frustrated with expressing please help

[reallytinyamy]

I'm sitting here trying to express and getting nowhere- well, just a dribble, and I'm getring really annoyed and upset. I've tried loads of times and always seem to ony get the foremilk, I get about 1oz from both breasts together and when I squeeze my nipples afterwards I get milk coming out so I know I'm not doing it properly. I've tried 2 attachments, changing the position of the nipple, keep taking it on and off but nothing works. I dont know what to do. I want to express cos I hate breast feeding

 

[isil]

it might be the kind of pump you're using. Apparently different women need different ones. I know that's frustrating and I've found my tommee tippee one doesn't work for me. I think hand expressing would probably get more out! Have you any friends who have ones that you could try out? Or ask a health prof. for advice? I hate breastfeeding too and my health visitor said today that maybe I should just do 1 or 2 breastfeeds a day and do the rest formula but I don't even know if i'm going to be able to stand that...so let me know if you find a pump that works for you.
sending you massive

 

[moomin_troll]

ive read that if u express why holding ur baby or looking at his/her picture thats supposed to help and also try expressing while ur baby is feeding on the other breast!

is ur pump manual or electric?

 

[Margerle]

if u dont mind me asking why do you hate to breastfeed?

Your difficulties are not uncommon. The average woman faces exactly what you are when trying to express. Your best bet is to try to use warm compresses, lean over and jiggle the girls a bit before hooking up to the pump, and run your fingernails from the edges of your breast to the nipple gently. You are trying to entice letdown.

The best explanation of pumping Ive ever heard likened it to an orgasm. You have to 'work up' to let down.

I have a Medela pump-n-style. $300 machine. Every attachment known to mankind, nad I still couldn't get more than a couple ounces. EVER. I knew baby was eating more than that, as I'd thaw 4 ounces at a time to feed her (this was a few weeks ago).

A good friend of mine suggested the Avent Isis manual pump to me. She has similar problems and liked how she could vary the suction and 'pull' wiht the manual. She said she could imitate baby better with it.

I got one and WOW what a difference. I can pump 5 ounces per breast most of the time! (Sometimes I can still only pull 2 oz, but better than before!) And in the end, I'm pumping exaclty the same. My pumped breast feels empty (unlike before) and I'm getting the really thick fatty hindmilk now too.



I start out quick and shallow for 20-30 pumps then I start to pull long draws like baby. I pause every once in a while and start the long draws again. I try to imitate baby as much as possible. This has been wonderful for me.

But this isn't for every woman. I've heard a lot of women have great results with hospital grade pumps. I never could get much success. : shrug :

Hope that helps.

 

[tinytoes]

try and get over the hating of breast feeding. It's lovely when you crack it. It's painful for a while (I can fully appreciate that!!!) but after then it's easy and special.

Otherwise, try and relax - stress does all sorts of bad things to our milk production.

I used a hospital grade pump and had success. That said, I got the same amount from the Avent manual pump.

The only thing I'd suggest to you is to relax, pump slowly and try and be patient? Have the odd pause to stimulate baby's technique.

FInally, maybe speak to a lactation consultant - they can really help I know it's a bit of an effort to get to see one, or call a mid wife to come visit and give you tips, but it really did help me.

 

[reallytinyamy]

if u dont mind me asking why do you hate to breastfeed?

I can never get comfortable, it takes ages and I gert bored and impatient, also she doesnt seem perticularly interested in the breast and seems to play with it rather than feed from it.

Strangley it never hurts, never has, but she always seems hungry when she comes off and that makes me feel inadequate and a failure

 

[tinytoes]

if u dont mind me asking why do you hate to breastfeed?

I can never get comfortable, it takes ages and I gert bored and impatient, also she doesnt seem perticularly interested in the breast and seems to play with it rather than feed from it.

Strangley it never hurts, never has, but she always seems hungry when she comes off and that makes me feel inadequate and a failure

And dont you get bored pumping? God I did (I since went all boobie). You see,in the end it'll be MUCH quicker than pumping. My mid wife explained it by saying that the bottle has one hole. My boobs have about 20. Once baby gets the hang of it (they need to elarn too) then they'll be much quicker on the boob. Then 10 minutes and we can be done.

 

[Margerle]

heck yes! We're already at 20 mins down from 70! Everyday it's quicker and quicker...

I hate pumping- it's frustrating, and a bit painful, and embarrassing.

I hope it works out for you! Just keep trying different methods, and I agree with tinytoes, (and I thought I saw a thread from you about the fact you might have PND) just hang in there... it does get better.

Contact your midwife or doc about the PND and good luck!

 

[Hevz]

if u dont mind me asking why do you hate to breastfeed?

I can never get comfortable, it takes ages and I gert bored and impatient, also she doesnt seem perticularly interested in the breast and seems to play with it rather than feed from it.

Strangley it never hurts, never has, but she always seems hungry when she comes off and that makes me feel inadequate and a failure

Sweetie....look how big and gorgeous your baby is........you've done that, you've grown her by yourself

 

[ryder]

I am going to be expressing too, as im not comfortable with breastfeeding directly either. Plus I would like my OH to be able to feed and bond with our baby too.

Alot of women have trouble getting the pump latched correctly... Have you spoken to a consultant to see if your using it correctly?

Other then that, like the others have suggested you may need to try a different pump.