Pumping - suddenly no output. Any ideas?

[rootypig]

I have 5mo DD who is mix fed - mostly BF with one bottle a day before bed. The bottle tends to be formula one evening, EBM the next, she's not fussy and it has generally taken two days, one pumping session each day, to get the 8/9oz she wants for her bedtime feed.

I started pumping at 3mo (until then she was EBF), and easily got 4/5oz from one pumping session. So far so good.

But in the past few weeks this has gradually dwindled and this evening, to my alarm, entirely stopped.

Any ideas?! has this happened to anyone else? it pretty much feels as though my milk isn't letting down.... it always used to really readily. Pump (Medela swing) seems fine, can see and feel plenty of suction.

[rootypig]

might be totally unconnected but DD has been having really frequent green poos for the last week - gone from one big brown (sorry, TMI) poo every three days to small, green frothy poo every time she feeds, at least.

argh am suddenly having one of those episodes where you question everything - help!

[RunningAgain]

I was never very successful at expressing, but someone advised me to look at the baby or a photo of baby while pumping. Apols if you already do this.

[geekette]

green frothy poo. that is the hall mark of something but I can't remember what. not very helpful.

someone more helpful will be about soon (bump )

would you like to check Kellymom in the mean time?

[rootypig]

thanks both - tried the pictures Running, didn't work. felt like baby porn or something

geekette thanks for the bump, have checked green poo, can be teething, virus, milk imbalance.... think virus or teething most likely, it came on fairly suddenly easter weekend and she's not entirely herself since (eg harder to settle to sleep when previously self soothing, bouts of screaming in the night). in fact am holding a cross non sleeping baby on my lap now

[McBaby]

Here are a few thinks I tried when needed to increse supply: I used to get 6-7oz from one side it then dropped to 1-2oz. Sorry it you have tried them all or if they seem silly.

Heat up breast I.e with hot water bottle/shower
Massage before and during expressing
Make sure well hydrated
Check the size if pump flange is correct - this made a massive diff
Express at same time each day
Change batteries in pump - the increase in suction was amazing!
Check the white deal on the pump one small hole or drop of water stopping it lie flat reduces the effectiveness of the pump.

[rootypig]

thanks McBaby, I have ordered new little white things and valves for the pump (I use it plugged into the mains). Will also try the other things you suggest.

Just so dispiriting when the milk used to spurt out of me! we are going away for a few days this week and I think I'm going to take the opportunity to feed the LO as much as possible, see if that ups supply.

[oscarwilde]

I replaced the white rubber thingy on the Medela Swing and it made a massive difference. Or it could be that you are just knackered if your baby is out of sorts and not looking after yourself so well [drinking water etc] . Maybe express at a different time of day and see what's doing? If you can't express lots first thing then your pump is probably the issue.

[rootypig]

Ooh thanks oscar, now I'm hopeful for the replacement parts

[RedKites]

Could your DD be hungrier than usual, either because she's not 100%, or because of a growth/developmental spurt? In which case things might return to normal once her consumption returns to normal too? If the problem is 'just' getting a letdown for the pump, I have sometimes found breast compressions can help.

[rootypig]

yy I think she is growing a lot, RedKites! I had one of those moments the other day where I looked at her and thought, wow, you're getting huge! She is 23ish weeks so time to start her on food too, probably - pencilled in for next week, post hols.

Haven't tried pumping again yet, we're away and I decided to take a break while waiting for the replacement parts, because I was getting so frustrated, which can't help. In the interim I have started taking fenugreek capsules and I think I do feel like I have more milk. But I now absolutely reek of fenugreek! my wee is nuclear, so god knows what my milk tastes like

[flic22s]

I cannot get any let down at all when pumping now I have done it fairly regularly and exclusively for the first 3 weeks as he was in SCBU its so frustrating which I know only makes it worse, I have been using an Avent hand pump it has always been best for me , It seems to be working ok re suction Im now wondering if it worth ordering the white valve type thing after reading this , i am trying to protect my supply as he is partially weaned

[glasgowmum13]

Hi
I have this problem too had great supply in freezer but now 1-2 oz when pump now!
Baby seems to get it out alright!

[flic22s]

yeah my let down is fine for DS I have been able to express the other less prefered side when he feeds and after hes done to at least get enough for his bedtime cereal its just so annoying when once I could sit and fill a bottle in 10 mins I have no problems with formula its just ive come this far so want him to have ebm until he is ready for toddler milk

[rootypig]

Well I don't know if it's the new parts, or fenugreek, or being on hols and having a bit of a break, but just got 4oz from an end of day pumping session - much more like it used to be. So glad my boobs aren't broken after all Thanks for all your suggestions!

[rootypig]

flic based on my experience I would get a new valve, they're so cheap and it could be the answer.