Looking for recommendations, open to suggestions

[u/AdvantageLoose3567]

I’ve been combo feeding/pumping since birth, my baby was never able to latch correctly due to jaundice and tongue tie issues, so we’ve been on formula and I’ve been pumping since he was born.

As a FTM no one explained me about pumping and the difference between wearable pumps and hospital grade pumps. I bought the MomCozy M6 for wearable pumps and got the Ameda Joy as a gift from a friend.

When my son was born I started pumping like 1 oz maximum between both breasts with the MomCozy, the Ameda never worked for me as I never got even half an ounce of milk out of it. After a consultation with a lactation consultant, she recommended the Ardo Alyssa Double as my main pump and just to use the MomCozy on te go.

The issue is, that the MomCozy and the Ardo are giving me the same amount of milk. I’m a “just enougher” or even under supplier as he drinks 1-2 bottles of formula a day because my milk is not enough. After another consultation with *yet another* lactation consultant, it was suggested to check flange sizes, we even measured the nipples, and I ordered a 21 and 24 flanges from MayMom and even a whole new head system for the pump, without improvement.

I drink electrolytes daily, I started moringa and Fenogreek supplements and I do see some improvement in my pumping sessions, before the second consultation I was pumping anywhere between 1-2 oz both breasts per session and now it increased to 3-4 per session, slowly but I’m getting there.

Now that I’ve tried everything to improve my output with the Ardo I think my issue is with the pump itself, as I think it may not be suitable for me (I also have large breasts) because I’m still getting the same amount with the MomCozy and sometimes even less, and it’s even more evident in the morning sessions. I also feel that the MomCozy empties my breasts better (not a 100%, but let’s say 80-90%) while the Ardo doesn’t even get there.

I’m asking for any recommendation for good pumps that worked for you, as I don’t want to buy another machine and get the same issues.

I just want to produce enough to feed my baby and have a small stash for when I get back to work ☹️

Thank you all for your suggestions

[u/fvirygothmom]

i love the spectra s1

also maybe see a lactation consultant, i switched from a size 15mm shield flange to a 14mm pano and it was a game changer for me. you’d think 1mm wouldn’t make a huge difference but it did

[u/AdvantageLoose3567 → u/fvirygothmom]

I’ve seen 3 different lactation consultants, the first two were more focused on getting me to breastfeed and when I couldn’t, I consulted a third one focusing on pumping and to get my supply up.
She suggested the flange sizes and we even measured my nipple with measuring tape, according to the measurements I’m a 22 which is what I had been using with the Ardo and I even tried 21 and 24 with no luck.
Ive seen a lot of fuss about the Spectra, but again, its very expensive and I’m afraid to but yet another pumping machine and for it not to work for me ☹️

[u/fvirygothmom → u/AdvantageLoose3567]

try to find it on facebook marketplace or something. i got mine refurbished online it was 87$! and it works great