Very Slow Letdown

[Mommy2008]

Can someone please give me some ideas whats going on here? Last night, I pumped AFTER DS had his last BFing for the night and AFTER my shower. I double pumped, and it took 15 mins for my milk to let down. When it finally did, I only got about .50oz per breast. Im sure this was due to the fact that DS just nursed not even an hour before. Im not really concerned at this point with the amount Im pumping out, but the fact that my let down is taking a LONG time. I pumped for a total of 30 mins straight and only got 1oz total for both boobs and only let down once in 30 mins, which took 15 mins to get to that.

My concern is that I have to go back to work in about a month, and I am not going to have 15 mins to WAIT for my milk to let down, I will only be able to step away for about 15 mins TOTAL. And, I will need to pump 3X in 12 hrs.

I think I am going to call our local LC on Mon. and maybe drop by there with my pump to have them take a look at it. Maybe its the pump? I have the MEDELA PISA, and Yes, I have changed the membranes recently.

Is it normal for my letdown to take THIS long with pumping? It never used to take this long? FWIW, when DS nurses, it lets down within 2 mins, most times much sooner.

Thanks

[Nipple_nectar]

First of all, how old is your baby and how long did your nursing session last? Then how much time elapsed from the beginning of the nursing session until the beginning of your pumping session?

These answers will help explain better but obviously there are variables involved. Hypothetically, if you nursed for forty minutes and then attempted to pump an hour later, you have demonstrated that your breasts are never empty as you did manage to pump an ounce.

Most times after your baby has effectively removed most of the milk from the breast, there is very little to pump and there is no letdown because these ducts are empty for the most part and filling.

You have also learned that if you stimulate your breasts long enough as compared to a baby nursing for hours during a growth spurt, you can elicit another letdown.

This however, cannot be compared with when you are away from baby and are due to nurse. Your breasts will be full and letdown should occur within minutes of pumping if your breasts haven't been emptied in the last 120 minutes, generally speaking.

If you are away from your baby for 12 hours, how many nursing sessions will you be missing? The reason I ask is I think from your post, you are proposing pumping evey four hours? I would pump more than that.

Remember when away from baby, it is the frequency of pumping sessions and not the length of each individual session that yields the most milk;-)

[Mommy2008]

First of all, how old is your baby and how long did your nursing session last? Then how much time elapsed from the beginning of the nursing session until the beginning of your pumping session?

These answers will help explain better but obviously there are variables involved. Hypothetically, if you nursed for forty minutes and then attempted to pump an hour later, you have demonstrated that your breasts are never empty as you did manage to pump an ounce.

Most times after your baby has effectively removed most of the milk from the breast, there is very little to pump and there is no letdown because these ducts are empty for the most part and filling.

You have also learned that if you stimulate your breasts long enough as compared to a baby nursing for hours during a growth spurt, you can elicit another letdown.

This however, cannot be compared with when you are away from baby and are due to nurse. Your breasts will be full and letdown should occur within minutes of pumping if your breasts haven't been emptied in the last 120 minutes, generally speaking.

If you are away from your baby for 12 hours, how many nursing sessions will you be missing? The reason I ask is I think from your post, you are proposing pumping evey four hours? I would pump more than that.

Remember when away from baby, it is the frequency of pumping sessions and not the length of each individual session that yields the most milk;-)


Ok..sorry..DS is almost 5 mos old. He ate at 730am for about 6 mins total off both breasts [he drains me very quickly] and I started pumping at 947am so about 2 hrs.

Well, I work night shift 7pm-730am and DS on average only nurses as of right now about 1X per night...some nights not nursing at all...so techinally, I shouldnt be pumping much at all while at work all night since DS will be sleeping most of the night, but to keep up my supply, I am planning on aiming for at least 3 sessions. Its very hard to get 10-15 mins away at my job..I work on a busy L&D unit. So, its going to be somewhat challengine to get away for 15 mins 3X or more per shift. If I can get 3 pumping sessions in, I will be happy

[Nipple_nectar]

Oh wow, in that case! You'll be working while he is sleeping and nursing as usual during the day? Yes, at five months old a baby can very effectively empty the breast very quickly!

Then you only need to pump to maintain a level of comfort. If your body is already used to taking a 12 hour break then it would not even be necessary to pump at all:)

I would just follow babys cues and pump to meet his demand from the following night. If he begins to wake more frequently, you'll have to pump accordingly. For example, if he begins to wake 3 times nightly, then I would be pumping to meet that demand.

My DD1 had a horrid phase of frequent waking from 12 to 18 months on the hour~ ugh!