Help! Feeding 5 day old baby-want to express milk as nipples too sore to BF - HELP!

Jayneypops · Apr 10th, 2012, 10:03 AM

Hi,

I had my lovely daughter on Friday 6th, and initially tried BF her. I was in pain every time and my nipples are now cracked and sore (although healing well)
Since then I have had to give her bottles (very frustrating) but I do want to BF in the long term. The Midwives said she had a particularly strong suck, and to wait until my nipples healed before putting her to the breast again.

My milk came in this morning and my breasts are swollen, red and aching. I desperately want to express to keep the supply coming so that in a couple of days I can try BF again.

I do have a Medula electric mini pump but as my nipples are still tender I think maybe hand expressing may be better??

I have tried a couple of times and do get the odd drip but its fairly clear? How do I effectively hand express enough milk to ease my discomfort?

Thanks!

cassarita · Apr 10th, 2012, 10:22 AM

Hand expressing will relieve pressure but it won't keep up your supply. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. You're best to get your baby to nurse or to pump every few hours to keep up your supply.

CandyDay · Apr 10th, 2012, 11:18 AM

You should pump every 2 - 3hrs to keep your supply up. And you should pump 10-15mins on each side. It will be much more effective then hand expressing. Use Lanisoh to help with healing and also put some breastmilk on nipples and air dry to help with healing

blhanson1 · Apr 10th, 2012, 12:36 PM

I pumped in the early days when my nipples were to sore to feed the baby. We also supplemented with formula as well. Gradually worked up to nursing more often and stopped supplementing with formula. I never had a problem with my supply.

kerrie24 · Apr 10th, 2012, 12:48 PM

You will need to pump often or put baby to the breast in order for your body to start supplying enough milk,if you can bare it,put baby on a couple of times then pump a few times too.
I understand how sore it gets,ive been through it twice,have you got any lansinoh?
Its £10 but sooooo worth it,really,saved many a bf mum I know.Put loads on (you dont have to wash it off to bf) and let air get to your breasts too if poss,sleep braless with a towel under you for leaks.

lozza1uk · Apr 11th, 2012, 07:18 AM

I found a good video on you tube for hand expressing, it's called the hand expression tutorial, and really helped me get through the couple of days of engorgement. I can get quite a lot out hand expressing but haven't tries getting enough to feed yet as I need to buy a bottle.

Ozzieshunni · Apr 11th, 2012, 07:43 AM

I think your midwife gave you poor advice. You need to feed to keep up your supply and pumping too early can make engorgement WORSE!

Try Lansinoh cream and slather it on after every feed (it's safe for baby). Let your nipples air dry. Bottles can often cause babies to be lazy latchers as well. It will go away in time, but you need to feed!

Apr 10th, 2012, 10:03 AM	#1
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	Help! Feeding 5 day old baby-want to express milk as nipples too sore to BF - HELP! Hi, I had my lovely daughter on Friday 6th, and initially tried BF her. I was in pain every time and my nipples are now cracked and sore (although healing well) Since then I have had to give her bottles (very frustrating) but I do want to BF in the long term. The Midwives said she had a particularly strong suck, and to wait until my nipples healed before putting her to the breast again. My milk came in this morning and my breasts are swollen, red and aching. I desperately want to express to keep the supply coming so that in a couple of days I can try BF again. I do have a Medula electric mini pump but as my nipples are still tender I think maybe hand expressing may be better?? I have tried a couple of times and do get the odd drip but its fairly clear? How do I effectively hand express enough milk to ease my discomfort? Thanks!

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Apr 10th, 2012, 10:22 AM	#2
cassarita Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 1,063	Hand expressing will relieve pressure but it won't keep up your supply. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. You're best to get your baby to nurse or to pump every few hours to keep up your supply.

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Apr 10th, 2012, 11:18 AM	#3
CandyDay Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 559	You should pump every 2 - 3hrs to keep your supply up. And you should pump 10-15mins on each side. It will be much more effective then hand expressing. Use Lanisoh to help with healing and also put some breastmilk on nipples and air dry to help with healing

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 12:36 PM	#4
blhanson1 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 726	I pumped in the early days when my nipples were to sore to feed the baby. We also supplemented with formula as well. Gradually worked up to nursing more often and stopped supplementing with formula. I never had a problem with my supply.

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Apr 10th, 2012, 12:48 PM	#5
kerrie24 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: uk Posts: 6,003	You will need to pump often or put baby to the breast in order for your body to start supplying enough milk,if you can bare it,put baby on a couple of times then pump a few times too. I understand how sore it gets,ive been through it twice,have you got any lansinoh? Its £10 but sooooo worth it,really,saved many a bf mum I know.Put loads on (you dont have to wash it off to bf) and let air get to your breasts too if poss,sleep braless with a towel under you for leaks.

Status: Online

Apr 11th, 2012, 07:18 AM	#6
lozza1uk Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,413	I found a good video on you tube for hand expressing, it's called the hand expression tutorial, and really helped me get through the couple of days of engorgement. I can get quite a lot out hand expressing but haven't tries getting enough to feed yet as I need to buy a bottle.

Status: Offline

Apr 11th, 2012, 07:43 AM	#7
Ozzieshunni Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 19,286	I think your midwife gave you poor advice. You need to feed to keep up your supply and pumping too early can make engorgement WORSE! Try Lansinoh cream and slather it on after every feed (it's safe for baby). Let your nipples air dry. Bottles can often cause babies to be lazy latchers as well. It will go away in time, but you need to feed!

Status: Offline

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