Pumping/breastfeeding

Another place to look for pumps is at www.hackleyhme.com. I bought my medela pump in style there for $200, and there was no shipping cost either. I pumped exclusivly with it as I have triplets, and I never had any problems with it. No discomfort, very easy. Hope this helps, and best wishes. Agreed on the lots and lots of water, that also really makes a difference.

I have the same problem, no it's not an indication of how much milk you have. Drinking lots of water helps as well as trying to do it in the morning when you've got more. The best trick I do is pump while breastfeeding. You let down on both sides so take advantage!! You will probably want to get him taking a bottle soon, even if you don't really need to so that you don't miss "the window". Also since they say that breastfed babies need iron supplement, I put a little in each bottle when I do give it to her. Good luck!

Please, first of all relax. I understand your sense of urgency, but despite what you may have heard, it is never to late to introduce a bottle, more difficult yes, but not impossible. In fact, getting the hang of breastfeeding is most important, and if difficulties arise there then, that is very troubling. Congratulations, it sounds like you're already off to a great start with breastfeeding and on your way to a wonderful bonding experience with your baby. Now, when you need a breather from that sometimes suffocating relationship, it is nice to have a supply handy for Dad or other caregivers. The first few times you pump, you'll only get about an ounce. So, good work trying. Try, try again. Pick a regular time and pump every day for a few days at the same time of day to build up production and a supply. Which brings me to the best of breast pumps, the "Pump In Style" by Medela. I have used it through three babies now. Perfect for my first baby who found it medically necessary for me to pump my milk for him every few hours from birth. In your case, I would recommend Medela's variety of smaller pumps. Check out their website, www.medela.com, for products and pick up their Breastfeeding Information Guide while you're there. Here's to happy breastfeeding and successful pumping for you and your baby!

I also never had much luck with manual pumps. The Medela electric Pump-n-style was GREAT! They are expensive but worth the money. You might find a used one and then buy your own attachments. Good luck!

S.,
Oh, I hope you get this! I read your msg this morning, but at 11pm, i'm just getting time to reply!
Jessicas response was CORRECT! I'm so glad that at least one person wrote about what you are pumping is EXTRA =) LOL, rejoice, your baby is nursing regularly & whatever you get in addition is "extra". I have been thru 4 lactation consultants & LLL thinking something was wrong with me. At 5 wks old your munchkin is getting all he needs you will build up a nice stash. Just be sure to keep it in the far back of your freezer, NOT on the door & at 0degrees it should keep at least 6 mo if the freezer isnt opened a lot. I'm apart of a "milkshare" board & have donated TONS of milk. My baby was in the NICU & then at 2.5 mo at PCH for 1 mo so I had to pump constantly to keep my supply while she was on IV nutrition only. Feel free to call me anytime if you need another nursing/pumping mom to talk to. My baby girl is almost 10 mo now & I'm so grateful I stuck it out.
Also, it can take a full 6 wks for your full supply to come in, so you are doing great!
BTW, I have a hospital grade Medela Symphony AND, Pump in Style AND Avent Isis, lol. Yes, thats how ridiculous I have been. (But, my daughter was born needing surgery & I was determined to keep her on breastmilk knowing all the benefits & wanting to give her the best chance) And, funny to say, but the Avent Isis is my favorite.
Also, eat a TON & drink plenty of water...my supply goes WAY down when I dont.
S.
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Hey, you will get less if you have a manual pump versus an electric one. Electric ones are the best pumps. The manual ones don't have enough suction, and don't force enough out. I would buy an electric one.

You'll usually get much less with a pump than your baby will get by breastfeeding. Your body and hormones react differently to a baby than a machine. It might be the kind of pump you're using. Haven't heard many positive things about that brand. You might want to try a Medela. Keep with the breastfeeding, though. I only ended up having to give my daughter a bottle once (actually the babysitter did) when I went out with my husband for his birthday dinner when my daughter was about 4 months old. And it took me all freaking day to pump that one bottle.
You can always contact the local La Leche League for help or advice as well. You can find the local leader's information on www.llli.org.

AAAH, I hate that pump with a purple passion!!!! I could never get anything out of it either. Go get an electric one. It's worth the money if you need it. I went middle of the road and got the playtex nurser system and am very satisfied. Also make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Hot tea always did well with me and make sure you try mother's milk tea too. Drink water til you are sick of it and make sure you eat plenty too. I have to eat every 2 hours.

I am unable to get a letdown with the pump alone (I have the Medela Pump In Style), so I started feeding my daughter on one side and pumping on the other. I am usually able to get 2-3 oz at a time. It's not a lot, but I've been able to build up a nice stock of breastmilk over time.

I never had much luck with any pump from the store. Last year I rented a Mandela pump and it made a world of difference! I was able to nurse for a longer period of time and my husband loved it because he was involved in feeding our baby.

I would say that there is a good chance that it is the pump. I had that with my daughter and I could never get it to work no matter what I tried. I don't think many moms know how important it is to have a good pump, and I didn't realize it with my first until it was too late. I couldn't get enough milk to supply my daughter while I was at a work and I ended up having a hard time with my supply. I never had a problem with my Pump in Style Advanced, they cost a pretty penny, but you would spend more in formula over a period of time than you would on the pump. It was almost 3 years ago that I used that pump so maybe it has changed, but I suggest looking into a new pump. Also, if baby seems satisfied after a feeding and is gaining weight, then it is most likely the pump.

My lactation consultant suggested waiting until 6 weeks (I am sure at 5 weeks it would be ok) to give a bottle to make sure that they have the hang of breastfeeding. Introducing too many different nipples (mom and bottle) can confuse them, especially since it is easier to eat from the bottle. I would personally want my baby to refuse a bottle as opposed to refusing the breast. Just try to find a nipple that is similar to the breast.

www.kellymom.com has really great advice for a lot of breastfeeding questions.
Good luck!

You may want to go out and purchase the Medela Breast pump. I do have brand new attachments if that helps. I breastfeed my son for 16 months and he was never on a botle. The pump is the best one out there. You can check craigslist for one,or call your nearest hospital to see if you can rent one. Also if you're military they rent them on base at the medical center. Any questions regarding breastfeeding please feel free to email me. Many Blessings

Babies R Us rents pumps so you can find the right one for you.

I have that pump in addition to a Pump in Style that I use at work. It's a lot harder to get the hang of than an electric pump, but since I had been doing the PIS, I knew what I was looking for. First, I have better luck taking out the plastic 'pad' thing in the flange. Second, are you getting real suction at all? I mean the kind that actually pulls your nipple a noticeable distance? (If you've pumped before, ignore me, but I had no idea this was what was supposed to happen in the beginning.) It sometimes takes me a lot of adjusting with the lever and checking the little white filter to get it to actually form suction. And then I have to do the little "let down" fast pumping for probably a couple minutes before the milk starts to flow - far more than the seven or eight times the instructions say. And this has been true even when I was really engorged and it should have been easy. It's working if you get a stream to actually shoot out. If you get that for any amount of time, I wouldn't worry about the amount you're pumping - as the others have said, this is extra on top of what your baby's eating.

If you have just started pumping, for some people it can take a while for you to start getting milk from pumping. I would pump on each side for about 5-10 min. Have you tried turning up the suction? I was told that before putting the the pump on your breast to put a little breast milk around the edge so you can get good suction. Also I had to massage/ squeeze my breast while pumping to get the milk flowing.
Don't worry about your baby getting enough-as long as he is gaining weight and it having the right amount of wet diapers he probably fine.
Good luck!

I doubt it is the pump. I would pump with both kids for 45 minutes and be lucky to get an ounce. That's just how my body worked. With this third pregnancy, though, I let the doctor know and she said that there may be an issue with my let down. So she is going get me talking with a lactation specialist right after I have the baby. So this might be a good idea for you to talk to your doc about.
It sounds like lots of people are recommending the Medala pump. I have this electric one and had the above results. Try renting one first before spending a bunch of money on purchasing one. If that is the issue, great. If not, call the doc.

Hi S.. Congrats on the new little one, and kudos on your decision to breast feed! if your little guy is gaining weight and feeling satisfied after feedings, you are making enough milk. If you are nursing exclusively, it takes some time to build up a supply since he's taking most of what you are making. But the pump is definitely key to successful pumping. I used an Ameda Purely Yours electric double pump for both of my kids. Neither of them ever had formula and I am a working mom. So I was able to keep up with them no problem. And I wasn't one of these women with an over abundance of milk. I actually still have the pump and am totally done with it (no more kiddos for me). I am looking to sell it if you're interested. I'm thinking in the $75 range. The package I have retails for about $300. Even though it is a few years old (my oldest is 3), it works beautifully. Only thing is it never worked right with batteries so I always plugged it in. But I have the back pack and all of the accessories too. You'd just need to get new flanges. Let me know if you'd be interested. Good luck!

I used the cheap evenflow electric pump and had to crank it all the way up. I have also used the super expensive medela hospital pump and didn't have much luck with it. So, I wouldn't say you need to go out and buy something expensive. Try placing a warm washcloth on your breast for a few minutes before you pump and maybe hand express some to help letdown and see if that makes a difference. Also, with a manual pump, it's harder to find the rythym and pace that helps your milk flow best...at least it was for me, so I gave up on that quick, especially since my hand would get seriously sore!

Spring for the double electric pump! Especially if you'll go back to work at any point, or if you'd like to have daddy bond with the baby feeding a bottle full of breastmilk. Buy it craigslist if you have to, and you can get replacement parts for Medela at Target. (The shields are the part you'll want brand new.) Those manuals will give you carpel tunnel!

Try your manual pump in the shower. Sometimes that helps. If your baby is gaining weight and having at least 6 wet diapers daily, then he is getting enough milk. Hospital-grade pumps (available for rental) are typically the best for stimulating good milk expression but each woman is different. You could try a one month rental to see what happens. Try to get to a Lactation Consultant -- they may have an electric pump you could try.

Good Luck!

Another thing to keep in mind is that it sounds like your baby is breastfeeding full time and so whatever you are pumping is not a reflection on your milk supply, but is extra milk that you are producing. So while it would be nice to have extra milk to freeze, you sould look at it as though you have enough milk for your baby with just a little left over. And its true. That could help you relax and not worry so much when you are pumping and trying to get an even bigger supply. It will take some time for your body to know what the demand is and build up to meet it. But be sure you relax, stress is the biggest inhibitor to milk production and let downs out there. And keep in mind you will never pump as much as your baby is drinking.
Good luck.

It could be your supply...but that doesn't necessarily mean your supply is low! He's probably only drinking a couple of ounces. A breastpump is not as efficient as your baby so you'll pump less than he is eating. You could try renting an electric pump to see if you get more milk that way...they are more efficient than a handheld pump. Your milk supply is also supposed to be higher in the morning because the baby hasn't cleaned you out yet :) I always get more in the early afternoon. I would go on to the Medela sight for some suggestions or ask your Dr or your pediatrician and see if they have any info. Good luck!