However, a reduction in milk supply during pumping or breasts that do not respond to pumping may be due to mechanical issues with the pump or the mother's physiological, hormonal, behavioural, or emotional factors. Wrong flange size, poor suction strength, hormonal shifts, stress, dehydration, breast engorgement, or clogged ducts may result in poor milk letdown.
How Pumping Works
There are two types of pumps: Manual and Electric pumps.A manual breast pump works through manual hand compression without relying on electricity. You have to press and squeeze the pump handle to express the milk in the storage tank. When pumping, the suction will start to get the milk. To replicate the natural infant sucking pattern, aim for 100-120 cycles per minute for let down. Start with short and quick pumps for letdown and gradually shorten the expression while keeping it deep to sufficiently remove milk. Before pumping, gently massaging the breast improves milk flow and ejection.
Electric pumps are powered by batteries or charging options, which makes pumping effortless. You can adjust suction strength and cycle speed to mimic an infant's natural sucking pattern. The flange fits over the nipple and areola, and the motor creates suction and pressure to trigger milk flow. Once the milk letdown starts, the pump sucks deeply to remove milk.
Hormones and Pumping
Prolactin and oxytocin are the main hormones involved in milk production and let-down. They work in a positive feedback loop, including sucking, pumping, and warm compression.- Prolactin is released during stimulation and signals the body to produce milk. Pumping, skin-to-skin contact, and warm compression stimulate prolactin.
- Oxytocin stimulates let-down and releases the stored milk. When mothers are stressed, distracted, or in pain, oxytocin may get blocked, reducing milk ejection.
Why the Breast Pump is not Working
If milk production has dropped, the issue is not with the pump. However, if the breast feels full and the infant nurses well while breastfeeding, but the pump is not extracting well, then there are chances of mechanical issues in the pump.In most cases, you can troubleshoot this at home. Here are a few common reasons for this issue.
- The valve is not in place. If the valve is mispositioned, misaligned, not properly seated, or detached, the suction becomes irregular.
- The pump is not assembled properly. Flanges, connections, membranes, valves, tubing, and bottle attachments should be assembled properly.
- Water is stuck inside the pump. The tubing should be completely dry. If moisture is present inside the tube, it will affect the suction strength.
- Wet filters expand and block the vacuum pathway. Cleaning and completely drying the pump prevents wet filters.
- The setting suction strength is too low. Suction should be intense and mimic a baby's natural sucking pattern. Low suction results in delayed milk flow and long pumping sessions.
- Blocked valves and flanges. Milk residues and fat deposits accumulate in valves and membranes, blocking the flanges. This restricts airflow and reduces suction strength.
- Damaged or torn valves and membrane. Valves and membranes stretch and damage faster than expected. Even a tiny damage impairs suction strength and milk flow.
- Wrong flange size. A flange that is too small compresses the nipple, reducing blood circulation. A large flange causes swelling and pain.
- Poor battery. Portable and electric pumps operate on batteries. Low battery hinders performance.
What do you do if no milk comes out when pumping?
Even if your milk supply is great, sometimes the breast won't respond to the pump anymore. For starters, check the section above to see if your pump has any of the problems mentioned. Try troubleshooting it. If your pump is all good, there might be a problem, such as you not feeling let down. It might also mean you are still not comfortable with pumping.- Mentally prepare yourself before pumping by deep breathing, stretching, and meditation to release oxytocin.
- Get comfortable with pumping. Sit in a relaxed position that supports the back, neck and arms.
- Go to your comfortable private space. Create a space specifically for feeding and pumping. Add baby pictures, toys, and dim lighting to minimise distractions and support successful pumping.
- Make sure you assemble the pump properly. Read the instructions manual before assembling
- Look for any condensation or liquid in the components. Properly clean and completely dry the tubing and connectors before pumping.
- Make sure the flange is the right size. A flange too large or too small can cause discomfort. Choose a size that fits each breast perfectly.
- Keep the suction level normal (neither too high nor too low). Start with a comfortable, moderate level and gradually increase.
- Take a warm shower or warm compress before pumping. Warm compression softens breast tissue and encourages milk flow, loosens milk ducts and relaxes the chest muscles.
As babies grow and enter the weaning phase, mothers might choose to pump more than breastfeeding. Mothers also return to work once the baby grows. Pumping naturally becomes their preferred way to feed their baby. As babies grow, they also start biting, pinching, and twiddling the nipple, which can cause pain and discomfort for the mother while feeding. Pumping helps save mothers from baby twiddling.
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FAQs on Why Are Breasts Not Responding To The Pump anymore
- Do you keep pumping if nothing is coming out?
If milk doesn't flow while pumping, continue pumping to stimulate the body to produce and supply milk. This is called dry pumping or power pumping. When you keep pumping after milk stops flowing, it sends signals to produce more milk, which helps increase overall milk supply. - What is the sock trick for pumping?
While pumping, if the expressed milk output is too low, it can be stressful for the mother, which in turn can impair milk production and supply. To avoid this and eventually increase milk supply, covering the bottle with a sock helps relax the mother and foster milk supply.
