Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Breasts swollen, pump won't take.

Hi everyone.

Well the pumping has been going very well, getting over 200ml per day now, but today I had real trouble getting the pump to take the nipple. I haven't done anything different, the pump is working fine, but my breasts just seem to be much firmer and the pump is having great trouble 'sucking' it in to get everything started. It is very frustrating. Eventually it takes the nipple in, and the let down happens but it is taking almost double the time for this to happen. I am sticking to the pumping timings so I'm not sure what is happening. Any suggestions?

Bernice you might need to hand express a bit before pumping. Also are you doing the breast massage? That helps too I believe.

Bernice -
glad to hear all is going well...except for the pump not working perfectly. But it sounds like your supply has increased which is so exciting!
I'm pumping around 8oz per day now, which feels like a huge accomplishment but still just not enough. I've been pumping for almost 5 weeks and I hope it continues to improve...I wish I'd started pumping earlier...but this was the protocol I was given.

I do find that I have to rearrange my nipples frequently at the beginning and I'm almost thinking of getting the larger breast shields (that may help you too).
I am getting sprays now which I hope is a good sign as we're getting awfully close to d-day : )
Hope the pumping issue gets sorted out.
good luck!

Hi Lalle and KKB

Thanks for the advice. Thankfully things settled down again, it was just that one day - phew!!

Wonderful news on your volumes 8oz is great!! People keep telling me, when I am worrying about the amounts, that the baby really does a much better job than the pump, so our bodies will adjust to the new requirement once they are latching on. You're doing great.