unable to pump

Maybe you’re not using the correct flange size? I had the same issue at the beginning, until I found out the right size, my milk supply has gone up by a lot and it doesn’t hurt to pump anymore

ugh idk a lactation consultant sized me and in the beginning i was able to pump like 6oz when my milk came in so i doubt it’s the flange size..idk, i have elastic nipples that go down the whole flange but idk what the issue is..maybe i’ll have to get resized in case

Momma, first off breath, stress doesn't help mentally or pumping. If you need to supplement with formula, it's okay because a fed baby is better than a hungry baby.

My question: Do you have the correct flange size? It can make a world of difference! I thought I was 24mm and would pump nothing and finally measured with a lactation specialist and received a 21mm, and BAM, it worked.

Also, you might just have to hand express it does take longer, but the massage you can do or the "sandwich" hold you do while breastfeeding can make it go quicker... just be warned I didn't know one booked sprayed and the other was droplets 😂

I was sized shortly after delivery and went down a few times. I would get some smaller sets and give them a try.

I have elastic nipples too, I tried every single size and it didn’t feel right. I read somewhere that you need to add 4mm to your size. So if you measure 15mm, you need a 19mm flange. That’s what worked for me. I’ll give it a try again, I also read that for some people, their size changes after a while. You can get a nipple ruler and measure at home, it’s actually really easy.
Hope you find a solution, I know how frustrating that is 😖

Your clogged duct is probably why your baby doesn’t want to nurse and might be why you can’t get milk out. Try ice packs and sunflower lecithin! Massage! And do green cabbage leaves in bra.
Keep pumping even if it’s just a little and use a massager while pumping

Also I follow @karrie_locher on instagram and she talks about nursing strikes. She’s really helpful with breastfeeding! She has a whole story highlight on nursing strikes.

Some tips for nursing strikes that she mentions:
Change environment - go to a dim quiet room with white noise
Bounce on a ball (lightly)
Nurse in a carrier if you have
Stand and sway while nursing
Change breastfeeding positions - try side lying, football hold, tummy to tummy, reclined, see if any of those speak to your baby

But she says resolving the clogged duct is #1! Those things are More To get them back on the breast afterward

Good luck❤️

When I was dealing with clogged ducts Epsom salt soaks with my haaka really help. Doing light massages while pumping and heat for a couple minutes before pumping or feeding helped as well.

Gravity is also your friend, I've gotten on all fours while pumping to relieve a clog. And more recently, my partner helped out with a clogged duct. 🫣

Hand express, massage breasts while pumping. Massage before pumping and use a warm compress to help trigger a letdown.

@Incognito Going to give you a lot of info so sorry for the long post. VI am a strictly pumping momma as my LO will not latch on to me and have to feed my breast milk via bottle. How old is your LO sometimes that will play a role in your production? Here are some products and tips that have helped me out so far with my pumping journey. Flange size is huge when it comes to pumping (we do change sizes with this unfortunately but there is a nipple sizer off Amazon you can buy). With the clogged ducts what my Dr recommended was getting in the shower with the hottest temp possible that you can stand on your boobs, then push/massage down towards your nipple all the way around the boob until you start to feel the hardness subside. (You will eventually start to just shoot streams off milk). Continued in the next post....

Now on to the pump I absolutely hate the traditional hosed pumps, I have 2 and they never worked for me. I absolutely love my nicegreen Handsfree Wearable pump ( NICEGREEN LIFE Breast Pumps Hands-Free, Wearable Breast Pump for Breastfeeding, 3 Modes & 12 Levels with LED Display, Low Noise with Memory Function Electric Rechargeable Pump https://a.co/d/7MPVo3U ) it's one of the cheaper ones but it gets its job done. Continued in the next post....

This next step is going to kinda suck depending on how clogged you are. You want to put your setting to just suction and put it on the highest setting (start low for one min then bump it all the way up so it's not a complete shock) take a towel (I used a small body towel for my baby) put it in hot water to make a warm damp compress, (same as the shower as hot as possible) you are going to drap this over your boobs and pumps making sure they are completely covered. Then you are going to do a modified power pump. Continued in the next post....

Pump for 30 min then take a 5 min break (making sure to hand massage towards your nipple during your break, wear a lady bug collector cup during this if you want to save the liquid gold from this step) and get your towel hot again then pump for 15 min (you should start to feel some relief at this point if you haven't already with the previous steps) then take a 15 min break and repeat with the hot towel and pump for another 15 min. Repeat in 3 hours. If this does not help after the second round then I would advise calling your Dr. or a lactation specialist. Continued in the next post....

Now to help with production I make sure I am well hydrated (not just water electrolytes as well), eat 4-5 full meals a day if possible, and pump every 3 hours for 30 minutes (this is super easy with the wearable pump, if your work has an issue with this depending on the state your in they have to let you pump when needed. Look into your maternity laws for your state). I also use a production supplement from Amazon (Pink Stork Pumping Moms Lactation Supplement - Support Breast Milk Supply and Flow with Goat's Rue, Milk Thistle and Moringa, Fenugreek-Free, Breastfeeding Essentials for New Moms - 60 Capsules https://a.co/d/5AMCp3H) with this and increasing my food intake I went from producing 1-2 oz each boob to 5-8 oz each boob every 3 hours. Continued in the next post ....

It also helps to bottle feed your LO while you pump as this makes your body think you are feeding them and will help with your let down while pumping ( DON'T DO THIS WHILE TRYING TO BREAK THE CLOGGED DUCT). I know it's a lot of information, but I hope it helps. Reach out if you have any questions. Good luck you got this momma. 💕💕

thanks so much!! luckily baby latched and i got the clogs out because he drained the breast so i feel much better. i appreciate the info about the nursing strike, its so hard!

lol 😂 i thought about asking my husband and i know he would’ve helped but luckily my baby latched and got it out!

thank you soooo much for all the info, it means so much you took the time to help! 🥰♥️

if you have elastic nipples, i recommend the pumpin pals flanges!😊they’ve helped me so much!