Expressing Milk?

[bambikate]

Hi girls,

Can I please pick your brains for some advice?? I've been BF Izzy for 3 weeks now and I've tried to express using a manual breast pump a few times but each time I've only managed a teeny bit of milk. (My breasts started getting a bit too full and uncomfortable and leaking a lot in between feeds and I would like to have some "emergency" milk in my freezer just incase.)

When is the best time to pump - whilst feeding on the other breast? In between feeds? And do you have any other tips - I don't think I'm doing it right as I can hardly get any out???

Also, do breasts always leak or will they get used to only letting milk out during feeds?

Thank you x x

 

[Jemima]

I am not an expert on pumping but I believe the morning is the best time to do it and also, I have heard that the more you pump, the more you will be able to extract over time. So perserverence seems to be the key. I think some girls do pump whilst feeding but I think it can be quite tricky in terms of juggling baby, pump, etc.

My boobies still leak almost 3 months in! I did think it would regulate itself over time but it hasn't so far.

xx

 

[jenstar]

I started pumping at 3 wks to increase my supply for my hungry baby so slightly diff circumstances...

But I expressed at a set time (well as near as you can witha young baby) every day so it was like giving him an extra feed every day. I did it in the evenings cos my baby went to bed early. The lactation consultant said it would take about 4 days to be able to get anything out but I was getting 1 oz on the 3rd day.

If you pump and feed at same time then your body might think it is twins and always make that amount so you will always have to pump and feed or else get really full....? Think this is right but somebody else can maybe confirm it, it does sound handy cos you will be sitting down anyway...

If you think there is milk there that the pump just isn't getting out try massaging your boobs and rolling your nipples before trying to express.

I leaked loads in bed at night up to a couple of wks ago (so 4 months!)
but only ever very occasionally in the day time if I got full and baby didn;t feed.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I pump twice a day. In the morning when I'm full while feeding (although I can pump now when not feeding so long as I stare at her or her picture!) and I get between 3 and 5 oz but I started off gettung 2oz max. Then I pump in the afternoon when I get chance but I dont get more than 2oz then. Its like anything with bfing - the more you do it the easier it gets!!

 

[bambikate]

Thanks for the info I will give it another go and stick to it!!! x x

 

[XKatX]

Hun, when I first started expressing, I was getting 1, maybe 2oz at a time. I think it takes a while for your body to get used to things. I now express at the same time as the first morning feed and I regularly get 5-7oz, easily. This is definitely the best time to do it.
Good luck and stick with it!!!

 

[bambikate]

Hun, when I first started expressing, I was getting 1, maybe 2oz at a time. I think it takes a while for your body to get used to things. I now express at the same time as the first morning feed and I regularly get 5-7oz, easily. This is definitely the best time to do it.
Good luck and stick with it!!!

wow thats fab Kat well done you - thanks for that gives me hope! x x

 

[clairebear]

i pump first thing in the morning and get around 4-8 oz with out to much trouble. i only express enough for daddy to do a feed or to mix up woth baby rice.
i found the more i do it the better and quicker i get the milk out. hang in there hun it gets so much easier x

 

[sam#3]

I have expressed a couple of times to ease mastitis and a blocked duct and i have found that i get more out if i hand express than with the pump but it could be i just need to get used to the pump im not sure. When i hand express it pours out but i only get tiny drops if i pump. I think its finding whats best for you with timing.

 

[Flo_B]

I know a friend that said if she sat watching her baby or even looked at a photo of her while expressing it flowed much more easily. It's probably worth a go eh?