EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

What is the difference between the speed and the vaccuum adjustments? I don't see this in the directions? for first time use which setting do you suggest for each? TIA@!

ETA: Ok so I just pumped for 15 min on one side at lowest settings for both and I got SUCH little milk that it is now freaking me out that my little guy is starving. I got less than an inch worth in the bottle you pump into. My little guy was born 5 days ago. Is this something I should be concerned about? Usually he only nurses for about 20-25 min on one side (and doesn't take the other) every two hours.
THANKS SO MUCH!

Message edited 9/3/2007 12:17:36 PM.

Re: Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

How fast the pump goes & the level of suction you're getting.

Start out low. Eventually you can increase the amount. After I was used to it, I was pumping on full capacity - quick & strong to get done with it.

Re: Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Re: Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Yup , 1 & - on both settings. As you can tolerate it, you can move it up settings.

Re: Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Also-- don't pump for too long when you start out. Just do it for 10 minutes. You want your breasts to get used to it.

I pump 3xs a day at work right now. I still keep the vacuum pretty low and the speed now on high.

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Thanks so much ladies - edited with another q- also, i should add i didn't do it until the milk stopped just for 15 min flat. TIA

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Right now you're milk supply is building up. In the beginning they eat a little, but often (every 2-3 hours).

As long as he's going through diapers, he's getting enough. If you can't tell because the diaper is too absorbent, you can put a tissue in his diaper (it will fall apart but you'll be able to tell).

Did you pump after you fed him?

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

I'm not sure how much you're supposed to get since everyone is different but your milk doesn't come in too heavy in the very beginning anyway...
Also, I EBF DD for almost 11 months and hardly ever got anything when I pumped... Not sure why...

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Posted by itsbabytime

What is the difference between the speed and the vaccuum adjustments? I don't see this in the directions? for first time use which setting do you suggest for each? TIA@!

ETA: Ok so I just pumped for 15 min on one side at lowest settings for both and I got SUCH little milk that it is now freaking me out that my little guy is starving. I got less than an inch worth in the bottle you pump into. My little guy was born 5 days ago. Is this something I should be concerned about? Usually he only nurses for about 20-25 min on one side (and doesn't take the other) every two hours.
THANKS SO MUCH!

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

for my first - at 10 days I pumped 1.5-2.5 oz on each breast at each session - and I had a very good supply with him.

I have the PIS-advance - does that make a difference, b/c i only have one knob. I put it in the middle - i was told the highest setting isn't always the best or most efficient.

Have you gone a little bit after you stop having milk come out? Most people have a second letdown.

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Once you're used to it, you should pump for 5 minutes after the milk stops flowing or 20 minutes. If you're in the middle of a letdown, I would not stop pumping.

Re- your update-- How many ounces did you get? The average woman gets about 3 oz at a time (when pumping both sides). So if you got about 1.5 oz on each side, that is about right. Also if you find that one side produces more at the pump that is completely normal too. I always get a lot more from my right side.

Also the average BF baby eats 1 oz per hour. (The daily range is anywhere from 19oz to 30oz with the average being 25 oz.) Here is a helpful link:
linky

ET: typo

Message edited 9/3/2007 4:56:08 PM.

Re: EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER Q UGH!---Quick q for those with medela pump in style-just about to use it!

Ladies - thankk you SO MUCH your responses were so helpful. After the 15 minutes at the lowest setting it looks like what I got was a little over 1 ounce. This is at 5 days post delivery. I guess I just thought that the whole bottle would be filled... Also, I know the 15 min wasn't emptying me completely because I was still full after. I just got worried because it seems the machine is so much more vigorous than my little guy and so I was worried he was getting less or the same as that and thus not enough.

Thanks again....this board has become my lifeline these early days! I am so super clueless it is ridiculous