well we tried...and still not working :(

Well I really tried to get them both on the breast but they are screaming every time (except at night...) so I decided to pump and bottle feed them from now on, removing the pressure on all of us.

So I was wondering I have a Medela mini electric right now... not ideal but I never needed to pump before with my 3 other dc, just there to relieve some engorgement. I am looking at the medela Swing or Pump In Style (advanced?)or maybe the Freestyle. I read good reviews on the Swing, that it seems to work as well as a Symphony some say and the price is really good! What would you choose?

Also for those of you who pump exclusively during the day, how many times do you do it? And how many ounces do you usually collect per session?

TIA!!!

 

I know the frustration! I almost decided to pump and bottle...but did a Hail Mary LC visit and had success. But there was a time where I pumped and bottled everytime they did not latch, and I pumped a ton for the first several weeks to build my supply and because of poor latching. I got the Medela Pump in Style Advanced. I think we paid close to $300. Even though I BF exclusively now, I use it 1x/day to pump for milk for cereal and whenever I am away from them. I love it. I would recommend it, however if I could do it again, I would consider buying a used hospital grade pump and have it serviced, cleaned, etc.

 

I liked the swing but if you're going to be pumping a lot, get a double pump. The single just takes.too.long.to.do.both.sides.

 

The PISA is a great pump but the Freestyle has a few extra features. Both good pumps- you'll need a double pump for sure.
Google Jane Mortons video " Hands on pumping" .
You'll need to pump just as often as they eat so at least every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes. Then you'll still have to feed the babies! If you can do, invest in a good LC its WORTH it!
Milk volume is different for everyone.... some women are great pumpers and some not so much. Pumping can be a lot harder than nursing (as far as maintaining a supply) so you have to be dedicated to it, if thats the route you go!

 

I got the Freestyle and I was just an occasional pumper. Even so, I found it totally TOTALLY worth the money. Love the fact that you don't have to take the whole ugly Medela bag with you everywhere, and you can clip the unit on your belt if you want to and walk around, or at least hide that little thing under a pillow since the pumping noise drove me nutso. It was a great investment and it worked as well as the hospital grade pumps I'd used before it.

 

To increase the supply, you should look into renting one from the hospital! It has done the job for me! I tried one I bought with my 4 year old daughter, and it didnt really help that much...released pressure, but did not increase supply. The hospital grade one is stronger and my milk came in very quickly and Im producing sooooo much more! Once my supply is fully going, I have a purchased pump I will use...when I go back to work, but my supply has to be trong before Ill use it...

 

I had a Medela, Pump in Style. I pumped every three hours round the clock for several weeks and I second the double pump. Could not imagine pumping without a double. I was a good producer, so within three weeks I was pumping enough that by the end of the day I had enough to put in the freezer. I usually fed the girls a bottle, and then pumped afterwards and stayed on their schedule. I filled up their bottles as I pumped throughout the day. Once all their bottles was full, then I bagged the rest for the next day or for the freezer when my supply was in full swing.

 

Whats different about nighttime vs daytime? during the day are you attempting to nurse at the first signs of hunger? crying is a very late hunger cue. I also wonder if its because a half sleeping baby doesn't notice when the milk takes a few minutes to flow...whereas a very awake alert baby who is used to getting a bottle and huge mouth of milk on the first suck will be frustrated when the milk doesn't flow right away during the day... have you tried pumping a few minutes to get your nipple pulled out and the milk flowing? that might help with nursing during the day...

 

Well, it seems that they are nursing again!!! They did it yesterday and this morning too

I'm so happy!!!!Hopefully they'll keep on doing a great job!!! I still have to supplement as my supply has dropped but I'm really hoping that it will come back soon as I put them at the breast whenever they ask for it. I'm still going to buy a pump though, still debating between Medela Freestyle or PISA... To help in the process my fenugreek and blessed thisle are on their way

Thanks again for your support and great advice!!!

 

You can also take Brewer's Yeast!

 

Thank you!! I never heard of it... I will look into it!! I heard that beer can help so I guess brewer's yeast makes total sense and plus it's without alcohol

 

I'm happy to hear that they're nursing again! Good for you for sticking with it!

My twins had a hard time latching on for the first several months. Those months were rough for us because I was trying to get them to nurse & then having to pump. Feedings were taking forever & all 3 of us were stressed out. I decided to forget nursing for awhile & just pump. That decision seemed to help relive all of our stress about nursing. I just kept offering the breast. If they didn't take it, I'd offer a bottle of EBM. Finally, around 5 months, they just started latching on & we haven't looked back. They are 14 months on & still nursing 2-3 times a day.

When I was pumping, I pumped 6-8 oz., 4 times a day. Not enough for all of their feedings, so I had to supplement with formula. If I was home with them all the time, I feel as if I would have had enough milk for them. The pump just doesn't do the job like a baby can. Fenugreek & drinking lots of water made the biggest difference in milk supply for me.

 

We have the pump in style advanced.

When my LO's were that young I was pumping as often as tehy were eating, they were getting 6 bottles a day, so I was pumping 6 times.

I have exclusiviely pumped ym twins and they are almost 1 years old.

I would get about 10 -12 oz each session during the day. except first thing in them orning i would get about 20-23 oz.

good luck momma you can do it!