Expressing advice please

[Twinkles]

My little boy is 8 weeks old and i would like to express alongside BF to build up supplies. Last night i managed less than an ounce from both boobs this was at about 9.30pm after bf'ing. I tried again at 3am after bf'ing but only managed an ounce again and most of that was from the boob i hadnt bf from!

Im thinking i should try again now but im worried i wont have enough for him for his next feed

Do i persevere? Will this improve? does the amount you express increase the more often you do it? even if i am bf too? I am also worried about "stealing" milk from him and there not being enough left over to fill him up during the day.

Sorry if these questions seem naff, i really havent a clue! I would love some advice please.

I am using a tommee tipee hand held pump is this ok? i dont want to buy an electric pump before i know if i can express succesfully

Thanks a mill

 

[Mervs Mum]

I posted this recently https://www.babyandbump.com/breastfeeding/127110-idiots-guide-expressing.html#post2021845

Pumping is learned - you wont get much to start with hun so dont panic - your baby can get waaaay more out than you will ever pump. You have clever (.Y.)s !! Thy know that piece of plastic isnt your baby!!

 

[Twinkles]

Thanks so much for that, its answered loads of my questions! LOL @ maggie thatcher!

I read that you keep your milk in the back of the fridge for up to 5 days, is that your first batch that you keep adding to over a period of 5 days? If so that would certainly make life a hell of a lot easier - I thought it could only hold for 24hrs before you had to use it?

9 - 11oz sounds fantastic to me, can't wait to be pumping that much! i just managed another 1 oz now, so thats 3 oz since 9.30 last night woo hoo!

Thanks again

 

[Mervs Mum]

What you do is have a sterile container (a) and add the first say half an ounce in to that and stick at the back of the fridge. Then next time you pump you put that amount into another sterile contatiner (b). Once it's chilled to the same temp (a few hours) pour contents of (b) into (a) so when they join they are the same temp to avoid the temp going up and down as you join them - does that make sense? Just keep adding chilled amounts to (a) for up to 5 days then use once you have enough! Ecventually it wont take you 5 days to gather a feed.

 

[Twinkles]

perfect! thanks so much x 1000

 

[jms895]

When I first started I hardly got any off, now I get between 3 and 8 oz EACH time I express and that can be up to 3 times a day lol just keep doing it xx

 

[Jelly Bean]

As a fellow BFer/Pumper, just want to commend you on taking up an extra burden ATM to make sure your baby thrives! It will pay off very quickly and also long term hon

 

[Twinkles]

When I first started I hardly got any off, now I get between 3 and 8 oz EACH time I express and that can be up to 3 times a day lol just keep doing it xx

Also fantastic results and only 3 times a day! got almost 2 ounces just now off one boob so already seems to be increasing

 

[Twinkles]

As a fellow BFer/Pumper, just want to commend you on taking up an extra burden ATM to make sure your baby thrives! It will pay off very quickly and also long term hon

Thanks for the encouragement

 

[Twinkles]

I have just noticed that at the bottom of my container of expressed milk there seems to be a reddish brown type residue!? any idea what that is? it looks almost like fine fine grains of sand

 

[Shifter]

It will get easier quite quickly, the more times you pump the more you will get each time! It may also help you to pin-point the times of day when you have heavier breasts and take advantage of those times.

Early morning is great for me, because Jack goes 4+ hours at night so my boobs fill up while he's not feeding. I usually get about 120ml from one boob. I tend to feed him first (at about 7am) then express from the other boob. Now I usually get that amount after 10-15 minutes pumping. So by the time he's ready for his next feed, about 2.5 hours later, both my breasts have filled again.

 

[scrumpy78]

could it be blood? i got this and it was blood from my cracked nipple. it is ok to use though from what i understand

 

[Mervs Mum]

Have you had a sore nipple?? Could be that.

 

[Twinkles]

It will get easier quite quickly, the more times you pump the more you will get each time! It may also help you to pin-point the times of day when you have heavier breasts and take advantage of those times.

Early morning is great for me, because Jack goes 4+ hours at night so my boobs fill up while he's not feeding. I usually get about 120ml from one boob. I tend to feed him first (at about 7am) then express from the other boob. Now I usually get that amount after 10-15 minutes pumping. So by the time he's ready for his next feed, about 2.5 hours later, both my breasts have filled again.

How many times a day do you express? early morning is also my best time, it would be great if i could get away with expressing just once a day and get 120ml

 

[Shifter]

I just express once a day and don't manage it every day.