Need some encouragement

[luckyme225]

I go back to work on Tuesday and I am really dreading it. I hate pumping and my right side can never express more then 1 oz even though my breast is full. I've always had problems with my left side, I've had a lump a little smaller then a pea that I have to have an ultrasound on next month because it hasn't went away (nervous), that side tends to get engorged no matter what I do and it always gets plugged milk ducts (luckily they go away when he feeds). My left breast is amazing, it's never engorged, except in the morning and it never gets plugged milk ducts. I just feel like I can't put up with my right breast much longer but I really want to make it to at least four if not six months of breastfeeding I just want to do what is best for my son.

 

[Margerle]

I was reading another forum and two women had some great tips for how to express milk better. One successfully bf her sons almost a year (until they self weaned). She expressed from 6 weeks forward.

I've pumped with the Avent Isis... when I went to work full time after after my first DS was born... and was able to pump for 12 months!... so it's possible! (I used an electric pump with my second son... but the Avent Isis is still one of my favorites!)...

The "trick" is to pump like the baby feeds... short, quick, low-pressure pumps at first (don't squeeze the handle all the way... just short, quick, little ones)... and then once you work up a good let-down (which may take a good 5-10 minutes) you can slow down and pull more pressure with every pump...

This sounds weird... but I always explain it like working up to an orgasm (sorry if TMI... but it's an interesting analogy that works for me) You can't be too "rough" at first... you have to work up to that...

Hope that helps!

This is EXACTLY how I pump successfully with the Isis (sorry nak) The orgasm analogy in this thread is dead-on and perfect, just like the other you have to work yourself into it. I have perfected the "nirvana moment" of pumping lately which is a simultaneous moment of peace and relaxation with a mix of uber-mommy love. Melt-your-heart kind of love for the baby. I just think of his cute face while relaxing and FLOOD. OK my flood is only 3-4oz but that's GREAT for a SAHM no-need-to-pump, well: pumper.

OK not only should you do all of this, but you should take advantage of any engorgement including long naps and long car rides.

Also, besides simple massage -- do a hot compress first. Then lean forward and shake the girls ala' burlesque, back and forth, but while leaning FORWARD -- as in bent over (makes the milk move forward. Looks absolutely ridiculous -- so do it in private ) shake it baby! Then run your fingernails lightly from the outer towards the nip. Then pump.

I know it sounds like a lot of really silly work, but if you pump 3-6oz MORE for a few minutes of effort before hand -- you'll thank us! Actually, you'll be amazed!

 

[Ragirl]

The fact that you hate pumping may be part of the problem as well- as it will inhibit your ability to relax into pumping. I went back to work at 6 weeks and managed to pump until he was 14 months. I have a Medela dual electric pump which automatically works a little bit like Margerle described- when I first start it it pumps a bunch of short, quick pumps, and after a few minutes switches to long, slow draws. Having a good pump is extremely important. In addition to picturing or looking at a pic of my son, the other thing that helped me pump more was to do something distracting and enjoyable- so while I pumped, I often got on my favorite scrapbooking site which totally helped me relax and WHOOSH- the milk came in. It's also important when you first return to work, to pump more than maybe you were nursing, since pumping often does not draw off as much milk as baby. When I went to work, my son was eating every 2-3 hours. My first few weeks at work I was pumping every 1 1/2- 2 hours. I never went more than 2 hours without pumping. Yes, it's a pain...but I thought it was worth it. Also, when you are home with baby- nurse as frequently as you can. I used weekends to really boost my supply, and I noticed a big difference- on Monday I could usually pump in excess of 12 oz in a sitting, and by Friday I was down closer to 8 oz. I hope that helps- it is really a wonderful thing you are doing to go through the hassle of pumping for your baby.

I hope everything works out okay with the ultrasound. I never had a lump, but there was one duct on my right side that constantly got clogged- it was so frustrating! And generally, I could always pump more from my left than my right. Just remember- as long as you are getting enough between the two of them- that's what's important. Try, if possible, to have a supply in your freezer as well- Hopefully it won't come to this, but remember that if the day comes where you are not pumping enough to feed solely with breastmilk for those 6 months, formula mixed with breastmilk is better than formula mixed with water.

 

[luckyme225]

thanks ladies!

I have the pump in style advanced and it has the let down feature but for some reason my right boob does not like to pump. I guess of all else fails I'll have to rent a hospital grade pump, luckily I work with lactation consultants so I know they will help make sure I can keep up my supply. I guess I just hate that maternity leave is only 12 weeks, I dread being away from my son even though it's part-time.