Starting to express

[Taura]

I started topping up with formula (finger feeding with syringe) in hospital when DS was a day old, because he was dehydrated. He's now 2w old and I really want to get away from formula and back to exclusive BF. I have been lent an electric pump but struggling to get much milk out.

I start off with low vacuum, high frequency as suggested, for a minute or so until I start to get a few drips. Then I switch to high vacuum, lower frequency and the theory is that it should then flow more freely after the let down.
What I find is that the milk just drips... For a minute or so I might get a spurt, where I get a drip every cycle, but it swiftly slows and stops. The most I've managed has been 12ml in about 20 mins. :( (admittedly I have only tried 3 times so far).

Is it my technique that's wrong, am I just impatient, or are my boobs broken?

[PotteringAlong]

Have you tried hand expressing? I always get far more that way than with a pump.

[Taura]

Only a few drips but to be honest I've not tried for any length of time

[Taura]

PS my boobs were large even before pregnancy (HH/J cup) so not sure if the milk ducts are below too much padding.

[BabyHaribo]

Have you got baby with you when you are expressing? It really helped me to have baby very close and sounds corny but think about how much I loved them - if they started crying that sometimes worked as well! Helps the milk to let down

[hubbahubster]

I always get most milk first thing in the morning, pumping from one boob while feeding DC2 on the other. And gazing at her lovliness helps too...

[squizita]

Heat is KEY for me. Thought my ability to express was failing a while back, someone suggested heat and it worked a charm.
hot shower before (or bath) and hot pads/hot water bottle to prep each boob. I also have the pump warm from the steam steriliser.

[WishUponAStar88]

Thank you so much hubba my baby is 3 months old but have never been able to express more than 20 mls and was starting to worry as have an operation in a couple of weeks so won't be able to bf for a few hours. This morning did your suggestion of pumping at the same time as she had her morning feed from the other boob. 100mls in about 10 minutes I'm amazed!

[Taura]

Thanks for the advice... I got 28ml earlier today and felt much better about it. Only 7ml later on but tired/stressed etc so understandable. Will keep at it.

[CelticPromise]

Are you also bfing or formula feeding and expressing? You need to stimulate breasts 8+ times per day. Have you tried hand expressing? Works better for some. Also worth doing a bit of massage while you pump.

Are there any bf groups near you? Would be worth going to get RL support.

[Taura]

Mainly BF but have to top him up with formula (about 250-300 ml per day). I've not got the knack of hand expressing. I'm hoping to get to a support group next week but they've all been closed over the hols :(

[CelticPromise]

Ok has anyone had a look at latch lately and whether he's feeding effectively? Group will be really helpful. What a shame they've been closed.

With expressing you really need to focus on the stimulation rather than the amount of milk. Better to do 8× per day 10m including overnight and get minimal amounts than to do 3x per day 30m. You might get a little more initially but it won't encourage increased supply.

Some people recommend fenugreek to increase supply, 1.5g 3x per day. Also oats and fennel tea. No evidence all anecdotal i believe.

[CelticPromise]

I pumped exclusively for a while and got little without massaging at the same time. Double pumping also often recommended although i never got the hang of it! Good luck, sounds like you're doing really well after a tough start.

[Midorichan]

I express full time (& did with my first born), warmth helps enormously, as does manipulating my breasts as I pumo (squeezing in different areas etc - if I didn't squeeze, only a tiny amount would come out). I used a Philips advent electric pump with my first born, WISH so much I hadn't as I now use a fantastic hand pump (Lansinoh - so good, I bought 2) which, due to it being more powerful than the electric, I can get the milk out in 10 mins from both sides (3oz total every 3 hours). I also have to chant "let down let down let down" in my head to get my let down to work!

[Taura]

Getting better... 40ml this afternoon. And accidentally squirted DS in the eye with milk just now when trying to express a drop to find out why he was grizzling.

[Midorichan]

Oh, forgot to add, water is key too! I can express over an ounce more depending on if I've downed a few pints of water after the last pumping session. If I've forgotten to drink I get significantly less milk coming out.