Expressing Breast Milk

[Kpo58]

I've been expressing Breast Milk as my DD (who was born a month early) hasn't so far managed to latch on.

I've noticed that in the morning I can get 150ml, but in the afternoon/evening, I can only get about half that much. Is this change normal and how can I boost milk production later in the day?

[Mermaid36]

How many times a day are you expressing? I've was told that I definitely need to express in the early hours of the morning to increase supply generally. I've just looked at my book (1 week old preemie twins) and I get (marginally) less in the middle of the day and more in the evening and morning.

[Junosmum]

Yep, that's normal. The hormone that produces mik is highest at 4am and lowest at 4pm, so mornings you'll be able to pump more. It's the same if baby were feeding direct from breast and can make them fussy late afternoon/evening causing people to think that they don't have enough milk, when in fact it's totally normal. Make sure you always do a middle of the night pump- 3 or 4 am to keep your supply up, even if baby sleeps!