You just can't get the milk out. Now what?
Try flanges of larger sizes. If your nipples just enlarge and fill the pump opening, no matter what size flange you use, you should try Pumping Pals. They fit into the normal funnel flange and make pumping a lot easier and get milk out more efficiently. But remember that these may fit only certain brands of pumps.
Try using a warm diaper, warm towel, or hot pack (be safe!) on the breasts to aid milk flow.
Until about 12 weeks after delivery, mother's milk could be thick and fatty, hence easily separating and hardening. The result: Pain in the breasts. And inability to empty your breasts by pumping. Try adding soy lecithin (available as capsules) to your diet. This dilutes the milk and helps keep the milk fat suspended in the milk.
If you still suffer from painful, hardened breasts and are unable to pump, or pumping doesn't help empty them, try therapeutic ultrasound. This is used to remove any blocks in the milk ducts using heat. Some mothers say that their milk supply dropped the day after the treatment, so it is important to drink lots of water and fluids after the ultrasound. Also, pumping or breastfeeding immediately after the ultrasound is recommended.
Just like in breastfeeding, pumping shouldn't cause any pain. You cannot force the milk out, you would need 'letdowns'. To get letdowns, take a deep breath and relax, and try imagining a routine with flowing water. Imagine your child feeding from you.
Start pumping with maximum cycles and minimum vacuum settings; this simulates a baby's feeding rhythm. Once you see milk oozing, decrease the cycles and increase the vacuum to a comfortable setting. Keeping vacuum too low will not yield any milk. Setting the vacuum too high will hurt your nipples.
The type of pump you use affects the milk output. Pumping output also improves with time and practice. The body adapts to the pump and gets better as the mother learns how to use the pump. Clean the pump and the piston (if the pump has one) regularly.
This pump or that pump? Which pump is better?
Hospitals suggest renting hospital-grade pumps to establish your milk supply. Ameda Elite is a good option. It has the vacuum and cycles dials for dual control. Older hospital-grade Ameda pumps don't have two dials, they just have one vacuum dial which can be pretty hard on the nipples.
Once your supply is established, you can return the rental pump and use a personal pump such as Medela Pump-in-style advanced to save money as the rentals can get expensive over time.
Buying a 2-Phase Expression, double-sided personal pump could be cheaper and more efficient than renting a hospital-grade pump, especially if you are planning on pumping for more than a couple of months.
Single-side pumps can be time-consuming as you can pump only one side at a time.
Some mothers find manual pumps effective. Most don’t. They are very inexpensive when compared to the electric pumps.
There are vests available to hold the pumping apparatus in place so you can go hands-free.
It is natural to worry about the number of ounces of milk you get, but try not to. You are doing the best for your baby, and it is more important for you to be happy.
Remember that other factors could affect milk supply such as stress, menstrual periods, etc.
Accidents happen and sometimes you might spill a bottle of milk you just pumped. It happens! It is hard to not cry over, but try to let it go. After all, you can't do much about spilt milk!
Note: The author is not compensated by Medela/Ameda for the above article.
Note: The author is not compensated by Medela/Ameda for the above article.
