Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Can your breasts be conditioned to a certain pump?

I was on the protocol for 6 months. I started pumping Jan 3 with a borrowed Ameda Purely Yours pump. I was progressing nicely (I think). I got drops the first two days. The third day I got 2.5 ozs. By the 7th day I got 10.25 ozs. 14 days into my pumping I got my own pump a Limerick. The first day I used it I went from pumping 14.5 ozs to pumping 13 oz but yesterday it went back up to 14.5 using the Limerick.

This morning I awoke with concrete breasts. They were killing me! I couldn't get to the pump fast enough. But...after pumping for 17 minutes I got 1oz from my right and 1/2oz from my left (my left has always produced about half what the right has). My breasts were still aching so I soaked in warm tub for about 20 minutes and then pumped again with little success. I still have the borrowed Ameda and in desperation tried it. In about 10 minutes I had pumped 2.5ozs from my right and 1.5 from my left. Whew!!! Then I felt better. So my question is this...is the Ameda better than the Limerick..or...did my breasts becomed conditioned to the Ameda and are responding poorly to the Limerick.

Additionally the two days I used the Limerick and got about the same amt as on the days with the Ameda I had to pump about twice as long at each session than I did with the Ameda.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Maybe I need to purchase an Ameda? I don't want to risk my millk supply. My baby should be here anytime.

I definetly would not get the ameda. If your going to get another pump Get the Pump In Style. Its way stronger than the ameda. And the amedas are notorious for breaking. If you do get pump in style. I would suggest pumping with the Limrick first.. Then finishing up with the Pump In Style. Your breast can get conditioned one type of pump. You just need to train them for the limrick as well.

Thank your so much for your response. I was beginning to think I was wierd. How long should I pump with the Limerick before I switch to the Pump in Style? When I was pumping with the Limerick I would have to pump for 30 minutes or better to get what I was with the Ameda. Should I pump until I am getting no more milk then switch. In that case I could be pumping for a long time each time I pump. But I am willing to do what I need to do. I don't want to risk my supply.

I would appreciate any comments/suggestions/advice, etc

Dear Cheeco,

This is very odd. I suspect there may be a problem with the manner in which the Limerick is being used. It works much differently from the other pumps. Kindly email Joan Ortiz joan.ortiz@limerickinc.com for clarification regarding the settings and positioning of the pump.

Best,

Cheecho,
Hi - your story sounds similar to mine, except that I started with the Limerick. I developed horrible plugged ducts. I found out that I was not using it correctly. You have to have the "cycle" knob turned all the way on. Then, adjust the "vacuum" knob as far as you can go and still be comfortable. This should work much better for you. I used an Ameda to clear the ducts as well. The Limerick works better if you use it correctly. Getting two pumps is quite expensive... hopefully this helps.

Punky