Breastfeeding/Pumping after WLS

 With my last pregnancy I had a terrible time with the pump.  The time I was actually breastfeeding my baby it went just fine, but whenever I had to use the pump I hardly ever got any out.

It seemed to me that the problem was that the flesh of my breast was so loose from loosing all that weight that the breastpump couldn't get the proper pressure on the breast.  I had to always squeeze my breasts to help. It was a laborious, lengthy process just to pump on one side.  I couldn't use the hands-free pumping mechanisms because there wouldn't be enough pressure without my hands to help.  So I had to do one side at a time, and it took forever.

Last time, I returned to work full time when my son was 7 months old, and within a month had stopped breastfeeding altogether.  I would pump three times a day at the office, spending nearly two hours pumping, and get only 2 ounces all day.  And then my supply began to drop like a rock and I didn't have milk for the evenings with him.  So we had to go on to formula.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing with the pump?  This time I'll have to return to work full time at 6 - 8 weeks after the baby is born and I'm very concerned about loosing my breastmilk to the inadequacies of the pump.  Does anyone have any suggestions for overcoming this issue?

Thanks!

I also have to push pretty hard on the cups to ensure I get the suction I need for pumping but it's not impossible and I can do the double pump no problem. I get about 12 oz throughout a work day - pumping 3x for 15mins each time. I would be so frustrated if I had your pumping problems!! You should definitely sit down with a lactation specialist at the hospital and bring your pump and see if she can help you master that pump. It would be really sad if the pump just didn't work for you!! Good luck w/ that darn pump!!

-Ashlie

What kind of pump where you using, and do you know what size flanges? You CAN get bigger flanges that will cover more surface area on the breast and might help you to get a better seal.

 I have the Medela Pump In Style which you can see here: www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breast-pumps/354/pump -in-style-advanced-the-metro-bag

I also tried buying a few different flanges, but noticed that the bigger ones seemed to work even less well?  Because they were so big and covered so much area, it was even harder to maintain the firmness needed to pump.  I ended up using a type of flange that was more "soft" and bendable because it kept the seal best.

I'll definitely be trying to get help from a lactation consultant.  I just never had a problem with the actual breastfeeding part, it was only the pump that gave me trouble, and I'm not sure if they can help with that?

Hmmm, let me make a few calls and see if I can find out any info for you! The PIS is awsome, so the pump part is not an issue (sometimes if they don't have the right power, the suction can be horrible). There has to be something out there that will help!

 Thank you so much!  Looking forward to hearing what you find out. =)  Just FYI, this isn't a big rush.  My baby isn't due until July.  I'm just looking ahead.

Ok, so after talking to some of my other BFing friends and my LC friend, these are the reccomendations that I got -

1 - this angled breast flange, it comes in 3 diffrent sizes and it's angled so it  covers more breast tissue at the top, giving you more coverage of the skin, hopefully giving you a better seal -

http://www.pumpinpal.com/

2 - use a hands free pumping bra! This gives the breast some support, all around, helping to push the breast tissue up, making it firmer, so you should be able to get a better seal that way -

I saw this one at BBB, and it looks pretty good b/c its a halter, so it gives quite a bit of support all around -

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU =15029722

3 - A soft insert breast shield, I use these to keep my nipples from rubbing, and love them, they fit right into the flange, and are soft/flexiable matieral that might help -

http://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Baby-Manual-Breast-System/dp/B 000WQ4PTE

That is what I have for now, since you have time, I will keep my eye/ears open and if I hear anything better or come across anyone with this issue I will let you know!

Good luck.

 Wow thanks for the good tips!  I'll definitely check out these items.  Can't hurt to try. =)

Did you buy your pump new?  I have one new pump in style and one that I bought used.  The new one works great and I can empty my breasts with it.  The used one is worthless.  I can barely get an ounce at a time.  If that was the only pump I had I my milk would have dried up in a weeks time once I went back to work.    I also can only pump one breast at a time.  I have to massage and squeeze my breast the entire time!

Good luck!
Amy

 Ya, it was new when my son was born.  I got it as a baby shower gift and it was new in the box.

At least it's good to know that others have to do the massage as well.  

Maybe a lactation consultant would be able to tell me if there is something faulty with my pump.