Kim,
Hello. I am a little confused. You took your last bcp and then it sounds like you waited quite a few days before you started pumping?
Are you taking the blessed thistle and fenugreek together? are you eating oatmeal at least 3x a week? Also, do not forget, many women do not see alot of results with pumping but when the baby is at the breast they have a good milk supply. I am not familiar with the Ameda pumps, I thought the PIS and Whittlestone were the most rec. pumps for inducing lactation. Is it a problem with letdown? You could try a heating pad/soothies prior to pumping, also Rescue Remedy helps relax and helps with letdown. I pumped for 5 weeks with domperidone and only saw drops. I was clamping down d/t nipple vasospasms. Do you have any signs of Raynauds(nipples changing color,,,white, red, etc,,while pumping and after,,painful nipples etc...?)
I am sure Lenore can offer some advice also. Keep trying, I have heard some womens milk can take longer than others to come in. Please keep up posted on your progress.
Take care,
Cathy

I am still on the protocol myself, so I don't have experience yet, but I know the water is a big one. Drink as much water as you can possibly stand. Are you taking fenugreek and blessed thistle? And try to have oatmeal for breakfast at least 3 times a week.
And the pumping even for 5 minutes is a good suggestion. It isn't the length of time, necessarily, for the pumping sessions. It's the number of pumping sessions. So even if you are able to pump 15 minutes for only a few sessions, try to add a couple sessions. Even if you are just hand expressing in the bathroom at work.
Sorry I don't have more advice for you. Just don't give up. DawnL

Cathy,

Could you explan Raynauds a little more to me because after i am done pumping i do have a lot of burning and pain in my nipples. I have used a warming pad first but this did not make a big difference in the milk. My nipples go white after each pumping and i figured that was normal. At this point i do not know what is normal <img src="http://www.asklenore.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />
Thanks Kim

HI Kim,
Welcome welcome!!

Well, it's pretty clear to me what's going on. Unformutaly the Ameda Elite is not a good pump. Many ladies have complained about it. It's promoted as "hospital grade" but really and truly it's an old fashioned pump. This thing about "hospital grade" is completely overrated. You need a double electic pump that has a strong enough motor so that it doesn't fall apart and at the same time, is not going to hurt you. You would be much better off with the Medela Pump in Style. Some ladies like the Whittlestone because of the comfort but it's VERY expensive and frankly I don't see the value for the $$$

As for Raynaud's, this is usually caused by nipple trauma or yeast infection. Since you're pumping, the odds are that it's not thrush but rather nipple trauma that is causing the pain and the blanching. The suction is probably too high. Change pumps first before you treat for Raynauds.

If you bought your Ameda you can sell it on ebay and get the Pump in Style and if you rented it, do yourself a favor and exchange it for the Pump in Style. You will notice a big difference. It would be a crying shame for you to do 5 months on the protocol only to be slam dunked by a crappy pump. If you're getting a tablespoon per day with the Ameda you can look forward to ounces with the Pump in Style but move quickly because the longer you delay, the more you run the risk of having all your hard work be for nothing. You need to empty your breasts frequently in order to build your milk supply.

I agree with drinking water and eating oatmeal but take care to drink to "thirst"...don't drown yourself because too much water can actually work against you. The rule of thumb is about 6-8 glasses per day.

Hang in there honey. You're almost there.
Esther

kim,
LLL has many good articles on Raynauds on their website. It is found alot of times in the hands and feet, but also can be found in the nipples, especially when they are being compressed like with a pump. Poor circulation is often the culprit, hx of smoking, diabetes etc....the all natural tx is evening primrose oil, fish oil, calcium and magnesium. The article tells you the dosages. Aerobic excersise also helps to enhance circulation. Do you notice if you are in the frozen foods section of the supermarket that your nipples really really hurt? These are the kinds of things that were happening to me. You could always go to a MD and check for yeast etc,,and be r/o'd out for Raynauds also. If the all natural tx does not work, your MD can prescribe a medication called Nifedipine. For many women, this works in about 6 weeks of use and their Raynauds never comes back. If switching pumps does not help, I would check with LLL and a MD. Keep up with the domperidone, herbs, oatmeal etc...and let us know how it goes. Hope this helps,,,take care,
Cathy

I am a 21 year old single mother looking for a breastpump to buy that doesnt cost alot of money if there are any mothers who have breastpumps to sell at cost please respond my son was 7 weeks preemie and i cannot afford to rent one. thank you

try ebay.. they have pumps that can be pretty cheap.