no letdown on pumping suddenly

Have you had a break or anything? I pumped for the first 3 months and then on/off for the last year but when I *needed* to pump about 3 weeks ago I couldn't. Absolutely nothing.

I've heard that pumping output can decrease over time, but I've not had much personal pumping experience. Have you read the Kellymom page on pumping? There's a lot of advice on there. I hope you find something that helps!

Try drinking a big glass of water as you pump. That used to help me.

CJ --- I know that as Bubs grow bigger their suck is better so sometimes it just because the pumps suck isn't as good as the babies suck hope you understand what my brain is so feebly trying to say (I think its baby brain as I just can't find the right words any more) Hope the supplements ect work for you though i was so disappointed when i had to give up expressing   

Hope it picks up for you CJ.
I massage beforehand and pretty much just start pumping when I feel the letdown coming - often didn't find the pump could do it on its own. Although the avent cushion thing did help, but then I'd have to take it off to actually get milk.
Ooh also emotional tv can help, I found out while watching someone have an emotional reunion with their kids...but that might be hard to orchestrate

Hi, I don't know if anyone has suggested this.... but I had a terrible time trying to express... it just didn't work for me... then about 2 months before I weaned a friend suggested that whilst trying to pump... repeat the words over and over out loud... " MILK MILK MILK....etc" and Holy Moly... it worked... the milk just gushed! Weird I know but it worked!

I hope it works for you!

DH had a good laugh at me! LOL I was laughing at myself too!

Let me know how you get on CJ... bet you felt as silly as me! But I hope it works for you.

Haha GG i did do it, not noticeable, but on saying that i didnt do it today and got some less... so might try it again int he wee hours this morning. hahaha!
hmmm yeah maya i think when AF is back alot changes, thankfully mine not back yet, just some random spotting here and there.
We are hoping to have got past the needing more milk as older, as we started E on solids a month ago, so as she gets hungrier we just give her more food instead - infact have got her 250-300ml nite expressed BM bottle down to just 200ml most nites YAY!! maybe that is easier when not pumping exclusively - i only pump for 1 bottle the rest i BF, she just never got enough BM off me to sleep at nite for the last bottle which is why we do the bottle. i agree re the stressing as the freezer stocks go down, esp when used to having heaps (I was a super pumper - i got 300ml every 3 hours in the beginning so i know my boobs are capable of it!! gutted cuz i threw out so much milk cuz i had no room).
I agree tho, 5 months is an awesome effort, well done! you want to give them the BM so much more when they are prem eh to give them every chance you can. AM hoping having those supps helped my milk get back to where it needs to be, seems good for now and am down to 1 supp, i will do the other if i need to again, but am expecting her milk needs will taper off from now.
hmmm that was a huge post, 1 glass of wine and i cant stop babbling!