Any hope?

[happyfamily123]

I have been back at work this is now my third week. Julian will not breastfeed at all from the breast and if I try to pump which I am doing every 2-3 hours I am lucky to get one ounce. I have a medela advanced double electric pump and am using the 30 mm size. I am wondering if I should use the 36 mm size. I pump all day and make enough for two bottles.

 

[asacia]

Large size horns can make a real difference for some women, and is definitely worth trying.

A few things:

Can you try a hospital grade double pump? Do you have a photo/video and something that smells like your baby while pumping? Are you pumping somewhere quiet and private? How long are you pumping for? Have you tried anything to increase your supply?

How long has he been avoiding nursing?

 

[Lu28]

What's this about different sized horns? I have the medela swing and wondered if there was something I could buy to stimulate more milk when pumping...

 

[AP]

I seen these gel type pad in Boots on Saturday that are supposed to help, not sure though!
I know exactly how you are feeling! https://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/st...93&callingViewName=&langId=-1&catalogId=11051

 

[happyfamily123]

He has never nursed well but now it seems impossible for him to even stay content with it for a whole minute. At work I pump upstairs in a quiet room away from the office and I have pictures of him but is never like a stream (like milking a cow lol) but like little drips.

 

[Genna]

Have you tried hot compresses? I soak a small towel in hot water then squeeze it out and hold it over my boobs before expressing and it makes a huge difference! a little massage works too I can get 1 oz from each breast anytime during the day but about 2-2.5 oz from each in the morning or if I am engorged.
What kind of bottle and nipple flow are you using? I use the Gerber Nuk bottles with slow flow nipples so he has to work harder to get the milk out and only feed him 1 oz at a time, while stopping several times and burping him, or just patting him on the back. It takes about 10 minutes for him to finish and he has always gone straight back on the breast after wards. While I'm feeding him from the bottle I try to mimic breast feeding as much as I possibly can
Don't give up! You're doing fantastic!

 

[happyfamily123]

I am thinking about switching to a slower nipple again. I'll try the hot compresses. It's just frustrating. I spend so much time expressing and only make 6 oz a day. Better than nothing I suppose. I've tried fenugreek and now I'm trying the tea.

 

[Genna]

I forgot to ad...

I purchased a manual pump and it does a way better job getting milk out than my electric one. Maybe worth a try? It was only 20 dollars and it was well worth it!

 

[happyfamily123]

I have one, I'll try that too!