Any tips for letting down?

[Lisah746]

I have a PIS and I have been trying to pump to rebuild a stash. I am not letting down for the pump. I used to have very little problem expressing milk and would get anywhere from 4 to 6 oz per pumping session.
  Now I get 2-3 tablespoons if i'm luckly. I know it's not a supply issue because my dd is happy after coming off of the breast. I heard about some type of nose spray made from I think Oxytocin that helps let-down. Has anyone heard of this?

Is there anything I can do to help with let-down. I massage the breast, I think of dd or look at pictures of her. I'm at a loss. TIA.

[gg]

I wish I had more constructive advice but ...

Are you watching the pump to see what is coming out?  Can you get a hands-free bra (I have a bra that snaps in the middle and I use it for hands-free pumping) so that you can do other things and distract yourself?  I find that the more I'm paying attention to what's coming out, the less that comes out.  But if I'm on the computer, the phone, etc, I have much more productive pumps.

[Lisah746]

Yeah I have tried that also. I will sit at the puter or in front of the tv and just let the pump work, but to no avail.

[Chloesmom]

Have you replaced the soft parts on your pump recently?  WHen my output drops, more often than not its the soft parts that are to blame.  I'd start by trying that.

For me, if I am having trouble with let down, I visualize tons of pure white milk pouring out- it always works!

[Jessie]

Something that helped me was reading a magazine or book while pumping, to distract myself and keep from thinking about the pumping, and making sure to keep plenty of ice water handy.  I would often drink a 20 or 32 ounce cup full of ice water while nursing ~ it really seemed to help.

And I second the rec. to check the parts.  A couple of times mine clogged and I only noticed it when I realized it wasn't pumping as well.  I removed the tabs and thoroughly cleaned all of the parts, and wiggled a few things and it worked fine again.  Good luck!

[Lisah746]

Thank-you all. I am going to try the white milk thing. I will have to have some water handy too.

[MrsBobMarley]

Ok this is just a thought. I have NO problem letting down, and I have been pumping for my twins since they were born in September.  I DO have a problme on once in a while and I notice it is related to wether or not there is dried milk on my nips.  I don't nurse at all, only pump, so I am not getting the same effect as a babies tongue, ya know?  So what I do is take a washcloth once a day and wipe away any dried milk in the ducts and wallah the next time I pump it pours out. Mind you, I get 18 ounce every 5 hours-I am actually over producing.