Pumping Isn't Working!!

I'm not sure what kind of pump you have, but it could be that some of the pump parts need to be replaced. Many companies that make breast pumps have a 1-800 number you can call and speak to a lactation consultant, or at least a customer service person who is knowledgeable on how their pumps should operate. They might be able to offer some suggestions. I did that for my Medela PIS Advanced when it wasn't working well, and it turns out there was a flaw in that model that made it need a new faceplate and tubing. The company replaced it for free! It also pays to replace the membranes regularly if you start to see a noticeable decrease in production.

I also saw that the previous poster mentioned fenugreek. It really does work - you can get it at GNC or a healthfood store and it usually comes in 580-610 mg caplets. You take 2 at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A friend of mine who pumps exclusively said that it increased her milk supply by 2-3 oz per side per pumping session, and that happened within 3 days! I recently used it when I needed to pump and freeze a stash for when I went on my first trip away from baby, and it did seem to increase how much I was able to pump immediately after feeding baby.

The other thing is to make sure you are getting adequate stimulation in the morning and at night to keep your supply up. Maybe do an extra feeding or 2 when you are with your baby to help boost production, and/or pump immediately after feeding your baby until you empty your breasts. When your breasts are completely emptied it tells your body to make more milk. One way to help with this is to pump one side at a time and use the opposite hand to massage the breast and make sure all the ducts are being emptied - takes a little longer but it is well worth the results!

Best wishes! I hope you continue to have the joy of breastfeeding your son! Let us know what you find out! :o)

Hi S.,

Oh my, I just typed out this response and it dissapeared, so I will try again.

I know how you are feeling but there is hope, I made it to 15 months of pumping. I too only got an ounce or if I was lucky I'd get 2 ounces out each time I'd pump at work. I worked in a place that was unfriendly to pumping and I had to pump in a filthy restroom in the highest traffic area in our building so people heard me pumping and I heard them passing by and it was stressful. People could also see me through a vent in the bottom of the door which I tried to tape closed each time I was in there, but I also had to clean the potty to set my pump on, drag in a chair to sit in and assemble the pump. I was on a strict timeline and had to clock out each time I pumped so I was stressed and had a hard time letting down. What helped was to bring headphones to relax and I also made a tape of my son crying and babbling and also had a picture of him in the pocket of the pump. What also helped was to rig my pump up to make it hands free so I'd have a free hand to massage the milk out. I just used a rubber band and tied it into a figure 8 and attached one end around the pump flange and the other end attached to the hook on my nursing bra. Also, every few minutes I would turn the pump off for about 30 seconds while I massage the milk out and then would turn it back on to try to get another letdown.

The best thing I did was to pump first thing in the morning when I had the most milk. Sometimes I pumped before my son woke up and other times I'd use the hands free idea above and pump on one side while my son nursed on the other and his nursing helped me letdown and I always produced more milk this way. I also pumped this way each time my son nursed on the weekends and was able to get enough milk this way and never had to supplement. Occasionally I'd get low on my supply and I would have to get up overnight for a few days and pump.

I had the Medela Pump in Style Advanced which is supposed to be the best, but some people just do not letdown as easily as others.

I also took fenugreek, alfalfa and used a liquid supplement called Mother's Milk Plus you just add to water as well as Mother's Milk Tea - all of which you can get at a larger health food store.

If you need any other advice, please let me know. I think I saw you also live in Edmond.

I am now pregnant with my 3rd child and have thankfully never had to use a drop of formula. It's not easy, but so worth it to give your baby God's perfect nutrition designed just for your child.

Good Luck! You can do it! God Bless!
K.

First, make sure your water and whole food (not processed or fast food) intake is adaquate. If your water and nutrient level is low, your body will sacrifice production in order to feed you first. Try pumping while you're breastfeeding, it will boost your level real quick. I wasnt able to have a let-down while pumping, so this worked for me - I used the Avent Isis, a portable one-hand design & was super cheap. I pulled a whole gallon in the first two months. Good luck and dont give up! :}

Do you feel that the problem is with your milk production or with your pump? I also had this problem when I went back to work. I spoke with the lactation nurse and they told me to go to the health food store and get fenugreek. It is a natural herb that is supposed to help increase your milk production. She also told me to manually stimulate my breast before I pumped because sometimes the breast pump just doesn't do the same job as your baby does. She also told me to pump about every 2 hours and make sure you are eating well and drinking lots of water. I tried that for a little while but I couldn't keep it up. It just took up to much of my day pumping every 2 hours. Unfortunately I had to switch to formula and he did very well with that. A friend of mine told me that Sam's club has the generic brand of formula for the enfamil lipil brand that she used and worked great for her baby. So I did alot of research on this and compared everything between the two. They were practically the same. I have been using this with my son for almost 6 months now and he has done great on it. Anyway for a 2 lb container of it cost 20.00. One container last my son between 2 and 3 weeks. Good luck!