Oh, I wanted to add about the Medela pumps--I bought new pump parts (bottles/flanges etc.) and the suction went up a lot--they're not expensive and you can get them through Celki Medical in HK. Probably $200 HKD to replace everything. Over time, especially if you're boiling parts to disinfect them the plastic loosens up and the seal isn't as good. This is my experience.
Medela pump cannot express milk
- Thread starter a mum
- Start date
I own a medela freestyle & a medela hand pump. I use the freestyle as a double pump at work because it's much faster & as a single pump at home when I'm nursing on one side and pumping the other. Since it comes with adapter clips, the pump can be attached to your bra for hands-free pumping. I use the hand pump when traveling or when I only need to pump once during a half-day work.
Hi there!
I didn't read the whole thread so apologies if someone has already covered this...
Something to be aware of, is that suction strength is not the main factor when it comes to releasing breast milk. Even the strongest pump will not extract much milk if you don't achieve a 'let down' reflex when pumping. What it will achieve is very sore nipples
The 'let down' reflex is an automatic response by your breasts to release and eject milk. When your baby sucks at the breast, you have a psychological and hormonal response which triggers the breasts to release milk. Once your milk is flowing, less suction is required, your baby can simply enjoy this free flowing milk. When the baby sucks at the breast you may or may not feel this let down reflex which, depending on the length of the feed, can happen multiple times throughout. Those who do feel this reflex describe it as a crampy, tingling or tightening feeling. Note than many mothers do not feel this at all...
Many mothers don't achieve a good let down reflex when pumping. A pump does not necessarily trigger the same psychological and hormonal response as a soft, warm and cuddly baby. Some mothers find it useful to think of their baby, look at a picture etc while pumping to get a good let down.
A very common misconception is that "if I can't pump any milk I must not have enough". Many mothers (including myself) who have a good supply find it hard to pump. I joke that my body knows its a pump and won't give up its hard earned milk to a machine hehe!
Good luck!
Lali
I didn't read the whole thread so apologies if someone has already covered this...
Something to be aware of, is that suction strength is not the main factor when it comes to releasing breast milk. Even the strongest pump will not extract much milk if you don't achieve a 'let down' reflex when pumping. What it will achieve is very sore nipples
The 'let down' reflex is an automatic response by your breasts to release and eject milk. When your baby sucks at the breast, you have a psychological and hormonal response which triggers the breasts to release milk. Once your milk is flowing, less suction is required, your baby can simply enjoy this free flowing milk. When the baby sucks at the breast you may or may not feel this let down reflex which, depending on the length of the feed, can happen multiple times throughout. Those who do feel this reflex describe it as a crampy, tingling or tightening feeling. Note than many mothers do not feel this at all...
Many mothers don't achieve a good let down reflex when pumping. A pump does not necessarily trigger the same psychological and hormonal response as a soft, warm and cuddly baby. Some mothers find it useful to think of their baby, look at a picture etc while pumping to get a good let down.
A very common misconception is that "if I can't pump any milk I must not have enough". Many mothers (including myself) who have a good supply find it hard to pump. I joke that my body knows its a pump and won't give up its hard earned milk to a machine hehe!
Good luck!
Lali
Gataloca
Registered User
Agree with Lali. I use the Avent manual pump, and actually the pump has a stronger suction when I use it without the massage shield. However, without the massage shield I can hardly have any letdown, so I would not get as much milk as when i pump with the massage shield on.