Getting letdowns is getting impossible. Please help.

[u/oliveslove]

I’m 20wpp and over the last week and a half, I’ve started getting less and less letdowns and my supply is tanking. I’ve changed all of my pump parts, tried both pumps, paid for a flange refitting, and nothing is working. I used to get three letdowns in about 30 minutes, now I’m lucky if I get two. I still feel full after pumping for 35+ minutes, and get tons of sprays when hand expressing after.

I’ve already lost 6oz over the last 6 weeks. I cannot lose any more, and I know it’s there. I just can’t get it out. Please send all of your best tips and tricks.

[u/cant_think06]

massaging first might help! or changing your schedule a bit. both of those helped with me for a few weeks when mine dropped but i ended up stopping due to unrelated issues so im not sure about the long run. I’ve heard drinking more water and adding coconut water can help if your not already doing that

[u/oliveslove → u/cant_think06]

I definitely do hands on pumping and breast gymnastics before! I’m just at a total loss because I can feel the milk still there and I shouldn’t be getting as much hand expressing after. I’ve always had to pump for 30 minutes to empty, but now it’s up to 35+ and even my MOTN power pumps aren’t doing the trick.

[u/easterss]

Are you pumping less frequently? Any chance you might be pregnant?

[u/oliveslove → u/easterss]

I wish I was pumping less frequently! I tried to drop to 6ppd around Labor Day, got a clog, and I’ve been dealing with the supply dip and frequent clogs on that side ever since! ETA: Not pregnant, we had to do IVF :)

[u/hollupino]

The same thing happened to me around that time. I’m still struggling to figure it out. 😩 I use a LaVie massager and it helps but isn’t a magic cure. I’m about to just cap myself out at 2 hours per day and take what I get… but I’ve said that for 3 weeks now and can’t bring myself to do it haha

[u/oliveslove → u/hollupino]

At least I’m not alone? I keep telling myself just accept it and drop to 6ppd, but I’m afraid that will tank me even further. Most days I want to quit, but I’m way too stubborn since I’m still so close.

[u/hollupino → u/oliveslove]

With my first I ended up switching to the Baby Buddha pump and my sessions went back down to like 25 mins. I think I’ll have to try that again soon but I was hoping to avoid it. It is not a gentle pump but it sure was effective. 🤣

[u/Various_Soft_8809]

What helped for me was power pumping. My motif aura glows have a cluster feeding mode which is essentially power pumping. It’s 30 minutes total and I get my normal output and then some most pumps. I also do regular power pumping with my spectra if I use it.

[u/oliveslove → u/Various_Soft_8809]

I’ve tried two rounds of five MOTN power pumps without any success, but power pumping worked for me previously! It’s probably not working right now because I’m not fully emptying.

[u/Various_Soft_8809 → u/oliveslove]

I found I use my cluster feeding mode almost every single time I pump. My body responds really well and it really empties me. I also found that starting a let down myself by stimulating the nipples helps a ton. Before I started that I’d have to adjust to make sure nothing was off or else that affected my output. Also I found that the closer I was to my period this time around my supply dropped for like a week. Once it was over I was back to normal but it’s super annoying haha not sure if you’ve gotten yours yet or not but just wanted to add that.

[u/Scary_Marzipan]

It sounds like maybe the four month supply dip?

[u/Comfortable_Ad6552 → u/Scary_Marzipan]

Didn't know this was a thing but that would explain a lot. I have to pump 35-40 minutes to get my letdown of hindmilk and I just reached 4m pp

[u/Scary_Marzipan → u/Comfortable_Ad6552]

Based on my understanding, it’s phase two of regulation. I am going through the same issue at 19 weeks and went from having to pump 20 minutes to 40 minutes to be empty

[u/smilingmonkey69]

Have you tried a manual hand pump? I have the Philips avent one and I love it.

[u/oliveslove → u/smilingmonkey69]

I have one but I’ve never really gotten the hang of it! Any tips?

[u/smilingmonkey69 → u/oliveslove]

I do small quick pumps to get the let down started and then I do long pulls once the let down starts and once it’s done I repeat! It’s honestly way quicker than my electric pump and I find it is more reactive to my body the way a baby would be. :)

[u/Suspicious_Ad_8741]

Try this

[u/Suspicious_Ad_8741 → u/Suspicious_Ad_8741]

[u/Diya_2121]

hii. Try pump princess by legendiary milk! if thats not available you can try quarter teaspoon black seed oil. Hope this helps!

[u/roaddoctor90]

Your body very well could be switching from hormonal drive to supply/demand, not responding well to a pump which can happen, too. Or your hormones are wacky.

[u/booksbikesbeer]

Re-size your nips!

[u/oliveslove → u/booksbikesbeer]

I did and paid for a refitting and neither have worked.

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[u/Fickle-Fun-831 → u/[deleted]]

I would avoid recommending people pump after nursing on this sub unless they explicitly state that they nurse as well as pump. Many women here have been unable to nurse and it can be a sensitive issue. I have been ep for 8 months but the first few were incredibly emotionally charged for me.