Need more breast pumping help

Okay, so I got the Medela Pump in Style and got the larger shields and I started pumping and barely have an ounce of milk in 40 minutes

Is this because this is my first time pumping? What is the average pumping time for a few ounces?

Sorry to be a pain with all of the questions but I really want to start giving DD my milk instead of formula AND I need relief from this engorgement.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

If you are engorged, I would try take a warm shower, then pumping. That worked for me, even a heating pad might do the trick. And believe it or not, looking at the baby while pumping always triggered my let-down.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Re: Need more breast pumping help

It will take some time for you to get a supply for pumping. The suction is different from machine than it is a baby so you will need to pump often like Rachel said. I have the same pump and I would put the suction on about 5 and the speed on about 4 and after about a week or so of pumping I was getting 8oz, double pumping in about 15 minutes. Also you need to drink a lot of fluids. So everytime you breadfeed or pump have a glass of water. It will take some time but before you know it you will have a supply. I only pumped enough to have 3 bottles a day because I gave him bottles at night and breastfed durning the day.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

I would try pumping frequently, but I wouldn't pumo for more than 15-20 minutes or you're going to get sore. Your supply will increase with time. What I did to build my supply was feed Luca, and then pump whatever else was left. I think it started out around an ounce or so and then increased. Some people produce just enough to feed their babies and some people can pump 10 ounces. Everyone is different. You just have to give it some time and see what happens.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

I think it is too early for you to start pumping, first establish a supply as per your daughter's sucking gauge, hand express minimally for comfort in the warm shower.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

It is not to early to pump. If you want to pump, rent a hospital grade pump (Medela Classic or Symphony). This will help to establish your supply, rent it for a month or two (not expensive, and well worth it), to increase your supply. This is more similar to the suck from the infant-stronger than the pump in style. You are not going to have a lot of milk yet, maybe only an once or two. You don't need to pump for 40 minutes. 15-20 minutes for per or both together. I used the Classic to improve my supply to BF my twins. Good Luck.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

My DD never latched on directly- I tried pumping with the pump-in-style and I was never able to get a supply- I heard that I should've gotten a hospital pump or I should've pumped more- but I guess b/w feeding every two hours and pumping every 3 it became too much for me.

good luck!

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Re: Need more breast pumping help

In the beginning I was happy with 0.25ozs. Now at 6 weeks I get 2-5 (depending on how much he gets) and still increasing daily. For me, it's better with middle suction and 10 min on, 5-10 off, then 5-10 on again. Frequent pumping will increase supply in a few days. But again, it is slow progress - try to not get frustrated as this makes it less too!

I also did breast compressions to help. When my DS was crying or in the room or I was holding his hand him I also got more...oh, and a little sleep too!

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Keep pumping frequently and drink lots of water. At the beginnng, I didn't get much at all and had to supplement with formula. Now, it's 9 months later and I'm getting enough to feed him and haven't used formula since the first week.

Good luck.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Posted by MomofAbbyEmily

It is not to early to pump. If you want to pump, rent a hospital grade pump (Medela Classic or Symphony). This will help to establish your supply, rent it for a month or two (not expensive, and well worth it), to increase your supply. This is more similar to the suck from the infant-stronger than the pump in style. You are not going to have a lot of milk yet, maybe only an once or two. You don't need to pump for 40 minutes. 15-20 minutes for per or both together. I used the Classic to improve my supply to BF my twins. Good Luck.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Posted by nrthshgrl

Posted by MrsR

Also in the beggining I put the pump up all the way -it hurt at times...but it WORKED! I used to pump 20 min at a time - all the way up. Once I had a constant good supply I was able to turn it way down, and pump for only 10 minutes and I would get 6-8 ounces.

I did the same. I had to pump from the beginning because ds didn't have enough muscle formed for sucking. I tried nursed one side, then pumped the other. For the next feeding I switched sides. Essentially it doubled my milk supply while still getting him used to the breast.

Glad you're seeing a lacation consultant!

Message edited 2/16/2007 9:03:18 AM.

Re: Need more breast pumping help

Posted by emilain

Posted by MomofAbbyEmily

It is not to early to pump. If you want to pump, rent a hospital grade pump (Medela Classic or Symphony). This will help to establish your supply, rent it for a month or two (not expensive, and well worth it), to increase your supply. This is more similar to the suck from the infant-stronger than the pump in style. You are not going to have a lot of milk yet, maybe only an once or two. You don't need to pump for 40 minutes. 15-20 minutes for per or both together. I used the Classic to improve my supply to BF my twins. Good Luck.

I think she is only a few days old, a breast pump has a much different suction than a baby and your breast needs to become familiar with your own baby's suction. you should just express enough for comfort, at that is all, if not your milk supply will not be as plentiful as it would be with your baby sucking (a baby's suck is much stronger and draws more than a pump).