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So I will be going back to work soon full-time. I decided to try and pump this morning so we could work on building up a bank and so I could get used to pumping again. I haven't pumped since she was 7 weeks old, which is not that long, since she's only 4 months old now, but apparantly it was long enough. I got 1/4 ounce out of both breasts put together! Yikes! I tried to relax and look @ the baby and visualize the breast milk squirting out like it does when I have let down and took the shields off and did some breast compressions until milk came out before trying again. All of these got me just about no milk out of the right boob and the almost 1/4 ounce out of the left (my best boob). Help! Any more tips, should I just keep trying? It's really weird because when we were using the SNS and nipple shield, I used to be able to get an ounce an hour out (so if I hadn't pumped in 4 hours I would get 4 ounces). I also messed around w/ the vacuum and the speed, but didn't see anything different. I tried to relax, but must admit I'm a bit stressed about it and am VERY glad I decided to start trying now while I still don't have a job.
Details: it's a Medela Pump in Style, I am more stressed out than usual right now because I am unemployed and our money is about run out, baby's doing great at nursing (has gained 3 lbs in last 2 months) so I don't think it's supply
Any fabulous advice? TIA!!
__________________ Rachel ~ WOHM, Married to lovely SAHD since 12/29/07, Mom to beautiful daughter Margali born 02/19/08
Ok, this is SUPER awkward and not sure if it will
work for you but...
When I could not relax enough to let down, I would
nurse the baby on one side and pump on the other.
Ok, not the best method but sometimes I just had to do
what I could do.
I should try it. I will need to eventually be able to pump @ work w/out her though. Hopefully I will be able to get to that point! I BETTER be able to get to that point!
Okay, I've tried this the last 2 days & while she was nursing on one boob, I pumped on the other. Yesterday I got 2 oz & today I got 3 1/2 oz just out of the one boob!!
Thank you all for your suggestions! Just in time too, I start work on Tuesday! Eek!
I went back to work when #1 was about 11 weeks old. I forgot the pumped milk at work almost every day and had to go back into my office for it. It's ok to drop the baby off in AM in PJs and hand the clothes to the daycare workers for changing.
Thank you! So far so good. There's a section in the bathroom that's removed from the bathroom area w/ chairs & a table & a plug. I managed to get 9 1/2 oz today & baby only atr 7 today! AND, the best of all, I may be able to arrange a 4 day work week!!
It was sooooo hard to leave this morning, it hurt my heart & when I got home I burst out crying because I missed her so much. Every time I pumped today I would think to myself, "This is for you baby, Mama is doing this for you." For those few minutes I felt connected to her so much. The last hour until 5pm was like the longest in the world & the drive was sooooo long. But I made it through & it was okay & now she's asleep on my chest.
So far so good. I pumped more than she ate all week long. I am sad to go back tomorrow, but what can you do? Thank goodness she's here w/ my husband, I'm so glad they are able to connect like this!
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