Unable to express using a breast pump

[DeeBeee]

I am able to express manually using my hands (but find it really painful and unpleasant). I bought a Medela breast pump however I can't get any milk out using it! I have read all the instructions, I am pretty sure I am using it correctly but I can't get a single drop out. Any suggestions, has anyone else had this?

Is it an electric pump or manual? Pumping can be really tricky to get the hang of - take a look at the kellymom website, it is a wealth of info. Hope you have some success soon!

I tried Avent, Tommee Tippee and Medela pumps and never got more than an ounce with any of them. Don't know why I persevered really as I can get 4oz with a good morning hand express. This shouldn't be painful though, so see if you can get some RL support to help with it. It can get sore pretty quickly if you're sliding your fingers over the skin rather than (not sure how to phrase this) taking the skin with you as you squeeze the boob tissue underneath.

Can you get to see a breastfeeding counsellor at all? They'd probably be a much better bet than midwife or health visitor to help you along. Do you need to express for anything particularly urgent, or is it just something you'd like the option of doing?

I found I got more with an electric than a hand pump and more in the morning than later in the day. When I was struggling to get much, friends advised me to express while DD fed from the other side (never managed this, though!) or at least while she was nearby to look at, and massaging the breast beforehand. Having said that, I only got about 1oz at a time from each side (double this first thing in the morning). I felt very envious of friends who managed to fill a bottle without really thinking about it!

Same here i never managed to express more than an oz by hand expressing or with a medela swing and that was an oz from both sides. I kept going for 8 wks before i admitted defeat as lo ff top ups after bf just hit bigger and bigger. I know expressing not as good at getting milk put as baby but i think it was an indication for me that supply wasn't there.

Is your little exclusively bf and gaining weight?

I have used a Medela and can only ever get 4oz max. I think it's best to pump when you are completely relaxed and feeling a bit full. Do you feel your milk "come in" after a couple of minutes? Have you tried breast and nipple massage before you pump to try and make the milk come in? A friend of mine expressed on one breast while feeding her baby on the other, although I am nowhere near coordinated enough to do that!

Thanks for all the replies - I did finally manage to get it to work by playing around with the valve which was tricky to set up. I only need to express 60ml as DS is 7 days old and not gaining weight, I hope I can manage this with the pump as hand-expressing takes me forever and most of the milk seems to run down my hand!

Glad you've had some luck! Hope DS packs on the weight but try not to worry too much, my DD lost 10oz in first few days, she soon picked up again. There's a link here on Kellymom about the early weeks, I don't know if you've seen the site but it's great for BF info. kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing/

Hi Dee - I hope your getting help with breastfeeding as well as expressing/toping up there are lots of things you can do to help increase babies milk intake if that is what is needed.

Breast compressions while baby is at the breast. Feeding more often, having lots of skin to skin contact so baby can feed at first sign of hunger.

These are quit important espicaly if you are finding expressing hard work and will help establish your supply better then a pump can.

Lots of women can't express and it is no indication of supply at all, baby is far more efficent at getting milk out as long as you have a good latch. Has a midwife observed a whole feed?

Oh and if you look on the medela websit they have info on how the pump should fit you, this is acutaly quit important and if you have the wrong size funnel it woun't work as effectively.

Thanks a million MigGril, had no idea funnels came in different sizes, and it looks like I am using the wrong size. Have now ordered another, hope it helps.

As DS has lost 14% bodyweight in 8 days, I have been told to give him 10 mins breast and then 60ml expressed milk. If I can't express 60ml every 3 hours it has to be formula. I am only managing to express that much every 2nd feed so he ends up on formula half the time which is making me totally miserable, I so want to EBF. I have had the latch looked at, it's fine, I just need to produce more milk!