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Pumping HELP!?

6 posts on this thread and the last post was on August 7th, 2008 10:22 AM
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stefkay - August 5th, 2008 3:49 PM
[Original Post]

Hi, my daughter is 4 weeks old and I just decided to start trying to pump a bit here and there so that I can start saving the milk in the freezer for her dad to feed her occasionally if I need him to. Problem: I started yesterrday and lactation consultant told me morning is better to pump so I did that and came up with about 3 oz. As soon as I finished my daughter started to cry to eat so when I tried to feed her she started freaking out and pulling off and crying. I figured it was because she wasn't able to get much of anything since I'd just pumped. I ended up having to feed her the pumped milk. The same exact thing happened in the evening when I tried again and then we had to feed her the milk again, so all of that for nothing. She drank the milk down from the bottle so fast that she was still kind of fussy after wards. She obviously got plenty of milk, but I guess wasn't happy with how fast it happened? The lactation consultant told me to do no longer than 15 minutes on the pump (I am using a Medela double electric pump and doing both breasts at the same time). I pumped for the 3rd time this morning and was able to hold Ava off long enough to not use it and it is now in the freezer, BUT I only got about 1.5oz from both breasts combined! Is that normal? It seems I should have gotten more? I'm so frustrated at this point. For those of you who pumped AND breastfed, how did you do it and how much did you get when you pumped? How long did you pump for and how did you handle your babies feeding after your pumping? Sorry so many questions...


Charlibabe - August 5th, 2008 4:26 PM

stef-my experience with pumping...cuz i had to pump while brooklynn was in Nicu...I had the same thing as you! I only got a lil bit....to get enough for her to eat when i had to feed her the bottle i had to pump longer...im not suggesting it by anymeans...but I def know how you feel. I can't even pump now cuz she is eating all the time...and what i have is what she eats..there is nothing left to pump. And if i do the same thing happens...she has to eat the bottle i just pumped. So i definatly feel ya there...I can't help ya though cuz I'm still tryin to figure it out. But i thoguht i'd let you know your not alone there


wv_red - August 5th, 2008 7:00 PM

Hi! What helped me was building my supply up first before actually getting enough to freeze. In the mornings see if you can get her to totally empty one side and then pump on that side for 10 mins to make your breast think it needs more then its supplying. If you were able to save the other side pump that one and freeze it. I pump until I cant get anymore and average 5 oz a side. It takes a little bit of time to get it built up but once you do you will be amazed how much you get and how quickly you get it. It is normal to start out only getting 2 oz or less a session. Pump after you feed so she will be full. I hope this helps if not let me know.. hehe I will help any way I can.


stefkay - August 5th, 2008 7:27 PM

wvred, thank you! So you think I should feed on one side and pump the other instead of trying to pump both at the same time? I just worry that she will freak because usually I will let her go for some time on one side and then she always wants more so then I switch her to the other. I don't know if she'd be ok with just doing one side? Not sure...Oh, and how soon after I feed her should I pump if I do it after her feeding? I just figured I'd be empty or close to it right after a feeding so that is why I waited about an hour, but by then I pump and she is ready to eat again, you know?



sarah21 - August 5th, 2008 8:31 PM

Pump right after you feed. You'll get another let down, it might take a while but you'll get it, and eventually build up more milk to pump out.


cors1wfe - August 7th, 2008 2:00 AM

STEF - I would say try feeding her from both sides if that what she normally does THEN pump both. I never really pumped before I fed Aidan I had plenty of milk after about 10 days of getting my supply up. Don't give up.....I know you are determined - I am on the verge of giving up - my nipple hurt so bad - I wanted to put her back on the breast and she really likes it but good grief I want to jump out of my skin when she latches on I know that because I have been using that other nipple that my nipples aren't that tough but good grief ....I even bought formula but can't bring myself to give her more than 8oz in a day....she drinks it down so quickly I feel like maybe I have been starving her but if that were true she wouldn't sleep 6 hrs a night! so.....????? gotta try to stick with it at least until I get a job


CourtneYnCorbin - August 7th, 2008 10:22 AM

I have heard it is different for everyone. Myself, I was able to do both, but my family history, we all had a large milk supply. The more you pump, the more milk you will produce. I was only able to do it until my son was a month old. It isn't horrible to give you baby formula if you aren't able to feed him/her.