Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some advice because I’m struggling hard with pumping lately and can’t figure out what’s going on 😭 I’ve done all sorts of research, in addition to problem solving with ChatGPT to rule out factors that might affect it but I’m still so lost.
So some background:
I’m 10weeks pp now. Baby was admitted to NICU so was exclusively pumping from the beginning. I used to have output like ~120 mL in ~8 minutes (both sides) with Medela Symphony. I also used Spectra S1 at home and had similar total output though a bit less efficient. I was in the 800-1000ml per day for about 4 weeks, and it has been gradually decreasing (which I know is normal post partum as my supply started to regulate)
Because supply was going down, I started trying all sorts of things in hopes of increasing supply (power pumping, Pumping every 2-3 hours around the clock; Fenugreek and milk thistle (made my baby gassy); increased Hydration; Other small things like oats, almonds, you get the idea.
THE PROBLEM: total output each day continues to decrease, but I don’t think it’s a supply issue per se…
I can trigger letdown easily with hand expression; a lactation consultant also tested my letdown reflexes and said they were fine.
I’ve tried switching up the massage and expression modes, decreasing flange sizes, new pump parts, renting a medela symphony to see if my spectra was broken… and tried my friend’s momcozy m5; also tried different manual pumps, once let down started, flow seems to stop after about 30 seconds. Only getting super short bursts and not able to sustain
I often have to do pretty firm breast compressions to keep milk flowing, and even then it’s short-lived. ive been using heat before pumping as well
i once went ~7 hours without pumping (not intentional), and while distracted I got ~121 mL in 25 minutes… but I’ve never been able to replicate that and idk what was different
Most sessions now are much lower and inconsistent, like 30-40ml after 30 minutes because milk “struggles to come out”??? I would be in massage mode for 6 minutes with nothing. But when I do hand expression I can always get droplets or even let down. Everytime after pumping I do hand expression and see milk come out no problem
Oh one other thing that made me think it’s not supply issue is because I’ve been going to a public lactation consultant for latching practice and with weighted feeding my baby was able to take in about 50ml in 20mins of active sucking.
Lactation consultant and ChatGPT both suspect it’s my brain thinking a machine is not a baby therefore milk doesn’t need to be removed….
Has anyone experienced this in the past? I’ve also tried feeding and pumping, and looking at videos of my baby… not helping either :(
Sorry for a pretty disorganized post but…. Any advice would be much much much appreciated