Expressing breastmilk

TammyD · Sep 17th, 2007, 08:42 AM

Need advice from moms who breastfed/are breastfeeding!! Is it possible to nurse the baby perfectly by latching, but be totally unable to express using a pump? That is, the baby seems to be suckling fine, but when I pump, nothing comes out.

Sternchen · Sep 17th, 2007, 08:56 AM

Yes, it is. Many women get tense when using the pump and have trouble expressing. This is why many pumps actually have a place to put a picture of the baby, so you're thinking and looking at the baby while pumping. This kind of tricks the mind into thinking your baby is at the breast and then you will be able to express.

Keep trying, and try out different pumps and methods!

TammyD · Sep 17th, 2007, 09:09 AM

THANKS, Lamiastella!!

SunnyFreckles · Sep 17th, 2007, 09:12 AM

Good luck, lady! I struggled so much when I started nursing, and then later pumping. Lamiastella had a great idea about having a pic of baby. Keep it up, GF, you will do great!!

lvluvver · Sep 17th, 2007, 09:23 AM

You can also have baby feeding and express the other side at the same time, that can help. Sometimes its just not possible to express, I never could, even when I had a huge supply. I think its just a machine simply does not provide the same sucking motion as a baby, Best of luck with it though.

I definetly reccomend trying a few different types of pumps.

elyse · Sep 17th, 2007, 10:24 AM

I think the brand of pump also plays a part. Go for Medela!

Selena · Sep 17th, 2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TammyD

Need advice from moms who breastfed/are breastfeeding!! Is it possible to nurse the baby perfectly by latching, but be totally unable to express using a pump? That is, the baby seems to be suckling fine, but when I pump, nothing comes out.

Its TOTALLY normal. I nursed both my boys (extended breastfeeding) and both were exclusively breastfed for the first full 12 months (NO SUPPLIMENTATION) and I would let down whenever I heard them cry or smell their clothes but I could NEVER express or use a pump. I just froze up. It was weird. Do you have to pump?

Swanky Mama Of Three · Sep 17th, 2007, 10:31 AM

I sucked at pumping {no pun intended}, what I did that really helped was got larged flanges {make sure your areola is completely inside the flange} and used a heating pad on my chest to assist w/ let down for a minute before trying to pump. Also, do it straight out of the shower when they're still really warm.

What pump are you using?

ada726 · Sep 17th, 2007, 10:39 AM

I found eating almonds while I pumped really helped. Good luck....

kcf68 · Sep 17th, 2007, 11:34 AM

I used a Medela and it worked fast and pumped well. You might not have a good suction around the areola. Make sure that is latched... I also expressed in the morning when I woke up and are fully loaded (No pun intended) ..Good luck and keep trying... Breast milk is the best for baby....

Sternchen · Sep 17th, 2007, 11:41 AM

When I wrote my first comment, I didn't have the time to add my experience to it

I had a bit of trouble pumping in the beginning too. I was so worried that I was going to do something wrong or hurt myself (IDK where that crazy idea came from, lol) that nothing would come out. I talked to some of the wonderful women in my birth month group at the hospital and they gave me some tips, and my lactation consultant came to my home one day and had me show her what I was doing, and gave me a few pointers and tips. She's the one who actually suggested the baby picture thing to me. My pump has a little slot for a picture, but I never knew what it was used for, so I just left it empty until my LC told me what it was for and how it could help.

Swanky also has a good tip. Warm compresses can help with letdown and (for me) make my breasts less sore and tender.

Kcf, you and I do the same: pump first thing in the morning. Julia sleeps through the night now and very rarely has a feeding in the middle of the night - so by the time I've woken up, my boobs are nearly overflowing, lol. Getting a pumping schedule going is good. Your breasts will know what to expect and when, and once you get the hang of it everything will work out smoothly!

TammyD · Sep 18th, 2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selena

Do you have to pump?

I will eventually because I'm going back to work. I hope something happens before then!

TammyD · Sep 18th, 2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanky Mama Of Three

What pump are you using?

Avent ISIS handpump. It's supposed to be industrial standard.

TammyD · Sep 18th, 2007, 12:21 PM

Thanks for your advice, everyone!!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Sep 20th, 2007, 04:23 PM

I know that Isis is excellent, but a handpump is a little harder than an electric, you may want to rent one and see if it makes a difference.

Sep 17th, 2007, 08:42 AM	#1
TammyD Rising Star Location: the global village	Expressing breastmilk Need advice from moms who breastfed/are breastfeeding!! Is it possible to nurse the baby perfectly by latching, but be totally unable to express using a pump? That is, the baby seems to be suckling fine, but when I pump, nothing comes out.

Sep 17th, 2007, 08:56 AM	#2
Sternchen We're having a boy!! Location: Beauty RAOK	Re: Expressing breastmilk Yes, it is. Many women get tense when using the pump and have trouble expressing. This is why many pumps actually have a place to put a picture of the baby, so you're thinking and looking at the baby while pumping. This kind of tricks the mind into thinking your baby is at the breast and then you will be able to express. Keep trying, and try out different pumps and methods! __________________ My 2 wonderful girls, Nicole (5) and Julia (1) will be big sisters soon! My pregnancy blog

Sep 17th, 2007, 09:09 AM	#3
TammyD Rising Star Location: the global village	Re: Expressing breastmilk THANKS, Lamiastella!!

Sep 17th, 2007, 09:12 AM	#4
SunnyFreckles ~Cute 'n Proud~ Location: Near corn fields...	Re: Expressing breastmilk Good luck, lady! I struggled so much when I started nursing, and then later pumping. Lamiastella had a great idea about having a pic of baby. Keep it up, GF, you will do great!! __________________ <>< *Sunny's Collection*

Sep 17th, 2007, 09:23 AM	#5
lvluvver I wish..... Location: Australia	Re: Expressing breastmilk You can also have baby feeding and express the other side at the same time, that can help. Sometimes its just not possible to express, I never could, even when I had a huge supply. I think its just a machine simply does not provide the same sucking motion as a baby, Best of luck with it though. I definetly reccomend trying a few different types of pumps. __________________ Purchases: 15/09/07 Porte-Moannie Zip To get: Mono Pochette, Pomme cles and a shoulder bag... Last edited by lvluvver; Sep 17th, 2007 at 09:25 AM.

Sep 17th, 2007, 10:24 AM	#6
elyse Member	Re: Expressing breastmilk I think the brand of pump also plays a part. Go for Medela!

Sep 17th, 2007, 10:31 AM	#8
Swanky Mama Of Three Location: Dallas Area	Re: Expressing breastmilk I sucked at pumping {no pun intended}, what I did that really helped was got larged flanges {make sure your areola is completely inside the flange} and used a heating pad on my chest to assist w/ let down for a minute before trying to pump. Also, do it straight out of the shower when they're still really warm. What pump are you using? __________________ Holy inappropriateness!!! - a la Bethenny

Sep 17th, 2007, 10:39 AM	#9
ada726 Member	Re: Expressing breastmilk I found eating almonds while I pumped really helped. Good luck....

Sep 17th, 2007, 11:34 AM	#10
kcf68 Handbag Addict Location: Finally on the West Coast!!!	Re: Expressing breastmilk I used a Medela and it worked fast and pumped well. You might not have a good suction around the areola. Make sure that is latched... I also expressed in the morning when I woke up and are fully loaded (No pun intended) ..Good luck and keep trying... Breast milk is the best for baby....

Sep 17th, 2007, 11:41 AM	#11
Sternchen We're having a boy!! Location: Beauty RAOK	Re: Expressing breastmilk When I wrote my first comment, I didn't have the time to add my experience to it I had a bit of trouble pumping in the beginning too. I was so worried that I was going to do something wrong or hurt myself (IDK where that crazy idea came from, lol) that nothing would come out. I talked to some of the wonderful women in my birth month group at the hospital and they gave me some tips, and my lactation consultant came to my home one day and had me show her what I was doing, and gave me a few pointers and tips. She's the one who actually suggested the baby picture thing to me. My pump has a little slot for a picture, but I never knew what it was used for, so I just left it empty until my LC told me what it was for and how it could help. Swanky also has a good tip. Warm compresses can help with letdown and (for me) make my breasts less sore and tender. Kcf, you and I do the same: pump first thing in the morning. Julia sleeps through the night now and very rarely has a feeding in the middle of the night - so by the time I've woken up, my boobs are nearly overflowing, lol. Getting a pumping schedule going is good. Your breasts will know what to expect and when, and once you get the hang of it everything will work out smoothly! __________________ My 2 wonderful girls, Nicole (5) and Julia (1) will be big sisters soon! My pregnancy blog

Sep 18th, 2007, 12:21 PM	#14
TammyD Rising Star Location: the global village	Re: Expressing breastmilk Thanks for your advice, everyone!!

Sep 20th, 2007, 04:23 PM	#15
Swanky Mama Of Three Location: Dallas Area	Re: Expressing breastmilk I know that Isis is excellent, but a handpump is a little harder than an electric, you may want to rent one and see if it makes a difference. __________________ Holy inappropriateness!!! - a la Bethenny