Slow Letdown When Pumping

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else had this problem? Sometimes it takes a half an hour or even an hour for my milk to let down when I pump. I get a few drops in the beginning and then nothing. Eventually I'll start to feel a tingle and then the milk will flow quickly. Any advice on how to speed up the process? (By the way, it happens almost instantly when I'm feeding DD directly.)

[Anonymous]

How long have you been pumping for? When do you pump (right after Bfing, in the middle of the night, at the end of the day?).

Each mom is different, but for me, I pump in the "in between" times to get my supply going and stock up. So if DD nursed at 2pm, I'll pump at 4 pm. DD is still sleeping, but when she awakes she'll either nurse or DH will giver one of the bottles of the expressed milk (the convience of pumping ). I get plenty of milk this way since it allows my body time to produce milk and actually end up having two milk let downs. One at about the 3 minute mark, the other at about the 21 minute mark.
...that is just me. Hopefully, this helps...good luck

[Anonymous]

If you have a standard PIS (not advanced) try starting out the pump on max reps min suction. After you feel a little tingle, push it up to max suction, then when you get let down, turn it down to whatever reps works best for you (I do minimum). This is closer to how your baby nurses, and closer to how the advanced pumps work. I do this and get let down pretty immediately.

HTH

[Anonymous]

OP here -- thanks for the advice! Please keep it coming!!

Here's the background: I've been pumping once or twice a day for about two months now, and the letdown problem only started in the last few weeks. I tend to pump first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but not in between. Sounds like I should start trying it between feedings. And I'm especially intrigued by the advice about using the different PIS settings. I always just pump on maximum suction, low frequency. Will definitely try to change it up and see what happens.

Thanks again. More advice, anyone?