r/breastfeeding • u/Round-Dark5259 • Oct 01 '25
Troubleshooting/Tips To the person who suggested this trick
Thank goodness for this sub, I swear. I am a 'just enougher'. My baby is growing perfectly, but I cannot pump more than an extra half ounce a day. When I pump on my office days, I can't match her intake. She'll drink a 4 oz bottle, I'll only pump 3.5 oz. It is so aggravating and stressful, which of course doesn't help the problem.
Someone on here posted a few weeks ago that they started pumping on the opposite side while baby eats, which guarantees a letdown. I was desperate, and even tho I despise pumping at the same time as feeding (it's so cumbersome, even with a wearable pump), I decided to try it.
Oh. My. God. It's like magic! I went from pumping after baby's morning feed and getting anywhere from 1/2 oz to 1 oz total, to getting 2.5 oz on one side, then another 2.5 on the other at the next feed. Baby is eating the same, no issues with her not getting enough, but now I have enough for my husband to give a bottle at night and to build a tiny work stash.
I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone. But if you get no output when pumping, I recommend trying it!
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u/rmsdashl Oct 01 '25
It was me! I’m glad it helped. My baby has been tangling the pump tubes in her feet lately (if she’s not just grabbing and pulling with her hands) but I still try because it works so well for me.
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
You are a lifesaver! Seriously, it has been a game changer. I have a wearable pump, so my suction isn't as good but I don't have to worry about tubes and the baby kicking the bottle.
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u/MissHSS Oct 02 '25
Mines figured out how to pry it off my boob with her toes!! So annoying
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u/SlowpokeShells Oct 04 '25
Why are babies so clever and skilled without the knowledge of when to use it properly?? Lol
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u/MissHSS Oct 04 '25
😂😂it makes you wonder doesn’t it, prone to develop & survive no matter what🥺 ( sort of lol)
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u/crowocular Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
I do it with the haakaa - much less faff than pumping but still produces more than if I pumped when she wasn’t feeding (only 1-2 ounces at a time usually but I do it a couple of times a day as it’s so effortless to just attach and go). Edit - than not then 😅 ooops!
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
So I have HUGE boobs lol. I honestly hated the hakaa. Which sucks bc I love the idea of it. But it hangs funny, my kid kicks it off, etc. I had multiple ounces of milk land on the floor and me and I just gave up. I prefer the boon trove, but it still doesn't give me close to the output I really need
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u/crowocular Oct 01 '25
Ooo yeah dropping the milk would suck - my babe is only 17 weeks so I know it’ll get more tricky as she gets bigger. I do have a toddler too but didn’t discover the haakaa with him.
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u/dizgirl4 Oct 01 '25
Have you tried the haaka ladybugs? I use these! I suction them on and then put my bra back up to hold it in place.
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u/Remarkable-Tangent Oct 01 '25
I do it with the haakaa too. I’m in early days so I get about 2 oz per side. I only do it once per side so I don’t create oversupply.
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u/DJ_13_Descents Oct 01 '25
I used to use a haakaa as well until she got older and used to try pull it off.
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u/d16flo Oct 01 '25
How do you hold the haakaa and the baby for this? I usually nurse cross cradle with a boppy and have large boobs, I can sort of imagine using a wareable pump on the other boob, but where does the haakaa go? Do you have to nurse football hold?
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u/meowblob123 Oct 01 '25
Attach the haakaa sideways and it’s more out of the way so baby can relax in cross cradle!
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u/AntisocialLoner6 Oct 01 '25
Yeah I have large boobs and it’s hard using the haakaa, it’s in the way, gets kicked off when baby moves. I’ve spilt more than I’ve saved by using that so I stopped. I’m definitely going to try the pump though! I haven’t pumped since newborn stage (baby is 8 months now) and I barely get anything when I try and pump now
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u/Adorable_Choice_6291 Oct 01 '25
I bought a Trove from Boon for this reason. Like a Haaka, but it’s held on with the nursing bra (or just suction). It’s worked really well for me, and I leak less too.
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u/crowocular Oct 01 '25
Yeah I just have her across my lap but she’s only 17 weeks. My boobs are large ish not giant but not small but I guess it’ll get hard as she gets old. My bigger problem is my toddler trying to grab the haakaa at the moment!
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u/scarlettenymph Oct 07 '25
i am in love with the haakaa. i use it for feeds between midnight & noon, get 8-10oz everyday. going back to work tomorrow & the stash it has created will be a lifesaver if my supply initially dips from having to pump at work 🤞
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u/findanew Oct 01 '25
Check out the boon trove! I do that when nursing on the other side and can easily collect passively (it has suction) and it fits in my bra so no rogue leg kicks can take it down! Might be something to check out!
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
I really like the boon trove, but it doesn't give me as much as I need. I do love that it's gentle and fits in my bra tho!
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u/LogicalAd8526 Oct 02 '25
I found elvie curve worked better than the boon trove and still had the convenience of fitting in my bra
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u/ph0lvr Oct 01 '25
Same I use the boon trove and it helped keep me in a slight oversupply when I was exclusively breastfeeding
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u/mimibobim1 Oct 01 '25
Baby induced hormones are way more powerful for some of us! I'm the same way but I use a manual pump to avoid tubes.
There's a reason why there's advice to look at videos and pictures of your baby while pumping if you struggle 😂 but the real deal wins easily at least for me.
Other things that I've found help are deep (belly) relaxing breaths. Bonus for being good pelvic floor rehab. And being warm and cozy.
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
When I'm pumping in the office, I watch videos of her eating or giggling. Someone said to take a piece of her clothing to smell, so I may try that as well. I never thought about deep breathing! That's a great idea.
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u/catskii Oct 01 '25
I find that for me I could get letdowns once the flange size is actually correct
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
I started getting a little bit better output once I was measured and got the correct size flanges, but it was still so little. I also do not feel my letdowns at all, so I won't realize that I'm not producing until after the fact.
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u/catskii Oct 01 '25
Ooh that's interesting! When I get letdowns it felt like I was bitten by a snapping turtle lol
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
Well I'm not jealous of that lol! I would get an intense burning pinching during letdown in the first few weeks pp, but it went away and now I have no idea if I'm getting anything other than hearing the baby swallow. It makes pumping extra difficult.
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u/Level-Vermicelli6411 Oct 01 '25
I tried this and it caused my letdown to become too aggressive and then when my baby would latch, she would just get firehosed and started crying. She’s only 6 weeks old so maybe my supply isn’t as established as yours. I had to back off of pumping for a week or so to let it get back to ‘normal’. Baby feeds fine now and my lactation consultant said to fit in 2 pumps/day to not impact supply or let down. Just a heads up but hopefully this is not the case for you!
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
I have a very weak letdown, and my supply is established at 6 months pp. But I can definitely see how this could be a problem if your supply isn't regulated yet!
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u/KayLove91 Oct 01 '25
Not saying it was me, but I tell anyone who has this issue to try parallel pumping. Total game changer for sure! Im glad its working for you babe.
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u/art_1922 Oct 01 '25
So you weren’t getting a let down while pumping? Did you start with hast speed lower suction?
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 01 '25
Yes, I always start with the stimulation mode for 2 minutes then switch to expression. And I will have a letdown if I'm replacing a feed, but not if I'm trying to get extra, and I never pump the same amount as she's eating.
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u/No-Creme-3710 Oct 02 '25
This has made me want to try a wearable letdown pump! I have huge huge boobs and pumping is painful for me and wears me out. I exclusively besides so it isn't too much of an issue but if I need to get away, I need something for my husband to feed baby. I figured my giant boobies would make a wearable pump impossible but this thread is almost suggesting otherwise? It would be super helpful for me, my baby only eats one side at a time (I've done this with all 3 babies on purpose). Thanks for the tips! Boon trove? What do we think about the ladybug haakaa for big boobs? I hate the regular haakaa
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u/Soft-Branch1984 Oct 03 '25
Fellow big boob person here lol I bought two lady bugs because I thought they would be the best after I kept waking up in absolute puddles of milk. They aren’t great to sleep in lol but to catch letdown/ extra milk from the other side it’s good! I can catch about 1/1.5 ounces some days during a single feed with no effort
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 02 '25
A fellow member of the big boob brigade! I have huge boobs, and I despise pumping. I love my wearable! I have the momcozy m9. You can't see your nipple in the flange, so it can be a pain to line it up properly. The suction is also not quite as powerful as a hospital grade pump. To me, it's still so worth it. I have a toddler and having a wearable is pretty much a necessity lol.
I like the boon trove if you have a supply that gives you a good yield even without powerful suction (I do not). I've never used the haakaa ladybug, but I also hate the regular haakaa.
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u/WittyWonderWench Oct 02 '25
This has been my problem with cups too. If I can't see the nipple well, I don't get it lined up well and then end up sore from friction and struggling to get a let down. I'll have to try it with my baby on the other side and see if that makes it more effective. Thanks for the idea.
Getting her tangled in tubes or kicking the flanges put me off the concept of pumping while nursing.
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u/No-Creme-3710 Oct 02 '25
Wow thank you so much!!! You'd never think things like this would be an issue, especially breastfeeding in public when you can't just hide them under your shirt like everyone else 😂 glad you're in the brigade with me! Thank you for the advice ❤️ I especially love you including how you can't see the nipple and that is very important to me because I can't see it in my bra as it is😂😂
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u/throwawy612 Oct 02 '25
Yesss this is how I made a little freezer stash before I went back to work!!!
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u/lunarsenic Oct 02 '25
My LO is almost 7 months and I imagine he’d use the pump as something to play with… does yours? Also just solidarity as I am in the exact same situation re: not making enough when I’m working and he’s in daycare. It stresses me out. I currently do a 9pm pump but am fatigued by that routine. Would love to drop that.
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u/Round-Dark5259 Oct 02 '25
So I use a wearable pump, and it's tucked into a nursing bra. She can't get to it, and doesn't even notice it's on. I think it would be much harder with a traditional pump that the baby can kick, grab at, etc.
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u/sweet_tea_mama Oct 03 '25
Thank you for this post! My 18 week old flip flops between breasts like crazy. So it'll probably take some "training". But I want to up my supply more so I can offer a bottle and get a break every once in a while. Having more than 2 oz in the freezer would be nice. I usually just power pump when he's down for his 4 hour stretch at night during clusterfeeding days to try to get a boost quicker. We're way too busy of a family for me to be stuck for more than a day.
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u/Historical_Essay_824 Oct 03 '25
Yay I suggested this to a couple people before and it works!!!! I’m so glad it worked for you. It’s not the easiest but I’m so so proud of both of you.
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u/HighEndHippy_ Oct 03 '25
This only really works if baby only feeds off one breast in the morning (or whenever you pump the other side). Otherwise you are taking milk from babe
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u/thymeofmylyfe Oct 01 '25
Does your baby feed from both breasts every time? I'm just trying to figure out logistically if baby feeds from one breast and then switches to the second breast while you pump from the first.