how much water should i be drinking whilst expressing?

[biglips]

as 2 days ago my breasts were so painful and so heavy so i expressed them till they felt empty.....since then they havent been feeling full and i have been expressing them but struggling to get the milk out.

i know i havent been drinking enough water lately as trying to remember whilst looking after my 13 days old dd2

thanks

[MalchowMama]

Why are you expressing? My only experience at expressing was to get a bit of milk for mixing up rice cereal when the lads were starting on solids, and I found it a complete bitch. Would work away for ages and get the tiniest amount. Best way to get milk out of breasts is with a baby's mouth!

Drinking plenty of water is good for you, but doesn't really affect milk production.

[charchargabor]

You should drink to thirst, it is a myth that you need to drink lots of water to make enough milk. Why are you expressing?

[PumpkinPatty]

Agree, with charchargabor just drink as much as you're thirsty for. I was v thirsty when BFing so often carried a bottle of water with me.

But I struggled to express very much - 3 ounces was my limit, even first thing in the morning when my boobs were full.

[charchargabor]

Yes, fwiw I was crap at expressing apart from when seriously engorged in the early days. If my boobs weren't bursting then I'd only get a trickle. Never got the hang of it at all.

[biglips]

because i find it comfy to express than breastfeeding my 2 weeks old. As i failed with my dd1 but i tried to Bf with dd2 and it was going down the same road so im happy to express. i usually can do more than 4oz on each boob but lately as i havent been drinking enough water..i just needed to know how much water should i be drinking?

ive been drinking more since yesterday and my boobs are starting to fill abit more full. im off to express them

[MalchowMama]

There is no answer to how much water you should be drinking, drinking water does not affect your supply, truly. I would be very concerned about your success this time around if you are feeding exclusively expressed milk, as I would be surprised if you would be able to express enough to encourage sufficient milk production.

What difficultied were you experiencing, maybe we can help? The beauty of bf is that it makes life easier for Mum, and it seems like expressing and giving from a bottle defeats that, as well as lessens the benefits of skin to skin contact and such. . .

[janx]

Hi Biglips
I am going to the post office today - but can't find your address - can you email me please - jancullen2000 at yahoo dot co dot uk

[biglips]

i tried to breastfeed to both DC but the probs ive got that ive got very very sensitive nips and (i cant even have my dp anywhere near them even when i wasnt pg) it was knocking me sick everytime they start sucking. Both are stronger sucker too.