast), were too small. My nipples were bigger then most I guess so I needed to buy larger horns so my nipples didn't rub agaisnt the sides.

The pump will never be as good as your baby, but there are alot of things you can do to help yourself along. I drank lots of water, ate oatmeal most mornings, I helped to massage my breast and help along w/ the let down, and sorta did a hand expression technique along w/ the pump to help milk come out better. Eating well.

I went up and down w/ supply, especially when baby was going through a growth spurt or AF showed up. But you just do your beast and thats it. You can do it.

[ArtistMama]

I would wonder if either the horns were not large enough for you, or maybe you were using too much force trying to pump.

If you didn't have someone show you carefully how to use the pump, here's some advice: Do not pump to the maximum suction that the pump is capable of. You're not trying to forceably suck the milk out, you are trying to make the milk let down. Your baby's suck goes from quick and 'small' to slow and 'harder', if that makes sense. If you pump the thing as hard as it will go you will hurt your nipple.

It helped me to imitate that, and watch the nip. I would pump (with the manual one) quick and short only hard enough to start to feel suction. Then when I started seeing drops, I would pump longer 'sucks' and it would start streaming.

I also found that sitting in front of a picture of my screaming newborn made my milk come easier. I discovered this by accident, because I had the first ever pic taken of her as my computer desktop and I sat down in my computer chair to pump. I would recommend either a pic of your screaming newborn, or maybe a pic of baby nursing in order to get that 'milky mama' feeling.

Some people just don't respond well to the pump. If it was hurting you, I don't blame you!

LLL is great, and a good lactation consultant is also a wonderful help for new nursing mamas. Good luck! There is support out there, and hopefully your next experience will be great.

[Shenjall]

Pumps can certainly be tricky. Just like bf, it does take some time to get the hang of it.
And I agree with pp, the pump will never be as good as your babe sucking. So, if you only get a bit with the pump, it doesnt mean that you *dont* have any milk. The pump just cant mimic a baby, thats all. Its not you! Remember that!


The pp had some wonderful suggestions! One more I'd like to add is follow the logic of supply and demand and pump at the same time every day. Multiple times. You want to signal your body to make enough milk for both the babe and the pump, I hope that makes sense.

[Benji'sMom]

Well, you need the $200 pump, I've tried it with a cheaper one and it was a miserable failure with #1. It is SO WORTH IT to get the good one! (And it costs the same as like what, a month or two worth of formula, so it's really a cheaper option in reality than endind up ffing.) So anyway:

Some info on pumping which includes how to stimulate a let down:
http://www.hollister.com/us/files/pd...0let%20down%22

Some stuff on increasing output:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/p..._decrease.html

Here's a website about working and pumping, and this link is to the page on pumping basics, and at the end it even talks about getting the right fit from the flanges:
http://workandpump.com/pumping.htm

Hope that helps!

[MamaJenese]

As PP stated you may need larger horns. Also, check with your insurance. Mine covered the Medela PIS under my yearly medical equiptment allowance.

[mlmkmm]

Thank you all so much, I guess when I get preggo again I'll look on craigslist or ebay. Maybe even a couple of forums. I really wish I was able to continue. I know how important BM is and am sorry that I was not able to give more to my son. I know better for next time though and I'm happy about that.

[Drummer's Wife]

You've gotten great advice but I wanted to add that you might also check to see if you qualify for wic. Here they started offering hospital grade pumps Medela lactina I believe for nursing mama's instead of formula. I think you return it when you are done breastfeeding but it would save you. If not then I would start saving for a good pump when you get pregnant. I love my medela PIS and it was worth every penny. even $200+ is less than the cost of formula.

[~member~]

I know for me, I had to try 3 different types of pumps before I found one that worked well.

[mlmkmm]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

You've gotten great advice but I wanted to add that you might also check to see if you qualify for wic. Here they started offering hospital grade pumps Medela lactina I believe for nursing mama's instead of formula. I think you return it when you are done breastfeeding but it would save you. If not then I would start saving for a good pump when you get pregnant. I love my medela PIS and it was worth every penny. even $200+ is less than the cost of formula.

Yes I do qualify for WIC, I haven't heard of them handing out any pumps. Then again they give me money for Formula since he's listed as being a formula fed baby. I believe it's too late for him to be breastfed but that's great for the next baby.

[brisco]

I've had to try a few pumps to find one that works for me at all.

Funnily, what works for me isn't the hospital grade pump I rented, but double pumping by using 2 electric pumps that aren't supposed to be as good.

I use 2 Avent IQ Uno pumps. They aren't cheap, but 2 actually cost me less than their double pump and work just fine for me.

[jadzia's_mommy]

ITA that you need a good double electric pump. I can't do squat with those manual pumps. And pumping does take awhile to get the hang of it. The first few times I pumped, it seemed like nothing was happening. I started awhile before I went back to work so that I had some "practice" before I was actually working. GL!