Medela symphony plus breast pump help

[AliveAndSleeping]

I'm renting the above breast pump. I've been using a Philips Avent till now but don't get much milk out (20-30ml from both breasts with one or two letdowns).

I've just tried the Medela (with a single bottle) and the suction seems very low. I can hardly feel it on the breast though I can see the breast moving back and forth.

It took forever to have a letdown and then I just got about 20ml. I thought it would be much more Powerful.

I've followed the instructions carefully. The only thing I didn't do was to dry the parts after sterilising. Is that very important? It seems to defeat the purpose of sterilising.

Do I (or my breasts...) just need to get used to a new breast pump or is there anything to be done that can be improved?

I’m not sure about the medela symphony but the medela swing is the one I use that everyone always recommend. The hospital recommended it to me at the one closest to the ones they use in hopsital. You can turn it up from low to very high so you get a lot more sucking! In my experience drying the parts after sterilising wouldn’t make any difference.

Have you tried massaging your breasts before pumping? Have you tried looking at baby while pumping? And covering up the bottle while pumping so you can’t see how much you’re getting as that can be stressful and reduce the amount you get.

I used this for a bit - when it's on, open the lid and make sure both the pumps are fully pushed down (does this make sense?) Then firmly close the lid down on them.

Do you mean the lid of the electrical pump unit? should I push down the caps that you attach to the pump (and that are also attached to the tube)?

@AliveAndSleeping yes thats exactly right, make sure the caps are fully pushed down

I also found that doing it just after a shower and doing a bit of hand expressing while the let down setting was on. I found it stressful holding baby whilst doing it as you can't properly cuddle them, however I used to put on a good TV show while doing it to help relax. And do you have a bra so you can do hands free?

www.amazon.co.uk/Medela-Expression-Hands-Free-Pumping-Bustier/dp/B071P4B6RT/ref=asc_df_B071P4B6RT/?hvlocphy=1007377&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=210294031146&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-341995527551&hvrand=10411366646143341576

This was a game changer for me

@AliveAndSleeping

Do you mean the lid of the electrical pump unit? should I push down the caps that you attach to the pump (and that are also attached to the tube)?

@aliveandsleeping have you checked all the cables? I had a period of low suction and it turns out one of the cables had twisted. I also increased the power gradually over the course of a few days. It should be powerful enough to feel a gentle tug - like when baby is feeding.

If you don't mind me asking, is there a reason you are using a single bottle?

[quote Namechangegardens]@AliveAndSleeping yes thats exactly right, make sure the caps are fully pushed down[/quote]
Thanks, I'll try that.

Yes, but I'll check again next time. I turned it up to maximum suction, but it still felt less powerful than what I experienced with the Philips Avent.

I'm doing combination feeding (as instructed by midwife as Ds was losing too much weight). I first breastfeed him, then I give him a bottle (of formula or expressed milk if I have any) and once or twice a day i pump.

I'd like to either maintain or maybe even improve my milk supply and therefore decided to rent a hospital grade pump.

Thanks for the help everyone!!

@Namechangegardens

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This was a game changer for me

I'm thinking of getting this. Not sure how you can use a double pump without it How do you use the controls if your hands have to hold the pump? Am just a bit hesitant to spend so much money on a bra if the pump doesn't work that well.

Can the bra be used in general at least round the house or is it just for pumping?

@AliveAndSleeping yes I know what you mean. You can also make your own pumping bra with a cheaper sports bra, you can google how to do it. I didn't find it as secure though but was luckily given the pumping bra second hand.
If you don't mind your nipples hanging out I suppose you could use as a bra, it's pretty comfy and you could always pop some breast pads in.

Thanks I've ordered the Medela bra.

I'm so annoyed and disappointed with the pump though. It's so complicated to set up and so expensive..I guess I was expecting too much and probably I was underestimating how goodmy philips Avent is, which seems to be comparable to a hospital grade pump after all.

The only thing I like is how quiet it is. You can barely hear it.