| expressing, help needed
 
 Printed From: OHbaby!
 Category:  Have A Baby?
 Forum Name:  First baby? Second or more?
 Forum Description:  Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
 URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27723
 Printed Date: 31 October 2025 at 3:28am
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 Topic: expressing, help needed
 Posted By: sarahm
 Subject: expressing, help needed
 Date Posted: 28 July 2009 at 8:56am
 
 
        
          | Due to early feeding problems etc, I have expressed every day since Floyd was born  (he now wont b/f so I express to give him EBM) Up until yesterday I have used an avent manual pump (yep crazy I know)  Yesterday I tried a medela swing pump, I have no idea why but I just didnt seem to be able to empty my breast, last night I only got 20mls off using the swing for half an hour, got my old trusty hand pump out and got another 60mls in less than ten minutes.
 
 Is it just my (.) (.) getting used to a differnt type of pump, do I need a bigger funnel (I'm a 14 DD/E) or am I doing something wrong? Any advice would be great!!
 
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 Replies:
 Posted By: cuppatea
 Date Posted: 28 July 2009 at 9:20am
 
 
        
          | The avent manual pump is great, I use to have one of those. 
 I bought a medela manual pump and I had real trouble getting anything out with that, but I've used the double and now have a swing (my double broke
  ) and both seem fine. Strangely though the first time I used the swing I had trouble getting a letdown but have it all sussed now. You might need to play around with the + - till you get the right suction out of it for you. 
 If that doesn't work perhaps you could try using the swing on one side and the manual on the other to help get the let down.
 
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 Posted By: Stogglebox
 Date Posted: 31 July 2009 at 2:49pm
 
 
        
          | It shouldn't be a problem with the pump.... I have been back at work for 7 weeks now, expressing every morning with a Medela double electric. It works well, but ONLY if I get a letdown or two! If I have a bad day then I only get 20ml or so on each breast. So perhaps the problem is not the pump but whether you are relaxed enough or not to get the letdown - then you just need the pump to help it out. Have you tried massaging your breasts and doing a hand-expressing motion before actually putting the pump on? That helps me.... And reading a random magazine to relax and think about other stuff (with a photo of my baby handy if I need it). 
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 Mother of Natsumi Sarah born on 23 January 2009
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 Posted By: sarahm
 Date Posted: 31 July 2009 at 3:09pm
 
 
        
          | It seems to be working fine now so no idea what I'm doing differently! 
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