Was anyone unable to pump?

[Mystikal]

I've been pumping regularly for nearly one week (it will be a week tomorrow) and I am still unable to get more than an ounce a day. I don't think I've ever gotten even half an ounce. I'm getting very discouraged as I've been having to supplement DD with formula because of significant weight loss and I was hoping to get enough BM pumped to give her that instead of the formula.
I'm just curious if anyone else had this problem or if it is normal for it to take this long to actually get enough from pumping to say so?

[solongtogo]

I pumped 3 times a day at work. The total amount I got from the three pumpings each day was a maximum of 6 oz, which would only be one bottle for DD. I kept doing it for several months, tried a hundred different things to try to make it work, but went through my freezer stash so fast, it was a necessity to supplement with formula. In hindsight, that coupled with what I was seeing while DD breastfed, I know now that my supply sucked and I barely could give her a meal.

[bluhimmy]

What kind of pump are you using? I actually rented a hospital grade Medela when I first started pumping to help establish my supply. I do remember it was tough in the beginning. I've heard that using a hospital grade pump makes a difference, but I'm not sure if that completely true since I never used my Medela PISA. A friend of mine used a PIA, but she never got much BM during each session.

[L-O-V-E]

I definitely had the same issue when DS was a week or two old, and I was using the Medela PIS. Nothing would come out. Eventually though, I started to get an ounce or two, and by 4 months old, I was feeding him on one side, and would pump 5-6 ounces on the other side simultaneously. So hang in there! Maybe your body just isn't responding to the pump yet, but it will kick in. Make sure to stay hydrated.

Good luck, and congrats! :)

[Wilsmom]

Could it be a let down problem? I know that I don't get as much pumping as I'm sure DD takes in herself, but it's even less if I don't feel my milk let down. I've noticed that if I pump when I'm around her, especially if she's fussy or crying, my milk lets down and I can get around 3-4 oz. on one side. When I was at working pumping when DS was a baby, having a picture of him with me helped also.

If I don't feel the let down, I can pump for 15-20 minutes and only get 1 or 2 oz.

[L-O-V-E]

oh yeah. Wilsmom totally reminded me. To get a letdown I would sit and think about how it felt to nurse DS and also smell one of his blankets. It seemed to help once I got relaxed enough.

[scout]

I think it may be just too early to get a substantial amount (if the pump or let down isn't a problem). Keep nursing and try to pump in a few days. I remember having the same issue, but it just took awhile for things to kick in.

[kdotp]

Some people don't respond to the pump as well; it's not as effective as nursing at getting all the milk from the glands, and, as mentioned above, if you don't feel the letdown, you may not get much.

I had supply issues from the beginning and even when I nursed DS on one side (with a supplemental nursing system) and pumped on the other, I was never able to get more than 1.5 or so oz per session. I had the PIS Advanced (the backpack carrier) and would turn the letdown phase on three or four times during a 15-20 minute pumping session. That helped a little.

[Marisa]

Mystikal -- hadn't you said in another thread that you had a breast reduction at some point? If you're experiencing all these difficulties, then you probably need to consider the possibility that a significant amount of ductal tissue was removed and you might not attain a full supply -- meaning some supplementation may always be necessary.

I am always so impressed with moms who are determined to BF after a reduction, because every drop that your baby gets can do so much good for her. Have you see the Breastfeeding After Reduction site? www.bfar.org

[Kopper]

Mystikal - Hey there. I was able to pump a few ounces at a time but that was with the Symphony. Did you end up renting a pump or did you buy one? Once I returned the Symphony I could never pump as much with my PIS. I quit pumping when DS was 8 weeks b/c he got better at nursing. You can PM or email me if you want to talk more.