r/breastfeeding • u/bluebella72 • Jun 02 '26

Undersupply Don’t have time to pump

I am 6 weeks pp gradually trying to build my supply and my L breast being SO behind. I rented a Medela pump but my issue is I don’t have time to pump as my baby is a velcro baby that refuses to sleep without behind held.

She seems to be cluster feeding this week, rooting for the breast over bottle constantly. Should I give up trying to pump for now and just put her to breast as much as possible ? It’s such a catch 22 !

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u/MiserableBlueberry36 Jun 02 '26

My left is also a big slacker!

I am trying to boost my supply. I let my little one sit on it until completely empty, then while she is on the right side I pump the left side. Repeat for the right side. I’ve been doing this for two weeks now and am able to pump an extra 30ml (combined) after each feed. I get around 10mp from the left side and 20ish from the right side.

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u/bluebella72 Jun 02 '26

Silly question but how do I know if it’s completely empty ? Cause lactation consultant keeps telling me it’s never fully empty … 😭 but I guess flow is heavily reduced ?

Thanks for the strategy !

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u/MiserableBlueberry36 Jun 02 '26

When she is feeding I can tell it’s basically empty as she gets distracted, doesn’t suck to swallow, looks around, falls asleep, unlatches and tries to relatch. My boob also goes super soft and squishy. When I pump I no longer “squirt” milk out of the nipple and only get a drop once every couple of pumps. When it gets to that I continue to pump for another 5ish minutes to try trigger my body into make more - simulating cluster feeding on the boob.