Today I FINALLY found the right sized part for my pump (the part you stick your boob in... pardon my lack of knowledge for the proper term! ) so once we got home, I fed LO than decided to pump...

I pumped BOTH and only got about 1.5 ounces...
Afterwards, I decided to top up LO, so I put him back on to nurse for about 10 more minutes... after that, I tried to express a little with my hand, and of course, more came out.

Is there any reason why the pump cant seem to find it?


After finding out today that Hayden has only gained a POUND in just under 2 months, Im bumming a little.... okay, alot....
Doc said 'breastfeeding isnt sufficient enough after 6 months' and to start with cereal and solids (which I was going to do, was just waiting for the word from him!) and to supplement with formula.
For me... the dreaded F word... only because we've made it this far, but its obviously wasnt good enough... Plus LO doesnt seem to like ANY kind of formula Ive offered him in the past... he'll take the bottle, sip a little, than give me a look of "What the HELL are you feeding me?! " than simply just doesnt take it (or cries until he gets a booby).

Blarghhhhh I dont know.....

Any tips regarding the pumping?

Pumps aren't as efficient as babies. Let down isn't as natural without your baby being there, with his smell and touch and sounds. Stress can stop you letting down. Maybe your pump isn't very good?

All of those and more could be the reasons... Do you need to pump for work or something or are you trying to gauge your supply? If it's the former, then try pumping from one boob while he feeds from the other, maybe try a different pump (double electrics are good or you could try hiring a hospital grade one), have pictures of your LO there or film him feeding on you phone and watch it while you pump (I do this at work to help with my letdown) etc... if the latter, then don't worry, it is not a good gauge of your supply no matter what the baby whisperer etc say. Pumps are nowhere near as good as babies! If your LO is meeting milestones, weeing and pooing fine and isn't dehyrdrated then he's just a slow grower, don't worry!

You are good enough and I doubt you need formula. Can you speak to an lactation consultant at the hospital about it?

PS If you pump after feeding then 1.5 ounces is actually pretty damn good, I think!

pumping...it takes time to build your supply 1.5oz is actually good!!! Its normal for you to be able to get a bit more after LO feeds as they are so much more effective at getting your milk out the effect continues for a while after they unlatch, unfortunately no pump will ever be as good as a baby at getting the milk!
Anyway, if you want to keep pumping do so whenever you can and keep it up, your supply will catch up in a few days and you will find you get more per session. The more you pump, even if you arent getting much right now, the more milk your body will produce

As for your Dr....well *rolls eyes* Breastmilk is perfectly designed for babies, it adjusts to their EXACT requirements as they grow so this "not sufficient" stuff is scientifically inaccurate. If you are ready to start solids then thats great but as milk contains more calories and has a higher feed value solid food wont make a difference and neither will formula. Formula has LESSER nutritional value that breastmilk...FACT. So actually what your Dr is suggesting could actually negatively affect him.....stupid Dr!

Do what YOU feel is right, many babies weight gain slows, if he is otherwise healthy this is NOT AN ISSUE, its NORMAL so dont worry!

Thank you, girls...

I feel a little better already..

He IS meeting his milestones... he pees more than I do and thats saying alot () and we get a poo, sometimes 2 a day!

Also, weight wise, I think he is just taking after mummy and daddy... his dad is a stick and always has been, as is his mum, and grandpa...
And growing up, I was a stick as well (and believe me, I ate like a CHAMP!)...
Weight wise, Im not REAL worried (somehow, his head is 78th percentile though???), I guess it was just a ball buster hearing that he only weighs 14lbs...

And back to the pumping... Im using the Medela Harmony hand pump...
Are they crap?
And the 1.5 oz I got was from the left - and I had only fed him on the right...

Definitely going to try and pump one and feed with the other for supper time...

I have the manual pump "The First Years" not sure if it'll fit your nipples, because you have such trouble with it
BUT I find it AMAZING, seriously... amazing!!
Good luck hun!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by krockwell I have the manual pump "The First Years" not sure if it'll fit your nipples, because you have such trouble with it BUT I find it AMAZING, seriously... amazing!! Good luck hun!!

I had to get the smallest size of breastshield (where you stick your boob in - the only reason i explain every time is cuz when I said breastshield at the store, she thought i meant the nipple cover things ) for mine.... 21mm... hence why it took me 6 months to get ahold of one!!
Does the one you have have a 'measurement' or anything?

Lousy stinkin' pump of mine...

I pumped one more time and got just over 2oz total (including the 1.5 I got earlier)... I couldnt be bothered so I just fridged it for a snack OH can feed the bebe...
I cant seem to get a 'let down' when pumping which might be the problem... although I think the breastshield or the suction might be another problem... because if I take the pump off, and put it back on, I'll get a few more squirts, but than it stops.... take off, put back on, a few more.... and well.. Im sure ya'll can guess how annoying THAT is... which is why I called it a night and I figure tomorrow is a new day...

Was 'The First Years' one you have expensive, Kori?
If you dont know, I'll have to google it in the morning!

and maybe if im feeling energetic enough ill call the company and see what they say...

I get more milk if I pump in the morning if I pump from the unfed boob I get only 1-2 oz but can get 4-6 in the morning. If im tired or poorly I also get less.

People were always going on about how small my baby is,I was on the train this week and a lady sat next to me had a baby who was 12lbs and 10 weeks old and she was almost as big as Noah who at 19 weeks was only just a bit heavier than her. Breastmilk has all the nutrients baby needs if baby is ready to start solids go with it but dont feel forced into doing something you and baby aren't ready for.

i have a first years breast pump. mines ok but i aways get more by hand expressing lol. and i agree with anothersquish. dont let you doctor push you into something if what your doing is keeping your baby happy and healthy not all babies gain at the same rate eaither.

Hun the pump I have was like $25 or something at Walmart!!! So...w/ B's discount (if he gets one) it should be less!!

AND I'm not sure of the measurements... but, I find if I lean over, and hold my hand over the bottom part of the cup thinger...it fits like a charm!

I'll measure it later...lmfao, are you talking the INSIDE part, where your actual nipple goes in? or like the part that the majority of your boob goes against?

Maybe I should just take a picture of my boob in it! Then you can see it at it's finest...


love you! <3