[jt'smum]

I have a Medela Lactina electric pump that WIC has loaned me for 30 days. The LC was very sure that I would be able to pump at least 4oz at a time. I was very excited as I am working more and so far DD has gotten a "shot" of breastmilk with her formula at those feedings. So I get home nurse DD she goes to sleep I sit down to pump and 45 min later only 1oz. I am sooo irritated.

What am I doing wrong? What can I do to get more? I know I produce enough as DD is 17lbs and 261/2 long. So she is getting enough but darn it I want to pump some for her. I can't leave my job to come home and nurse and she eats every two hours. Please any tips would be great. I am really getting stressed about it.

 

[Baby_Cakes]

Are you having an initial let down? Are you relaxing when you pump or are you staring at those bottles with dagger eyes waiting for milk? I usually look at pictures of DD to help with initial let down and then once the milk starts flowing I do some massage and compression (I'm not one of those who can let the pump do all the work).

Keep in mind that pumping even 1 oz per side per session is well within the range of completely normal.

www.kellymom.com has GREAT info for pumping more. I was able to increase my output by following tips from there.

 

[christiab]

Pumping for 45 min won't get you anything except soreness!!

You may need a larger flange. The WIC kits typically come with a 24 and a 27 mm flange. Try the larger one and see if you get any more milk.

Try guided imagery, like thinking of waterfalls and babies.

You can also try pumping while baby nurses on the other side. You'll trigger a letdown from the nursing, so you should be able to increase your results.

Your body follows a circadian rythmn. You may get more milk from early-morning pumpings and very little in the evenings. That's normal.

Hope something helps!

 

[hotharmony]

It can take a while to get used to the pump don't give up right away. Be as relaxed as you can and think about milk flowing from you and feeding your baby.

 

[jt'smum]

I got 2ox yesterday and today have gotten 4. I pumped first thing this am so that might be the time to do it. I also used the larger flange and put on DD's nightime cd. Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[radosti]

I read a magazine when I pump. I cannot look at the bottles at all or it stops coming. I can't even think about it. I just enjoy my reading break. I've overflowed the 5 oz medela bottles several times because I wasn't looking, but it's better than NOT having milk... which is my problem now as I'm again pregnant and my DS2 is 10 months old.

 

[MommyMarshall]

I have the same problem and have tried all sorts of solutions. Luckily I don't need to pump, it is just nice to be able to leave dh at home with a bottle to give ds if I'm out for some reason.
I'm wondering now if one of my problems is that I'm constantly watching the small 1 drop at time flow of my milk into the bottle.

hmmmm never thought of that.

 

[jt'smum]

I pumped an other 2 oz today...I guess that is good. Just upset I can't get more. DD is still nursing every two hours except at night. I am going to change my work schedule so I can feed before I leave and only work 3 hours at a time. I am really bummed out. I want to nurse her for as long as she wants to nurse but at some point I have to work more the 3 hours at a time. We gave her cereal that doesn't help she gobbles it up though. She does get 4oz of formula a day. I have tons of guilt over that. Just have this fear that the 4 oz will lead to more and then we will be done. I know she wants to nurse though last night when she heard my voice and saw me she went from happily rolling on floor to rolling to me and fussing, she wanted to nurse! So that is good, just want to have tantrum though when all I get is one ounce.