Expressing milk?

[Linzi]

I woke up this morning and I think my milk has come in properly.. I had leaked everywhere (tmi!) and my boobs felt really sore and full. I fed Seth from the left one which eased it, but the right one was sore for a couple of hours till his next feed.

If Im uncomfortable, is it ok to express until it doesn't feel sore anymore? I don't want to bottle feed him yet because I want to make sure that he's getting the hang of breastfeeding, but I didn't know if it's ok to express and then throw it away? Will it do any harm?

I hope that makes sense and it's not a stupid question... Im still a newbie!

xxx

 

[marley2580]

I've had this from time to time and I usually just take the edge off by hand expressing in the shower or into the sink.

 

[B4byAnge1]

Yesterday my milk came in properly, and I had to express a bit out of both sides, my boobs were so full I couldnt get her to latch on properly! I asked the MW and she said that was fine, infact if it got her on properly then I should do it...I just used my breastpump for 5 mins or so on each side and then discarded the milk. And this morning now, Im not as full, just gave her a feed there and she was latching on no problems.

So im totally sure its ok to express a bit to make some room and make you more comfortable

 

[smartie]

You can save the milk and freeze it for using later if you feel its worth it.

 

[Holldoll]

It is ok to express it. You could freeze it and save it for when you do start using a bottle.

 

[Carley]

I woke up this morning and I think my milk has come in properly.. I had leaked everywhere (tmi!) and my boobs felt really sore and full. I fed Seth from the left one which eased it, but the right one was sore for a couple of hours till his next feed.

If Im uncomfortable, is it ok to express until it doesn't feel sore anymore? I don't want to bottle feed him yet because I want to make sure that he's getting the hang of breastfeeding, but I didn't know if it's ok to express and then throw it away? Will it do any harm?

I hope that makes sense and it's not a stupid question... Im still a newbie!

xxx

You could freeze the milk, in a chest freezer it will last up to 6 months. Why waste golden milk? So if you want to use a bottle in X time, or you need to go to hospital, you'll have a great supply

 

[~KACI~]

Yea its fine like you said they have trouble latchin on when your to full x

 

[Linzi]

You could freeze the milk, in a chest freezer it will last up to 6 months. Why waste golden milk? So if you want to use a bottle in X time, or you need to go to hospital, you'll have a great supply

We're going to start doing this now. I was really worried this weekend that he's not getting enough, so Im going to try and express a few bottles so that I can top him up if we need to in future.

xxx

 

[Margerle]

Linzi... careful with that... You're producing exactly what he needs right now - if he hits a growth spurt and needs more, he needs to cue your body to make more... not have you top him off with expressed milk... You may undermine your breastfeeding if you do it that way. Just a piece of advice.

 

[Serene123]

My boobs havn't even gone hard yet!

If you want to express it to feel more comfortable then I'd say just do it a little bit.

 

[Linzi]

Linzi... careful with that... You're producing exactly what he needs right now - if he hits a growth spurt and needs more, he needs to cue your body to make more... not have you top him off with expressed milk... You may undermine your breastfeeding if you do it that way. Just a piece of advice.

thats what i was worried about expressing for... not really sure whats best

xxx

 

[Margerle]

HAng in there, our babies are almost the same age... and Sharlotte has been having massive eating/fussy times. Like in the evening 4-5 hours long.

There's a perfect storm of things happening right now in their little bodies... They should be recouperated enough from birth now and are getting lots hungrier. They are adept at the boob, and crave to suck. Their digestive system has worked out kinks (should be out of the woods for jaundice, and meconium poo is long gone) and is in full digestive function. But the sensations of digestion (air in there) is new and probably a little uncomfortable for them. Frankly living life is new and probably a little uncomfortable compared to the soft, climate controlled womb where they didn't have to wear baby clothes and big diapers! LOL

Anyway, just keep him at the breast if he wants to suck let him... these babies are just 2 weeks old! I imagine what I would be like after two weeks if I up and moved to a different climate and culture - and I'm an adult!

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is don't worry about his fussiness. Just comfort him the best you can, and do not deny the breast to him (if you wish to continue bf'ing)

 

[Linzi]

Thanks hun, I definately want to continue feeding. The issue I had with bf now is more that I want to make sure he's getting enough. I'm past the sore part, but like you say, he seems to want to be on every hour or so and I just worry that theres not enough for him. Doesn't help that he has terrible wind as well poor little fella!

xxx

 

[Margerle]

Sounds just like Sharlotte!

I just make sure I burp her as much as I can to avoid those gassy cramps. The digestive process of breast milk makes some gas anyway, so you can't avoid all gas, but it makes for some very cute mid-sleep smiles no?

 

[Linzi]

I wouldn't know lol, I sleep when he does!

xxx