Okay wtf am I doing wrong, re: pumping

[Deleted]

I have a Hygeia pump, so everything is external (you can replace the tubing and it's hygenic, blahblahblah, unlike the Medela).

I KEEP getting milk in the tubing! It used to be a slow thing that I wouldn't necessarily notice right away but now I feel like I have to wash the tubing every day. Today there was some reddish tinge to it? But I wasn't bleeding and it was only what was in the tubing.

What am I doing wrong? How do I avoid this? Are my boobs that forceful?? The boys don't seem to react differently.

Also my right boob isn't outputting as much as I feel is in there.

[loveday]

I think I used one of those. I had to find a happy medium of pressure to keep the flow going. I always got less from one boob, so that is normal. Is there a leak in any of the seals?

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2012 14:12:00 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

I have no advice about the tubing issue, but have you tried massaging your right boob as you pump?

Yes, ad nauseum.

I get my "standard" 3oz from it each time but I feel like there's more there.

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2012 14:13:16 GMT -5 loveday said:

I think I used one of those. I had to find a happy medium of pressure to keep the flow going. I always got less from one boob, so that is normal. Is there a leak in any of the seals?

I have it turned all the way up -- maybe I'll try a little less.

I'll check the seals. That would actually make sense.

[cleo29]

Hmmm, I don't know. I have a Medela (which if anyone wants it, they can have it. I used a total of 8 wks) and I never got milk in the tubes.

First, one boob tends to be the workhorse of the two and puts out more. For me, it was my left. That might be what's going on for you.

The only thing I can think of with the red in the tube is that it is water residue. IN our old house I would notice with some stuff and I think it was stuff in the pipes that you don't see when the water is running.

[alleycat]

Try a hot compress over the right boob and about the milk in tubes do you have a strong let down or are you bending over while you pump?

[ThirdandLong]

Please be careful that the red-ish tinge isn't pink mold. Pink mold loves to grow in damp spots, and it can be dangerous (as any mold can be, that is.)

[Deleted]

Ew! I will check about that. What gets connected doesn't touch the tubing thank goodness. Maybe ill just replace and start over. I should NOT use heat with these flexible plastic tubes to dry, right (like a hair dryer on warm)?

My let down is a little forceful but the boys don't react to it really. Unless it's more forceful with the pump.

Thanks all!

[Deleted]

Oh and I've followed their instructions when cleaning the tubing too.

[Deleted]

Connected should say collected

[katiescarlett]

I had medela, but I thought of the pink mold/mildew as well. I always swung the tubing around like a lasso to get the water out after sterilizing the tubes.