r/HumansPumpingMilk

My baby started refusing the boob around 5 weeks and I have been in hell trying to get my supply to keep up with her increasing needs. She is 9w now. We are combo feeding pumped milk and formula since I am only making about 1.5-2.5 per pump on average (sometimes less 😣) and am pumping about 6-8x per day, getting 11-15oz total per day. She's feeding about 8-10x and is taking about 27-30oz in a day.

Are there any of you out there who can give me some hope about being able to catch up to her? And then maybe one day drop my number of pumps per day too? 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Just need a little encouragement and advice on how to make this happen.

I have an LC, have tried every flange size (plastic and silicone), I have rented the Medela symphony (my spectra was killing me), and have added a power pump as my MOTN pump session.

Helpppppppp 🤍🤍🤍🤍✨✨✨

Hi everyone! I am 4 weeks in to this journey with my baby who is struggling to latch to my breast, so I have been essentially exclusively pumping. I have the blue spectra and get around 30 oz a day, but I’m finding pumping and solo parenting during the day when my husband is at work to be completely unmanageable. Every time I try to pump the baby starts crying needing a diaper change or to be held, and I can’t manage with this giant pump. Plus, I have to massage my breasts to fully empty them so I really have zero hands when I am pumping. I need to get a wearable for a couple pumps a day when I’m solo.

I have large breasts (DD+) and was looking at Eufy S2 and the Elvie Stride 2 but can’t decide between the two. I’m also open to other options. Please let me know your experiences! I am really needing some advice here. Quite overwhelmed trying to do this solo during the day.

Note: we are working on breast feeding but baby has a tongue tie and isn’t efficient at the breast. We practice once or twice a day (which then requires triple feeding) because on a good day she can get an oz with a nipple shield. So unless I can figure the tongue tie out with the ENT (we have an appointment Monday) I will need to be an exclusive pumper.

I had some breast milk left in my freezer and couldn't bring myself to throw it away.

So obviously I did the sensible thing and tried making butter with it. 😂

500 ml (about 2 cups) of breast milk made this tiny 2.5 g (0.09 oz) piece of butter.

I also taste tested it next to regular butter.

Besides the difference in taste, the human butter was much softer and wetter.

Any idea what could have caused that?

Hello!

So woman who have gotten mastitis multiple times. Is there a pattern in which it came? Every 2 weeks? Every 3 weeks?
Did it start to occur in both breasts?

FTM and exclusively pumping. I'm just over 6 weeks postpartum and trying to figure things out moving forward. I've got a few questions that have popped up over the last few weeks if anyone has input.

1. When do you drop pumps and how? Im currently still at every 3 hours but hoping I can start to spread them out soon.

2. Thoughts on second hand pumps? I've realized I need a wearable option and it seems like most people buy new most of the time? I was planning to get an eufy but have seen a momcozy on FB marketplace so wondering the pros and cons.

3. What's considered an over or under supply? Currently, I'm able to freeze about 10 or so ounces each day as my little one is currently only eating on average 17-18 ounces a day and I've been pretty consistently pumping 34-38 ounces a day. I want to make sure I've got enough for when I return to work.

4. On that note of freezing, how are we freezing and storing? I had to get a small chest freezer to store the milk in but don't know how to get the bags to fit nicely.

I’ll start out by saying I am 6 months PP and I exclusively pump. I’ve always been a just-enougher with a slight oversupply at times. I have a small freezer stash. At the beginning of September my supply took a small dip with reoccurrent blebs/clogs. About a week ago, it drastically started dropping. My output is is half or even less than what it was. Originally I thought it was from my period returning but I never did get my period. I then took a pregnancy test to make sure that was negative. For the last week both me and my baby have been battling illness. Really my only symptom has been a fever once a day but I have maintained hydration so I don’t think that’s it. I only use my spectra and I have remeasured and made sure I’m wearing the right size flanges. Also all parts have been replaced. I read somewhere that spectra’s start to loose suction after 700 hours and I of course am at 700 hours. I have the pink spectra from my first pregnancy that only has 55 hours that I can use but do we think this could be the problem? Do we think it’s stress? My biggest stressor right now is the fact that my milk is dropping so drastically. I don’t have anything against formula but my baby is CMPA so I just really want to keep giving her my milk as I am dairy free.
I pump 7 times a day, one of those being a power pump. I pump at 4am, 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, then power pump at 11pm. I’ve been on this schedule for the last 3-4 months. I am taking sunflower lechitin daily and applying lanolin after every pump.
Any thoughts, discussions, questions, and recommendations welcome! Thanks in advance ♥️

My baby has never latched on to my left hand side and she caused nipple trauma on the first latch to my right. In the ward we then were encouraged to supplement with formula and I was told my baby did not have a tongue tie.

I started pumping and fed my baby about 90% breast milk, 10% formula for the first few months. We later found out my baby had a posterior tongue tie and a high palate. The tie was divided and her tongue movement is better and she will latch, but her sucking motion is poor and she struggles to transfer milk.

I hired an IBCLC who was helpful, and we would nurse in the morning, although this was more of a bonding exercise as I would still have to pump after.

My cesarean incision has reopened again, at 3.5 months. I think it is not healing properly under the flap, and I am struggling to lose weight, which I think might be partially related to BF hormones.

I am feeling very done with pumping, but also very guilty with the idea of moving to fully formula feeding. I am not able to keep my supply up with what my baby drinks per day now, and honestly pumping makes me feel trapped and depressed. Even with properly fitted flanges, I hate the sensation of pumping, and I hate the constant pump washing.

But when I mention formula to any lactation consultants / feeding advisors, they literally look disgusted and horrified, and I am struggling not to judge myself for wanting to give up only 3.5 months in.

I had wanted to breastfeed for the first two years, but triple feeding for 3.5 months is literally draining the life out of me. Any advice is welcome.

EDIT - I forgot to say, I think my baby is starting to teeth now, and she bites my nipples with her gums, which is adding to the frustration.

Hello! I’m returning to work next month and am hoping to have my MOTN pump dropped by then. I’m 14 weeks pp and have a ~20/oz daily oversupply. I dropped one daytime pump about a month ago and it took me about 2 weeks to do so comfortably. I get insanely engorged and have a history of mastitis. Currently i pump every 4 hours at night, last night i pushed it to 5 hours and my breasts felt sooo full and uncomfortable. From your experience, is it easier to push the MOTN pump back or shorten it to eliminate it? I want to take a conservative approach as i dont want to risk mastitis again.

Wearables for work.

Hi all,

I go back to work in November and work 14 hour shifts on an ambulance. Sometimes my shifts can be as long as 16-18 hours if I get a late call, so I’ll be pumping a lot while working. I use my Spectra S2 90% of the time and get great output. I have Elvie wearables that I use on the go but don’t feel like they empty my breasts very well. I’m unable to take my Spectra S2 to work due to limited space on the truck and I don’t have a station as I’m a roaming truck(I’m usually in a parking lot or street corner).

I’ve been looking at Mom Cozy v1 pro due to the claim that it has hospital grade suction but the reviews are all over the place. Do any of y’all have experience with this specific pump? Any recommendations for a wearable pump that you feel really empties your breasts? I’m trying to avoid clogs and mastitis as I’m an overproducer and I know using wearables too much can cause these things if you’re not emptied out well.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations!🤍

Hi all I’ve been using my spectra s1 pro for a week now and am noticing a difference, I was originally not getting much per pump (maybe 50ml for the whole day) now I’m filling a full 125ml avent bottle now so improvements (also on motilium, made a schedule to help supply as well as prior I had no schedule, I’ve had a proper schedule for a week as prior to that I had no idea about schedules with pumping and such. (first baby)
So I’ll get to the point, I was wondering what wearables are similar pumping to the spectra I know wearables won’t be exactly like it. I’m currently using the Medela inbra ones and I’m not 100% a fan, I feel like these are too bulky and loud.
What ones would be helpful with building supply on top of the spectra.

Also what tips and tricks do people have for building supply up, all for any advice as it’s appreciated
Thanks all!

Hello,

I’m 7 days PP, and looking like we will be exclusively pumping.

I was so keen to breastfeed, but her latch is beyond painful. We’ve seen a lactation consultant who couldn’t really help (no tongue tie - baby gets so distressed whenever I try to fix her latch, and I then get very sad). I’ve tried again since and it seems to have got worse.

Pumping is working - touch wood my supply is fine, and no issues taking the bottle. We’ve invested in the Momcozy steriliser / washer / dryer which will arrive next week.

I’m just feeling very overwhelmed at the prospect of having to do this at least 8 times a day for months, along with the exhaustion of caring for her. Am also worried about feeling tied to the house to stick to the pumping schedule.

Really grateful for any advice for how to manage pumping on the go (for example - if we’re out for the day) - have a wireless double breast pump, but how do you keep things sterile if you’re out for multiple pumping sessions?

So grateful for any advice or survival tips to make this easier. Feeling horrible guilt and sadness at not being able to breastfeed, and just want this to impact our time together as little as possible.

I’m 8 weeks PP with my first. I made enough milk for the first 2 weeks, now my supply has dropped to almost nothing (it takes me 3-4 sessions to produce an ounce).

My husband has been back to work for 2 weeks and I’m having an extremely hard time staying hydrated and getting protein while taking care of the baby. I cannot even pump until he gets home.

The stress and guilt of not producing enough is taking a serious toll on my mental health. With how inconsistent I’ve been with pumping, am I able to even get my supply back up at this point?

(I do put baby to the breast a few times a day in between formula feeding. I pump as much as possible when my husband is home from work. I’ve been eating oatmeal made with oat milk and I’ve tried the “liquid gold” supplement and “she’s flowing” drink mix with zero results)

I’m expecting my second child and will be delivering in about two to three weeks. With my first child, I wasn’t prepared for breastfeeding challenges at all. He wasn’t able to latch properly, and at that time, I didn’t even know much about pumping or the different types of breast pumps available. After about two to three weeks, I bought a manual pump and tried pumping for around two months, but eventually I gave up and switched to formula, and naturally my milk supply reduced. This time, I really want to be better prepared. My first preference is definitely to nurse my baby directly, and I’m really hoping he will latch properly and that breastfeeding will go smoothly. However, I still want to have a good pump ready in case we have any latching problems or I need to pump for any other reason. My goal is to exclusively breastfeed, either directly or with expressed breast milk, for at least six to eight months. I’ve been doing a lot of research, but I’m honestly getting more confused. From what I understand, it’s recommended to have a primary pump, such as a Spectra or another hospital-grade pump, while wearable pumps are usually recommended as secondary pumps. I’m personally much more inclined towards a wearable because I’ll also have my older child around, so it may be difficult for me to sit in one place several times a day to pump. I would really prefer something portable that allows me to move around while still giving me good output and helping me establish and maintain my milk supply. However, I keep reading that wearable pumps may not empty the breasts as effectively as pumps like Spectra, especially when used frequently, and that this could eventually affect milk supply. That’s what is making the decision so difficult for me. I can’t really justify buying two expensive pumps right now, so I want to invest in just one good pump. I’m more inclined towards a wearable, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money on one and then find that it isn’t emptying me properly or that my supply is dropping. I would really appreciate suggestions from anyone who has experience with this. Is there any wearable pump that is genuinely good enough to use as a primary pump and can perform close to a Spectra or other hospital-grade pump? Or, considering my previous breastfeeding experience and my goal of maintaining my supply, would I be better off investing in something like the Spectra or BabyBuddha and giving up some of the convenience of a wearable?

FTM, had my sweet boy 9/27. Planned to breast feed + pump to start building a supply. Birth weight: 7lb 13oz, at first appt down to 7lb 5oz & then we had a repeat appt 2 days later and down to 7lb 1.4oz. We talked about supplementing an additional 1oz at each feed (formula or pumped breast milk), and have since initiated it.

I pump after every feed during the day (every 3 hours) and every other feed at night (usually only skip 1 or 2). The pattern from my last few outputs has been: 30mL—>56mL—>34mL—>20mL—>35mL.

Again, these are post nursing pumps, but does this mean i’ll kinda always make around this amount? I was hoping to build up a little bit of supply but I really just make just enough to supplement. I am sure it’s early but does this mean I won’t ever make more?

I’m currently using the spectra s1 pump (blue). I also have: eufy s1pro, willow, & hand pump (have had 0 success with). i’m hesitant to try a different pump bc I know my spectra is at least semi reliable.

Thoughts? Ways to increase production? Have been: drinking lots of water, eating protein, eating lactation oat balls with brewers yeast, drinking body armor.

Has anyone use a bottle washer for cleaning the Momcozy air 1? I love that pump but hate hand washing it

I have the Eufy S1 wearables and am using it as my primary pump. I sterilize 1 time every 24 hours ...baby is 7 weeks. I use fridge hack for the full 24 hours.

I have a papablic sterilizer and dryer. The sterilization cycle is 6 minutes. EUFY states sterilization should be 5 mins. First month of using pump, I noticed a big drop in suction around week 3....I attribute this to sterilization. Second month, I got my insurance replacement parts and try to wash parts in a basin with soap and VERY hot water from the sink. QUESTION: can this count as sterilization? Still, I am about halfway through the month with these replacement parts and the suction has already dropped. Tonight i switched to the spare duckbills and will use that the next two weeks until I can order next month's replacement parts through insurance.

For those of you who use this brand....or I guess any breastpump really as sterilization can probably break down parts over time....are you noticing a drop in your suction? What do you do about this? I end up turning the suction all the way up to compensate for its weakness. Should i reach out to the company for guidance?

I am finding it extremely frustrating to have this drop in suction as I rely on yhis since baby is not very good at latching to mr and emptying me efficiently.

Please offer some advice, opinions, hacks, methods as to how I can avoid this warping to the parts and preserve the suction for the full month until parts arrive. Thank you!

Airline Travel while Pumping

I will begin traveling for work about 2 days a month at 3 months PP. LO will be staying with Daddy.

I plan to pump while traveling to keep up my supply. However, what do I do with the milk? Must I just dump it?

The very idea pains my heart. But how do I transport the milk without spoiling it? I should have access to a hotel freezer and fridge. But can you take milk through the airport?

I am currently getting around 30 ounces daily.