Not getting anything when I express

[CluckySC]

Has anyone else had this problem?

I'm breastfeeding my (almost) 10 month old son (planning to keep going until he self weans or is about 2-3, whichever comes first!) and haven't got a problem with milk supply. Have plenty. He's feeding well and happy. But when I try to express my breasts either wont let down or if they do I usually end up getting between 5ml-20ml for half an hour of expressing :no:
About once-twice a week I get lucky and I end up getting up to 50ml. It's not that the milk's not there, it's that it wont put out for the breastpump :p

My breastpump is brilliant, and until my son was about 6 months I'd end heaps when expressing, but since then I've been expressing every day just to get enough to go out for 3-4 hours once a week (he likes a "snack" feed every two hours or so).

I've spoken to the ABA but they just suggested I never go out. Or that I imagine a tap going on down the other side of the house. Neither worked.

If anyone has had this and can offer a solution I'd be THRILLED!!

Otherwise now that he's into solids (he couldn't be much bothered with them until about 6 weeks ago) I was thinking of trying him with another milky drink when I'm not there. Expressing that much for that little is driving me mad.

Problem is, I'm massively allergic to cows milk and goats milk, so I don't want to try him on either till he's old enough to tell me if they've made him feel rotten too. I was thinking of trying him with a little organic rice milk, since I'm only gone 4 hours max it's more for a snack than an actual feed.

Has anyone tried their bub with rice milk or soy or something else?

Any suggestions would be appreciated :)

[SuperGranny]

hi, I must say while reading your post, I was wondering why you are trying to express. Ten month old is good to be able to eat solids. while you are out why not offer just water in a sippy cup, or try some soy milk if there is one ok for infants. It is only for a snack while you are out, do you not want to breast fed in public?? For the allergies, perhaps try some of the different milk, soy? rice? while you are at home , in case bub has a bit of a reaction to it. My daughter cannot tolerate rice milk and she is 27 years old. I never was able to express any milk, except the first couple of days after giving birth, I had two nurses helping me and I managed about half of a little paper cup. cheers marie.

[CluckySC]

I'm fine to breastfeed in public, I meant for the times I'm out without him :)

My mother watches him for me if I'm away from him but he tends to get cranky if he can't have a snack of milk every hour or two. She's tried feeding him solids when he wants a snack but no luck. He wants milk. He's still feeding every 2 hours most days, even though he's on solids. Perhaps he's just a fan of breasts? ;)

Will try some rice or soy milk to see how he goes...

[belle27]

Have you tried holding baby's blanket or something with his smell? A picture of baby or something that smells like him, or listening to a tape with a baby crying, can fool your body a bit. Worked for me.

[Milliner]

You can try and encourage the let down by:

A heat pack and gentle massage
Relax, relax, relax
think of your baby
Or if that doesn't work try diverting your attention; read a magazine, watch a movie or tv, surf the net

[noopy]

which pump have you got??
i had a terrible time with the avent electronic isis uno. i was using it to pump maybe about 3 times a day and it only lasted me 1.5 weeks!!! my lactation nurse said tht for some reson the avent electric pumps are really only designed to be used about 3 times a week, not 3 times a day!!!

i still have so much milk but because the $200 pump dont work anymore (yes, i've asked for a refund from avent but they wont give me one!!!) i'm now hand expressing which i get about 40ml in about 2 mins.. its actually more efficient than the pump!!!

maybe you could try that?????

[CluckySC]

Yep, have tried smelling his clothing, looking at photos. Looking at him. Reading. Being on the net. Watching TV. Meditating. Trying in different rooms of the house and different times of day. Something will work one time then never again. *sigh*

I have the Medela Swing, after returning my avent hand pump early on because it was *&^%$ (wouldn't suck!). Was always good. Maybe I should try getting a fresh nipple shield for it, in case that helps....

[MountainGirl]

2 things that work for me are

1) Feeding DS on one side and expressing the other at the same time,.....

2) Doing pelvic floor exercises! It makes my letdown happen really really quickly! Strange,..but true!:yes::D

[noopy]

I have the Medela Swing, after returning my avent hand pump early on because it was *&^%$ (wouldn't suck!).

How did you return the avent pump? did you get your $$ back?? Avent told me that they wont give me a refund cos its a personal product but i cant use it at all and now i feel like i'm just throwing $200 down the drain!!!! i think i'm gonna have to write a letter to the head manager of avent cos i'm not happy at all. i'm soooooo annoyed!!

[CluckySC]

The local pharmacy that I bought it from let me return it and exchange it for the medela one. Which was very lucky because it had been used/steralised etc. It just wouldn't work.

You should write a letter. $200 is a decent amount of money! Silly avent :p

Oh and will try the pelvic floor exercises Scarlett_Jasper_Rafferty. Never tried that for a let down but you never know!

[noopy]

Well, i bought it from Baby on a Budget and they won't refund me either... in fact, they didn't want to know about it. i'm very disappointed as i buy most of my stuff from there...
I'll get a letter sorted straight away...