Pumping Woes

With J, I had a constant struggle to keep up with her intake while I was pumping at work. I seem to have overcome that battle with B, but have a whole other issue on my hands. I'm, what, 6 or so months into this pumping gig this time around and you'd think I would have found my groove by now. 

Well, I had. Up until about 3 weeks ago. Then things started to hurt. And I'm not talking about end of the week soreness that I briefly mentioned in the past. I'm talking about full on cringing at the thought of turning the pump on even the lowest setting. Teeth clenching like you're two weeks in on nursing your newborn. Yeah, that kind of pain. For the entire 25 minute pumping session. Four times a day. UGHHHHH!

I've tried every size flange they make. I reposition so that my nipple isn't touching the flange. I've tried varying speeds. I feel like I've tried it all. 

You'd think I wouldn't have been surprised when I looked down while pumping on Tuesday afternoon and saw blood inside the flange. Sorry for the TMI, but for a blog about babies and motherhood and everything in between, I think it comes with the territory!

That ended my pumping session for the day and I didn't have the guts to even try for a second that night. I was even scared to nurse when I got home, but luckily that was no big deal. 

I did some reading and found out that it's not uncommon to use olive oil or coconut oil while pumping. I put some coconut oil on Tuesday night and used it again before I pumped on Wednesday morning and it worked like a dream! No pain.

But of course, that awesomeness couldn't come without a downfall. Now I don't think I'm pumping as much. I say think because (A.) it's only been two full days of trying this method and (B.) it's also that time of the month and really my first real period since I had B. I had another one back in February, but it was very light. Regardless, I know that can cause a temporary dip in supply. In my reading, I also learned that the decrease in friction while using coconut or olive oil can make it harder to empty the breast and that's what I think the real issue is. This sucks cause I don't want to have a supply drop from using the oil, but I also don't want sore, cracked, bleeding nipples. Oh the joys.....

It's typically the morning pumping session that I'm having trouble getting my normal amount, so I may actually try not using the oil until after I pump this morning. 

Cross your fingers!! I wish I knew what caused all of this in the first place.