Extremely frustrated about pumping sessions /: HELP!

[3xpire]

I'm a little confused here.

I just started using an actual double electric breast pump, and its been working well so far for the most part. I've been going at it every two hours, every pumping lasting about 15-30 minutes (depending on how sore I am), with two occasions in the last three days where I had a four and a five hour stretch between pumpings.

Before using the breast pump, I was doing hand pumping for about two days. For those two days, hand pumping every three hours, I was getting about one ounce total per pumping. With the electric breast pump, on the first day, I had been getting a quarter ounce to half ounce total in each pumping session when pumping every two to three hours. Sidenote: Every time I pump every two to three hours, I get several milk blisters after each feeding (OUCH). On my first day, overnight, I had woken up late for a pumping and it was now a five hour stretch. When I pumped, I got well over two ounces total within just ten minutes. Then I continued on with pumping every two to three hours, and only getting a half ounce total with each pumping. I missed another pumping during the evening today (this being my second day) and it was now at a four hour stretch in between pumpings, and got two ounces total in that pumping. After that, I continued on with the two to three hours in between each pumping. I've been noticing that every time I wait two or three hours to pump, the amount of milk I get total decreases and decreases every time, but when I wait a longer amount of time, it increases and it's significantly less painful. I never even notice engorgement or a feeling of fullness.

It's becoming very frustrating following the two to three hour rule and seeing less and less milk each time, but when I wait a longer amount of time, I see a huge increase (and also during the times I wait, I don't get milk blisters too). If I just decide to pump every four hours as a routine instead of two to three, would my supply end up decreasing over time? Or will my body just learn to keep producing the same amount or more?

My little one (a week old today) is now eating four ounces every few hours and so unfortunately I'll have to supplement until my supply grows. If I pump every four to five hours and be able to get two to three ounces each feeding, I feel it'd be much easier than having more frequent and painful pumping sessions with such little milk outcomes.

Any advice?

 

[schmetterling]

Your body just needs to adjust to the pump, which may take time. Keep at it every 2-3 hours, then when you are done pumping, hand express for 5 minutes or so to make sure you've drained the breast. The key is fully emptying the breast which will signal your body to make more milk. Unfortunately if you only pump 4 hours your body will think that's all the milk you need and your supply will decrease. Keep at it, you're doing great!!!! You'll start noticing more output soon, especially if you do the hand expression afterward.

As for the pain, I think that's pretty common in the beginning unfortunately. Try lowering the suction on your pump to a more comfortable level for now and work your way up. Keep lanolin or coconut oil on your breasts and that will help with the soreness.

It will get better soon!!!

 

[Julesillini8]

Hey! Saw your name so read your post. Again, kudos for your pumping efforts! As for your questions, I don't have a for sure answer, as I've never had to do this in this kindof situation. I started pumping with my first baby when they were about 4 wks old and supply was established. Is there a lactation consultant at your baby's hospital? I'm wondering why they aren't working with you more to help you out. I think you need to go with your gut about what works best for you. If you feel better going 4 hrs instead of 2-3 at this moment, and are noticing overall more expressed milk, I think if I was in your position, I would go with that. And maybe as time goes on try to pump closer, more to your baby's eating schedule, so you can then switch overto breastfeeding when baby is out of NICU. I can see how things are frustrating for you now, but keep at it! It may take some time for things to come together, they do for those that start out breastfeeding also, so try to be patient to get into the swing of things. And always remember that whatever amount of breastmilk you get, will be better than none! I will keep stalking to see how you do. Rooting for you and hoping things come along for you!

 

[Skittleblue]

As far as the timing, I'm not sure because my supply was established by the time I really had to pump much. I did space mine out, though, and see the same thing, so I went with less often. I don't know if that would work as well early on for establishing supply. The soreness, though, might be the level of suction or even the size of the flanges. 2 months into bf, pumping hurt for me because my flanges were too small. Maybe something to check.

 

[BabyB2]

As far as i'm aware, it isn't necessary to stick to a precise schedule when pumping and it doesn't follow that longer sessions produce more milk, it is more about how many times you pump in terms of establishing a good supply. It doesn't need to be every 2-3 hours. For example you could have a 4 hour gap, but then have 2 sessions close together. Ideally you should aim to pump about 8 times daily to establish a good supply. Pump for a while until the flow slows, then take a little break (grab yourself a drink) and then pump again until flow slows. Finish off by hand expressing both breasts to drain them (as previous poster said). It is emptying the breasts that tells your body to produce more milk. Well done on expressing though! I solely expressed with my first child for the first 5 months and I know how tough it can be! x

 

[Julesillini8]

As far as i'm aware, it isn't necessary to stick to a precise schedule when pumping and it doesn't follow that longer sessions produce more milk, it is more about how many times you pump in terms of establishing a good supply. It doesn't need to be every 2-3 hours. For example you could have a 4 hour gap, but then have 2 sessions close together. Ideally you should aim to pump about 8 times daily to establish a good supply. Pump for a while until the flow slows, then take a little break (grab yourself a drink) and then pump again until flow slows. Finish off by hand expressing both breasts to drain them (as previous poster said). It is emptying the breasts that tells your body to produce more milk. Well done on expressing though! I solely expressed with my first child for the first 5 months and I know how tough it can be! x

This is excellent advise

 

[3xpire]

As far as i'm aware, it isn't necessary to stick to a precise schedule when pumping and it doesn't follow that longer sessions produce more milk, it is more about how many times you pump in terms of establishing a good supply. It doesn't need to be every 2-3 hours. For example you could have a 4 hour gap, but then have 2 sessions close together. Ideally you should aim to pump about 8 times daily to establish a good supply. Pump for a while until the flow slows, then take a little break (grab yourself a drink) and then pump again until flow slows. Finish off by hand expressing both breasts to drain them (as previous poster said). It is emptying the breasts that tells your body to produce more milk. Well done on expressing though! I solely expressed with my first child for the first 5 months and I know how tough it can be! x

This is excellent advise

I'm definetly going to try this. It's super hard to get up every two hours in the middle of the night and fidget with a breastpump anyways haha. I did try taking a break in the middle of my last pumping session and somehow I was able to get almost two ounces out of each boob in twenty minutes. I never thought I would get that much so fast! lol. But agreed, VERY good advice.

 

[Julesillini8]

Good for you! Keep at it, and just do your best!!! I can tell you stress does effect let down and how much milk you get pumping. I had to pump at work and only would have like 4 minutes, and I was stressed and never got much at all... When under other circumstances I could pump a ton. So just keep on doing what you're doing, it sounds like you are on the right track. Just have to find out what works best for YOU and how you are able to accumulate the most milk..... Keep us updated!

 

[schmetterling]

These ladies are right - What I really meant by pumping every 2-3 hours was to make sure you pump enough times in the day. Your baby might naturally go a little longer at night anyway, and so having a 4 hour stretch would be fine When my daughter was born (a preemie), we had the toughest time even waking her up to feed every 3 hours.

Keep up the good work!!! Your baby is lucky to have such a dedicated mama! It's hard work, but so worth it!

 

[Julesillini8]

We are all rooting for you! hope it's going ok today!