Breastfeeding *Pump Question*

When I try to pump I get hardly anything from my left & maybe an ounce from my right. But when my son is eating milk shoots out like crazy, on both sides. Any reason why this is?


ETA: I only pump for relief, so it isn't a big issue. Just curious.

Some women just don't respond to pumps.
It could be a crappy pump too.

Because a pump doesn't stimulate milk production as efficiently.

Put a bottle up to the other breast when u nurse and catch that stuff!! Haha

Cause you're being stimulated by a baby, not just a pump.

What kind of pump are you using?

I had this problem to while DD was in nicu. I discovered I couldn't pump unless I was looking at her. Or thinking about nothing aside from her. Have you tried pumping one side while nursing the other?

<blockquote><b>Quoting A❤T=P+[It's a Girl:</b>" Some women just don't respond to pumps. It could be a crappy pump too."</blockquote>




It probably is, the hospital gave it to me. It's a handheld, mandela? I think it's called.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Colton's Mommy ♥:</b>" When I try to pump I get hardly anything from my left & maybe an ounce from my right. But when my son ... [snip!] ... out like crazy, on both sides. Any reason why this is? ETA: I only pump for relief, so it isn't a big issue. Just curious."</blockquote>



Not everyone produces well from pump stimulation. I bf my youngest for 18 months, pumped for stimulation when i worked, never produced more than an oz combined.. And she had plenty when she nursed

<blockquote><b>Quoting kate & tilly:</b>" I had this problem to while DD was in nicu. I discovered I couldn't pump unless I was looking at her. Or thinking about nothing aside from her. Have you tried pumping one side while nursing the other?"</blockquote>




Yes, that is the only time I got more than an oz.

Quoting lolajessup:" Because a pump doesn't stimulate milk production as efficiently. Put a bottle up to the other breast when u nurse and catch that stuff!! Haha"

this is what I do with the first feeding in the morning. LO has been sleeping 6-7 hrs and when he wakes up i'm pretty engorged. I've been catching 1-1.5oz just from what leaks out when he is nursing on the other side!

And ditto on other posts that pumping isn't the same as a baby. Maybe if you pumped right out of the shower (or expressed in the shower), or massage your breast before you pump to loosen things up.

<blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" Because a pump doesn't stimulate milk production as efficiently. Put a bottle up to the other breast when u nurse and catch that stuff!! Haha"</blockquote>




Lol, I told SO that's what I was gonna do & store it for when he has a doctors appointment or I take him out. I'd probably have a full bottle if I did that.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Colton's Mommy ♥:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting A❤T=P+[It's a Girl:</b>" Some women just don't respond ... [snip!] ... pump too."</blockquote> It probably is, the hospital gave it to me. It's a handheld, mandela? I think it's called."</blockquote>


Sometimes handpumps don't get as much as electric ones. But are you using one hand to stimulate the milk out by like sliding it down the breast as u pump? That might help. That's the only way I could pump with a Medela electric.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Colton's Mommy ♥:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" Because a pump doesn't stimulate milk production ... [snip!] ... I was gonna do & store it for when he had doctors appointments or something. I'd probably have a full bottle if I did that."</blockquote>

Do it for sure!!!!

Quoting kate & tilly:" I had this problem to while DD was in nicu. I discovered I couldn't pump unless I was looking at her. Or thinking about nothing aside from her. Have you tried pumping one side while nursing the other?"

how in the world is this accomplished? i have tried and failed so hard

Babies mouth is much better at stimulating your breasts to get the milk. With my first daughter I used an electric pump for a little bit, and with my second daughter I used a manuel. The electric pump was much easier. There are some cheap models that do a great job. Also, if you can hand express, try that into a bottle. I can never pump more than 1oz in a sitting, but using my hand I can get 4oz.