Ladies, I need help. I have a Medela freestyle and I'm trying to pump milk for one of the first times. My breasts are…

Make sure you’re using the correct size flange for your nipples. There are different sizes & using the correct one will help get more out at a time. I also second the suggestion of hand expressing for some relief. If my breasts were overly full to the point of feeling hard then it was harder to pump. Express some milk then try again. Do you have a manual pump? Some ladies find they can get more using a manual pump. Double check to make sure everything is in place securely. Sometimes if i didn’t make sure those little white flap parts were pushed in all the way the pump wouldn’t pull enough milk.

@sashalicious with all this help I can't see why not!

@laniejay thank you so much for sharing that. I mentioned to another mother on here that bb was so invaluable. I was literally screenshoting things for days during my pregnancy and I go back and read them now. Best education for a new Mom. And I'm glad to have found that same experience here.

@bebe- omg. Thank you for all of this!!!! I've been taking pictures of all of the information. I'm soooo grateful!

@mokai08, I had a rough start to my breastfeeding journey with my youngest. For some it is very easy, for others not so much. With the help of baby bump (which many of the ladies are here) and an LC- I managed to ebf for 15 months. If you’re determined, it’ll happen. Don’t give up! Make sure you’re pumping any time you give him formula to keep your supply up.

@laniejay I will definitely look into all you suggested

Thank you. I've definitely increased his feedings. Just giving my bleeding nipples a 24 hour break. We checked for tongue tie. He has a great latch. But does get used to the bottle feeding quickly. He doesn't want to open his mouth wide any more. Lol

Hand express definitely. Massage your breasts toward the nipple first. Make an appt with an IBCLC to ensure you flanges are the correct size, the latch is correct and there’s no tie. Just as an FYI- you don’t have to use formula with jaundice. Just keep feeding. The more he eats, the more he poops and gets rid of it. When you do bottle him, be sure to pace feed, you don’t want to overfeed him and get him used to the bottle.

@mokai08 np! Sorry I wasn't more help. But this is all I could think of to assist you 🤗 I hope it all works out.

@sashalicious thank you. I was Thinking of that.

Hey love, if possible, try getting an apt with a lactation consultant. They're amazing with helping you to start breastfeeding and with pumping tips! I wanted to breast feed my first son so bad, and had a hard time switching him from formula and bottles to breast. But with a lactation advice and help it was possible.

@sofie321 thank you. I will be taking you up on your offer. That's my goal exactly and I don't want to give up. 😳😥😀

That being said I will try the nipple shield again tomorrow

@sofie321 I got a nipple shield. He doesn't like how tall they are. He's pretty sometimish with it so far.

@leslyev92 I'm gonna try again here in about three hours. I'm gonna jump in the shower as u said and express some for relief before pumping. Thanks for your tip.

Maybe get a nipple shield for the time being, if you're still giving hin the breast...some swear by them...they were too tricky for me esp cuz she was so fussy and moving and squirming/colick at feedings.

I agree with pp, check to see if the pieces are pushed in as well as the tubes securely in place...give it a minute or two and it should start flowing. I used to squeeze my boob to help get things moving (and it would be painful/yet a great relief). I exclusively pumped for 6 months with my daughter. You're doing an amazing job. Keep it up and don't give up. Please let me know if I can answer any questions....I truly understand your worry and frustration...I was there!! It's gonna work out, mama!!

I feel like manual pumping would hurt, but again so does the electronic one. I haven’t pumped yet but expressing milk from my boobs has helped me a lot. Usually I jump in a hot shower, I’ll stay there letting the warm water fall on my boobs and I’ll express. It gets better with time, at first it felt like nothing was coming out. Now I am able to express a good amount! Massaging it is also a big help, especially where the boobs get really tight balls in them.

@ek620 thank you for your tips. I will check those things now. Manual pumping maybe better.

@rachelleclister thank you. I will try.

Make sure you’re using the correct size flange for your nipples. There are different sizes & using the correct one will help get more out at a time. I also second the suggestion of hand expressing for some relief. If my breasts were overly full to the point of feeling hard then it was harder to pump. Express some milk then try again. Do you have a manual pump? Some ladies find they can get more using a manual pump. Double check to make sure everything is in place securely. Sometimes if i didn’t make sure those little white flap parts were pushed in all the way the pump wouldn’t pull enough milk.

I’ve heard as well as being told that’s it’s not good to pump so early because it can create an oversupply. Maybe try hand expression to release the milk. After. A hot compress and a massage and the use hand expression techniques would prolly help 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️