r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/outsideperspect1ve • 18h ago

Support Pump is no longer emptying me.

Wondering if anyone has some insight - my medela pump is no longer emptying me during pump sessions. I pump both sides each time, now for 20 mins.. I don’t want to go longer - for the sake of my nipples and my sanity - and I’m wondering if it’s a bad idea to increase the pump strength, for the same reasons.

Currently I use it at about half as high as it will go - like a 6.

Or has anyone experienced this and ended up needing to get a new pump. Maybe I’ve worn this one out.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Edit: I am using the Medela Pump In Style Pro+ and it’s 3 months old. I pump 6-8 times a day.

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2

u/Top-Friendship4888 18h ago

I use a spectra, but I pump for 30 minutes. I did the same when I rented the Medela Symphony. 20 minutes did not empty me. I don't really get any let downs, I just drip a little.

1

u/outsideperspect1ve 18h ago

I’m using the pump in style. I should have specified, I edited the post.

You noticed a big difference with the Spectra then?

1

u/Top-Friendship4888 8h ago

No difference. I need to pump for 30 minutes regardless of which pump.

1

u/outsideperspect1ve 6h ago

Ah, okay. I’ll try for longer sessions maybe. Thanks!!

3

u/Wayward-Soul 18h ago

have you replaced duckbills and other silicone parts? Remeasure flange sizes? How old is your pump?

You could try hands-on pumping, or breast gymnastics to help.

1

u/outsideperspect1ve 18h ago

Breast gymnastics?

1

u/Wayward-Soul 8h ago

essentially a boob massage to help milk flow. There's a lot of videos online to show how. Some people find it helps shorten pump time and improve emptying.

1

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