Breast pump recommendations (nothing works)

[Littlebittasunshine]

Hiya I've been exclusively breast feeding for nearly 6 months now. But I've never been able to pump I've tried a medela electric pump and a haaka and neither have worked for me.
I mean I must have milk as I have a VERY chunky baby :') but I'm wanting to now pump some off to use for weaning and I really need something that works.
Any recommendations please?

you need to massage your breasts wile pumping to get the milk flowing,that and pump at the same time each day.I would pump morning ,noon and night .First thing is best for pumping make sure you have a hot drink and put something on the tv to relax.It would take me 30 mins one side then 30mins the next and back to the first one for 20 mins.I used this one

What pumping programme do you use? I found a massage at 4, letdown, up to 54/6?x4, then incrementally down speed while upping suction (each time letdown stopped) worked for us.

Massage first and hotshower as pp says too. Otherwise i can recommend one but it's worth trying to vary the programme and massage first. Also drink lots more water.

o yeah isotonic sports drinks good for hydration

I can only really get milk first thing in the morning. You have to make sure you are very hydrated, so drink, drink, drink.

I also find that oats boast my supply so eat lots of porridge, museli, flapjacks or oaty biscuits (my go-to is chocolate hobnobs).

Also while you are pumping, make sure you are relaxed and try looking at photos of your little one on your phone. It sounds bonkers but it helps with the release of oxytocin which helps trigger let-down.

I hope that helps.

A good while ago now but I could only really pump when I borrowed / hired a double electric pump from the local NCT I think it was. It was like an industrial type machine but was the only way I could pump a decent amount. Still not loads but enough that DS only had breast milk while I worked.

I think they look a bit less industrial now at least!

Having a quick google shows me there are websites you can hire a hospital grade pump from but it’s not cheap. Your local NCT or breastfeeding support group may do it cheaper.

Good luck to you.

Thank you for all your advice I will give them a try :) with me being poorly the first couple months and then the lockdown I havent had any breastfeeding support so no idea what I'm doing x

Trying a different pump probably wont make a lot of difference.
Kellymom is a great resource for all things breastfeeding/pumping so you may be able to get some tips
kellymom.com/mother2mother/what-to-expect-when-pumping/

Have you tried expressing from one side whilst feeding from the other? I tend to do that with first feed of the day and seems to work. I get naff all the rest of the time.