I am having real problems expressing any milk. I expressed all the time with Ruby and had no problems at all, i always let-down and could pump oz and oz with a bit of practise. This time i am having a problem - i cannot let-down. I now have three pumps, the Avent ISIS which i used to death with Ruby, a hospital grade, double electric pump, and today i have just purchased another brand hand pump (seeing as the ISIS is on deaths door!)
I am going on a course over the coming weekend, i will be able to nurse first thing in the am, and at bedtime and DF, but will miss the 3 or 4 feeds in between. I have been pumping to a) get into practise and b) collect some milk for dh to give him. In the morning i am full on both sides and i jusy pick which ever one for him to have - as i am so full he only takes one breast, but when i pump i cannot get hardly anything from the other one, obviously there is milk there, but it won't come out. I have been pumping after each feed, not getting a lot, but hoping just to increase supply. I have also tried pumping when a feed is due, hoping to be able to pump a full feed like i will have to while i am away from home, but again i get next to nothing even though i am ready to fed and so obviously have enough milk. I just cannot seem to let-down while pumping. I have tried relaxing and visualising him feeding with no effect, I am compressing the breasts, massaging, hand expressing to start with etc etc, all with minimal effect.
Does anyone have any advice for me, i am so so so worried about this. I really want to do this course (it is my doula training) but it is not worth losing my supply for.