Pumping is suddenly not working anymore

Hunts in Dubai, my DD started biting me at around 9 months, to the point where I would need bandages. In the end I believed it was due to frustration as my milk would not let down or there was just not enough of it. So she went on to a mix of BF and formula and then formula. At 12 months I gave her cow's milk. You have done a great job BF your DS until now.

I regularly bf and pumped for my DS. However at about 9 months (he is almost 1 year) I just couldn't pump anymore. I don't think it was the pump it was just nature. I was lucky enough that I was able to from the start freeze some milk so had a good stock in a small deep freezer. DS then went onto a combination of formula and bf. I was able to bf when at home before his naps and at bedtime. He had bm in his morning cereal. However when we were out it wasn't possible to bf unless I could find a room somewhere as he just wouldn't let me us the feeding cover. Could it be just nature taking its course? Have to say I had a wee cry this morning as I think even our bf times at nap and bedtime are over. He only feeds for about 3 minutes then has some formula I just don't think there is any milk left in me. But I've made it to a year and feel very very lucky as so many friends were not able to bf. Is there a reason you don't want to use formula? I felt the same at the time but again I have been lucky that DS will switch between formula and bm with no problem. Hope you are able to continue and some of the recommendations below help.

Hi Sunsa, don't know which pump you use but maybe you could look at renting out a hospital grade pump for a week to give the process a jumpstart? I used a Lactina for a month and it really helped move things along far more quickly than my other small electric pump.

PS Link to the HM4HB UAE page that Pentel mentioned: http://www.facebook.com/#!/HM4HBUAE (Scroll down for recent-ish offers of milk, or post your own request.) xx

Great advice below. Your body now is producing just enough milk for your little one, and no extra - which is why it's hard for you to express extra milk at the moment. By pumping regularly, you will be able to increase your supply - I don't know how long until you are going away, but if it's a while yet then with a bit of time investment into expressing, then it should well be possible to get enough stored without having to ask for donations. You might also like to consider herbal galactagogues in the short time - many mums find that fenugreek helps boost their milk supply (search the kellymom or the Jack Newman site for dosage and more info - or drop me a line on khoury at null dot net). I don't know what kind of pump you have, but if it's a single hand-held then you might like to try pumping while feeding; of great importance in expressing milk is triggering the let-down - and if babe is feeding on the other side, then the job's done :). Otherwise, pumping immediately after a feed (on the side which baby fed less from), and first thing in the morning (when milk supply tends to be at its highest) might help. If you're looking to increase your supply sufficiently to make extra to store, then pumping for a few minutes after the last drop will help stimulate your body to make more milk. Wrt expressing while away, as kiwispiers says, it's a good idea to express while away if you want to avoid the risk of engorgement, blocked ducts or mastitis. I suspect you'll find that without baby to remove milk, you'll find it easier to pump; hand expression is an alternative though ([url=http://ammehjelpen.no/handmelking?id=907'>http://ammehjelpen.no/handmelking?id=907 [/url'> has a short but great video and directions - scroll down for the English version). If you're just away for two days, and if you've had no problems with supply thus far, then I also agree that your supply will probably bounce back as long as you're able to spend lots of time with your little one allowing unrestricted access to the breast for a couple of days on your return. Good luck, and let us know how you get on! xx (Edited to change the videolink) edited by BFC on 18/07/2011 <em>edited by BFC on 18/07/2011</em>

check out kellymom for both of your queries... http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html How much time do you have before you go away? You don't have to give formula, do you have any nursing friends that you could ask for a donation from? You could ask through the Human Milk for Human Babies facebook page.

100 Ml each side is an awesome yield, I never got more than 50-120mL in total. You might want to replace the little rubber thing (the membrane?; this thing if its a medela) http://www.amazon.com/Medela-87089-Valves-Membranes/dp/B0006Q561Q as they wear out and your pump might have lost suction. If your body had "forgotten" I'm sure it can remember again, if you have time to pump each night a couple of hours after your baby has gone to bed and just before you do, I found this the best time as it means you're not taking away from her day feeds. Whether or not you give formula,, while you're away you should definitely pump or hand express even if you only get a little, otherwise you might get engorged and don't want to risk mastitis, you could see a temporary drop in supply afterwards but I'm sure so long as you give a few extra feeds when you get back you'll be bounce back.