What's up with my pump?

**Ladylove** · November 1st, 2012, 10:47 AM

So three times now I've had milk start to go back into the tube instead of down through the filter into the bottle. It happens just after let down. The first two times I assumed I'd kinked the tube but this time I checked as it happened and nothing is wrong with the tube. Is my letdown too much for the filter opening? Or do I need to replace that little flappy bit? It's a Medela Swing.

**dantri** · November 1st, 2012, 11:00 AM

I'm subbing because this has just happened to me too. Lucky I have spare tubes so I can wash and dry one and still carry on pumping with the dry one. I wondered if I needed to replace the flappy bit too but it doesn't look worn and it doesn't back up all the time. I've only been using it for 3 months and even then I've had the symphony here for 2 of those. The swing was only used for out and about.

**No.5** · November 1st, 2012, 11:59 AM

That's happened to be a few times with my swing. Don't know why it happened but I found when I took it off, it went into the bottle. Now I just make sure that I occasionally take it off so some air gets in and it hasn't happened again.

**Ladylove** · November 1st, 2012, 01:09 PM

Take off the flappy bit do you mean?

**~TT40~** · November 1st, 2012, 05:02 PM

i havent had that problem with mine but a friend of mine has that happen to her all the time in hers. ill ask her if she worked out how come

**No.5** · November 1st, 2012, 05:37 PM

Take off the flappy bit do you mean?

Nope it won't work without the flappy bit. The actual cup that sits on your breast.

**leckert** · November 1st, 2012, 06:58 PM

I had that happen to me lots of times before I finally (only about 2 mths ago

after having it happen a lot with ds1) m worked out that my let down was a fair bit before the change in suction pattern so I was overfilling the yellow thing; now I keep an eye on when my let down happens so I can manually change the suction pattern. I don't back up the vacuum hose now unless I forget to keep an eye on when milk is coming reasonably well.

**MummyNaomi** · November 1st, 2012, 08:08 PM

This has happened to me, that makes sense Leckert, thanks, I was wondering what was going on!

**Ladylove** · November 2nd, 2012, 01:02 PM

Ah ha. My letdown happens at the same time or after the letdown suck on the machine happens but it makes sense as often it happens just when I'm sitting back feeling impressed with myself that I have such awesome flow lol.

Yes and lift cup not flap, got it.

**Ladylove** · January 15th, 2013, 04:11 PM

Ok so for anyone else with this issue- I needed to replace that flappy bit. Over time it was getting a bit sticky with residue, grime etc even when I cleaned it so it would stick shut when I pumped and the milk wouldn't filter through. A new one fixed it.