u/Fluffy-Association45

Im 4 weeks PP (LO was born at 30 weeks) and I pump 8x a day. The past couple of days I noticed that my right side - the producer side - has been a little lacking.

I noticed a firm bump close to my nipple under the areola that extended a little past the areola on the outer wall. I did some gentle massages to get it moving but it didnt work. It didnt hurt or anything but I noticed after a couple of minutes that there appeared to be a thick looking blob of milk where one of the exit points are. I tried to dab it away, thinking it was residual milk drops after a pump, but that didnt work so i did a gentle wipe and it popped (again, didnt hurt) and a couple milk droplets cane out. I put the pump back on for 5 minutes and got some extra output and that firmness disappeared.

That white blob looking thing is still there but I do get some milk flow coming from the exit it was blocking.

Would that be a milk bleb or something? Whats the safest way to fully remove the remaining parts, heal it, and prevent it from coming back? Im pretty sure my drainage would be quicker if the rest of the layer were to be gone.

Im 3 weeks PP and my milk supply hasnt increased at all, even with 8x a day pumping. Ive tried many things to try to increase it “naturally.” Has anyone tried herbal supplements for milk production with their babies in the NICU?

My LC recommended Milky Mamas Lady Leche but I’m a bit nervous about taking anything other than my postnatal pills and Sunflower Lecithin.

Anyone have good recommendations for comfortable ones or ones that you just wear to pump?

I have a couple of bras but they absolutely suck for me. Its either right on the nipple and the fabric is the worst thing to feel when it snaps on it after removing the flange, it bunches up and digs into my under boob area, or it doesnt hold up the flanges at all.

I'm having a hard time getting consistent output during my pumping. I'm currently 2 weeks PP. My son was born 10 weeks early, and I've been pumping 8x a day ever since he was born. I've only used the Medela brand, but I'm finding it a bit irritating.

My problems are:

1. I swell widthwise, no matter what flange size I use.
2. I can never fully drain, which causes ducts to be clogged, and it takes FOREVER to get them unclogged.
3. I have to spend up to an hour to get at least an output of 30ml. On a good day (which rarely happens), I'll get 60ml.
4. I have to lean forward, which absolutely sucks when I have pretty bad back issues and I'm still recovering from a C-section.
5. Either too much areola gets pulled in, or my nipples get squeezed in all the sizes that I've tried.

I've heard about the Spectra pump and pumpin pals flanges, but I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are.

My son was born 10 weeks early (April 13th/30+1) via emergency c section. I’ve been pumping since that very first day and I swear my body is deteriorating. Im trying so hard to not lose my absolute shit since I know how important breast milk is for NICU babies. Here are some quick facts since Im just so tired that I need to keep track of what im covering. Ill probably somehow still miss something:

1. I pump every 2-4 hours, including overnight.
2. I had a lactation consultant measure my nipple and its 15ish at the tip and 17ish at the base.
3. Ive tried these size plastic and silicone flanges - 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.
4. Im pretty sure I have elastic nipples. They swell and expand width wise to fill any flange that I use. It seems as though there is always either too much areola being pulled in OR my nipple just drags along the flange wall. Ive had to spend over an hour multiple times to unclog BOTH my boobs.
5. The Medela Symphony that the hospital has in my sons NICU room hurts and my Medela at home pump hurts (i even have these on the lowest settings but my nipples are always feeling pinched because of how the electric pumps snap). Ive been using a Medela hand pump and its less painful since I can control the rhythm and minimize the snapping from the suction but wow its a workout on my wrist and forearms.
6. My boobs are so…weird. Like tear drop and side set type? My nipples dont point downward but most of the weight sits low.
7. My left side is the slacker and right is the good one but the past couple of days both have been giving me a hard time.
8. Ive had mastitis with my first child about 14 years ago. Im taking sunflower lecithin and im on my third day but i still dont feel a difference in thinning of the milk. Or its just cause i cant find the right flange, idk.
9. Ive tried nipple butter in the tunnels & on my nipple. Heating pad before pumping. Hand massaging and using a lactation massage.
10. There are days where output in good (like yesterday) and days where its absolutely trash like today.
11. I have to bend forward most of the times to get things moving. Which you can imagine after having a c section, its not the best feeling. Now add on scoliosis, 2 herniated discs, SI issues and nerve issues in my lower back. I am struggling, hard.
12. It really just feels like each day, a different flange size works best and its frustrating the crap out of me.
13. My nipples are SO damn sensitive. I avoid having water hitting it directly in the shower. They take a while to go back to being normal after my pumps.

I know im missing some stuff but if anyone has any advice or follow up questions to clarify things further, PLEASEEEEE let me know. I really just want to be able to pump with good drainage and optimize my time since doing this for over an hour for is freeking terrible.