Home Forums Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Pumping vs. expressing

I've been using a Medela Latina pump and expressing using the Marmet Technique. I seem to get better results just hand expressing. Why would this be? I feel as though I'm waisting my money renting the Medela. Any suggestions or feedback? <img src="http://www.asklenore.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />

Hi Amy,

A lot of women have difficulty "letting down" to a pump. After all it's mechanical, it has no body temperature, and it makes a lot of noise. The Lactina pump uses suction to withdraw the milk. Hand expression uses possitive pressure to withdraw the milk.

It is possible that your Lactina is not properly set or is missing a part. Did you have a consult with a lactation consultant when you rented the pump? Did she or someone else verify that the pump was in working order and that you were positioning it optimally?

If so, how about if you hand express first to assist your let down response, then use the pump for about 10 min to help with breast stimulation and then do another round of hand expression?

Keep us posted ok?

Fondly,