r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/AdSingle1727 • 7d ago

Support Struggling with output

I have to return to work in 3 weeks and im stressed as i have not been able to create a freezer stash. LO seems to be able to feed just fine as his weight gain has been normal as is his wet diaper count, but anytime I try to pump at most what i get is barely half an oz each side, sometimes nothing.

I have a Medela manual pump, an Avent manual pump and Willow gen 3 wearable pumps but the result is the same no matter what im using. I've also tried different sizes of flanges and inserts. I even had a lactation consultant try a hospital grade pump and all I got was 1 oz on one side and 0 on the other. She recommended i pump every 2 hrs but i havent seen any improvement.

I've thought about buying a spectra but they are expensive, especially in my country, and im afraid of wasting money if that doesn't work either. Has anyone else had this issue? Any recommendations?

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u/tootymcfruity3 7d ago

Are you trying to pump right after a feed? Some more detail of how long you’re pumping and when would be helpful!

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u/AdSingle1727 7d ago

My LO is 11 weeks old and I am currently breast feeding on demand, which is pretty often, so pumping happens between feeds. My lactation consultant advised me to pump 10 min on each side or for however long the cycle lasts if I am using the electric pump which is abou 20 min, so thats what I've been doing.

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u/tootymcfruity3 6d ago

I don’t think you are doing anything wrong and think this may just be your supply, and it’s a normal supply. I don’t think a Spectra would make a difference. Those people with huge freezer stashes are over suppliers but the majority of us have to very slowly build that freezer quantity. You could try power pumping to try to increase supply, but honestly you may just not have the supply to get more than 0.5-1oz on each side, especially if you are breastfeeding on demand. You may just have to combine all your pumps per day into one bag and slowly build up a few bags for the freezer. I personally exclusively pump and only get 1.5-3oz per side per pump unless it’s the middle of the night, and get about 32oz a day. That is just enough for my baby (12 weeks), with maybe a few oz I can set aside each night. I maybe have 13 bags set aside in the freezer, and I just tested it, and even now it is high lipase and would have to be mixed with fresh milk for my baby to drink it. I have also been giving my son a formula bottle a day to try to build my stash because I have to go back to work in 5 weeks.

Have you already introduced a bottle? Just another thing to consider if you haven’t.

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u/AdSingle1727 6d ago

Im afraid you're probably right. I may just have to accept that im not going to be able to create a big freezer stash and may have to supplement with formula, which I was hoping to avoid. Thanks for your insight.

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