letting down reflex while pumping

[mythreesons]

I am currently using my breast pump to begin building a milk supply for when I return to work in late July. I am pumping 3 hrs after my son goes to sleep at night and after his first feeding in the morning. (I have only been doing this for two days.) If I do not feel the letting down reflex/sensation and I am only getting about 1/2 oz of milk....is the breast empty because the supply is not usually there at that time or am I not letting down? If I am not letting down how do I solve this problem? If the milk is simply not there how long til the supply increases for these new times I am pumping?

Thanks!

[RedheadbyChoice]

What kind of pump are you using? I got a lot more milk if I massaged the chest/breast area before I started pumping, and then, shaking down and doing it again, in the middle of the session.

If you've just started pumping, not seeing a larger amount of milk shouldn't discourage you. 1--your body needs to adjust to the pump and 2--the pump isn't an accurate gauge of your milk supply.

Would it be possible to rent a hospital grade pump for a month? To give that pumping a jump start?

Here are a few links as well:

how much expressed milk will my baby need? (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html)

bottlefeeding the BF baby (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html)

alternate feeding methods (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html)

not pumping enough milk, what can I do? (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html)

workign and pumping tips (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-pumping.html)

[DecemberBaby]

You said you do not feel you let down? Try relaxing more or bring a picture to look at of your baby. Sometimes I do not get a let down for almost five minutes...especially if I am stressed. And it can be stressful/ akward when you first start pumping. It is a must for me to message my breast while pumping to get more milk. Good luck momma! You are going to do just fine.

[mythreesons]

I have a medela 2006 backpack pump. It seems to be in perfect working order. I checked everything last night. I think it's just that since my son goes to bed at 8:30 and usually doesn't eat again till around 2-3am, the milk just wasn't there. However, I never did feel the let down sensation so I was wondering if the milk was there, but not coming out. Who knows....you would think that since I have 2 other kids I would know this, but this is the longest I have had the opportunity to breast feed.

I also know I get a little anxious when I go to pump. I printed out some photos of the baby and I am going to try massaging before and during to see if that helps.

Thanks for the website links. I will check them out.

[RedheadbyChoice]

So what time exactly did you pump? The breasts are never empty, momma. But, not all women respond to the pump in the same way. And again, you've just started pumping, it almost always gets better once it's on a regular basis, KWIM?

I know many women say it helps them to do anything else EXCEPT look at the pump/bottles. Try surfing online, reading a book, whatever, so that you're not actually thinking about pumping.

[mythreesons]

I just got through pumping and FINALLY, easily got almost 5 ozs between the 2 b's. I talked with my 4 yr old while looking at pictures of the baby. I also massaged 1/2 through. I am so proud(as lame as that might sound).

[RedheadbyChoice]

That's fabulous, momma! And that's considerably above the average, WRT output!

*\o/* *\o/* *\o/*

You have every reason to be proud, that's not lame at all. :)

[paigesmomma]

The biggest thing for me in getting a letdown and good results it to not worry about it. Do not watch the output, look at pictures of your baby, smell something that has his smell on it, and distract yourself. I usually come on here or read a book while I am pumping.

[mythreesons]

My biggest long term worry is my son going hungry while I am gone.

[RedheadbyChoice]

My biggest long term worry is my son going hungry while I am gone.


:hug: I know it is.

But, by the time you're back at your paying job, he'll be older and there's the option of some solids. Or, an EBM slushie. Or, by then, using a sippy cup, to drink EBM. He most certainly won't starve, momma.

[DecemberBaby]

That is awesome!!! You got a lot in that pumping session!

[mythreesons]

That is awesome!!! You got a lot in that pumping session!


Thanks!!! I am very encouraged!