Expressing - where do I start?

[maveta]

My ds is now 4 months old and has been breastfed except for about 5 or 6 bottles of formula and the occasional bottle of ebm. I was pretty good at expressing when he was really small, I started when he was a few weeks old and built up a great supply in the freezer. However, I used up the entire supply by leaving it with my mum every time she babysat him, turned out he didn´t need it and it would just get chucked. So I abandoned the expressing. Well I´m going back to work part time in a month and would really like for him to continue with ebm for the feeds I miss. So I need to build up the freezer supply again.

I read a thread on here not long ago recommending to start by expressing whatever you can after each feed and NOT in between feeds. I´ve tried this several times and can never get more than a few drops. What am i doing wrong and what´s the best way to try and get this going?

[Emzy5]

i can never express after feeds either! i swear my ds drinks the whole lot each feed! the only time i could ever express was at night - not much fun really!

however, you could try expressing a little bit before he feeds as babies are much more efficient at getting milk out of a boob than a pump.

good luck x

[lyndyloo]

Do it the same time every day. You won't get much at first but soon your body will know it needs to provide milk and will respond. I went from drops to 6 OZ in a week by expressing at the same time each day.

[Katy44]

maveta I could have written that
Want to build up my freezer supply again so have been expressing all yesterday and today, probably got less than half an oz in all that time. I even tried after the 5am feed when I was reasonably full (he only feeds from one breast)
Will try suggestions here, thanks

[ally90]

How frustrating! half an oz...

For me it was first thing in the morning when I was a bursting/leaking point. All very psychological...ie if full I knew I could squeeze some out...

What also worked was doing it in the shower...as in warm water running down my back...well they do say use warm flannels to relax you and mine kept getting cold!

[georgesmum007]

I always found it easier to express in a nice warm bath. The heat is good and you relax in bath.
Hope this helps.

[chipmonkey]

But not with an electric breast pump!

[maveta]

Okay, now I just need to find 20 mins in the day sometime when I can express in peace will have to think about that...

[Mellin]

I found the first morning feed was the best time to express. I would feed dd from one boob and express from the other. It took a bit of juggling at first and I could only do it with my electric pump. But it saved time and also it was the time of day when I was "full" enough to express.

Also it takes a while to build up your supply to express as well as feed your baby. You need to give your body time to adjust to the extra demand. Persevere for a week and I'm sure you'll be getting more than what you are now.