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Home › Articles › Pumps and Pumping › Breastfeeding Pumping Problems

Breastfeeding Pumping Problems

3 Steps to Stop Pumping Problems

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Lisa Daily is a nursing mom. With her first child, she was a regular milking machine; she pumped for 20 minutes for a good 8 ounces – 4 ounces on each side. Now, with her second child, she can't pump.

"When I make the attempt, there just isn't much milk – I have to do a couple of pumpings to get a full feeding," says Daily, of Fort Myers, Fla. "And then, I usually need to top her off with the breast, which sort of negates the point of pumping and bottlefeeding in the first place."

This effort makes Daily frustrated because, she says, pumping is not exactly fun. "After 20 minutes, you're left with a tablespoon of milk," she says. "I start thinking, this little bit of milk won't get me anywhere. I should have taken a shower or napped instead."

Why the Trouble?
Daily isn't alone in her pumping pathos. Mothers have difficulties pumping for many reasons, says Kathleen Bruce, RN, BSN, IBCLC, who serves as head of Medela's online Q&A service. Reasons can include any of these:

  • A poor or faulty pump
  • Poor response to the pump
  • Bad timing of pump use
  • Wrong breast shield size
  • Infrequent breastfeeding or pumping
  • Lack of confidence in pumping

Mothers with difficulty pumping can get the best possible experience by following these 3 simple guidelines, Bruce says.

1. Buy the Best Pump
A mom who only pumps occasionally can use a manual pump, while a mom who is regularly away from her baby will need a high-quality electric pump to maintain supply and continue breastfeeding. Get the best pump you can that fits your needs, Bruce says. "It's not usually wise to 'get by' with a less expensive pump, as this can affect milk supply and raise frustration levels," she says.


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