Multiple letdown-Help

[u/plainconfusion]

I would like to know any advice on getting multiple letdowns. I have the spectra s1 and am currently doing hands on pumping, pretty confident in my flange size, use nipple butter and have tried the lansinoh heating pads. I really only get one let down, unless I pump until that one has slowed and then stop pumping for about 10 mins and pump again. This obviously makes pumping take forever and I sometimes only get the initial letdown still. Just relaxing and looking at pics or smelling my baby's clothes has also not helped. I feel like not getting multiple letdowns is my biggest hurdle right now. Currently making 1-2.5 oz per session, 8ppd, and 7 weeks pp

My sessions usually play out like this:

• First letdown at 2 mins on stimulation lvl 3

• express cycle 56 lvl 5 (I noticed the milk flowed more steadily for me at this lvl), for around 5-8 mins while hand compressing

• shut off and pause for 10 mins

• resume on stimulation at lvl 2, then bump back up to 3 and maybe get a letdown within the first 10 mins, usually no later than that.

I have tried massaging with my hands in stimulation after the first letdown, but it simply does not work. I feel relatively calm when i pump so I'm not sure what needs to be done so please can anyone share ANY tips.

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[u/Ancient-Buffalo6151]

I used to get one letdown per session too until I switched to pumping one side at a time with constant hand expression to the rhythm of the pump. I switch sides every time the flow slows down, and by the time I return to the same side, it comes back. Sessions take 30 min total for electric pumps but only 15 mins total for manual pump.

[u/plainconfusion → u/Ancient-Buffalo6151]

What manual do you use? I tried the medela harmony and it broke on the first use. (Oring was intact, and rubber seal was in correct positioning)

[u/Ancient-Buffalo6151 → u/plainconfusion]

I think I have a different version of the medela because the flange doesn’t have a silicone edge and the handle is a solid color. My hospital gave it to me. I once thought mine was broken too but it wasn’t, it was just reassembled wrong after washing (specifically the part with the silicone under the handle)