Using a breast pump for the first time

[csemum]

My daughter is one week old today. A couple of days ago, my husband and I tried to use our avert breast pump. This was after a fraught night where she slept very little. After 'Ikea' style distress at assembling the thing, I tried to use it and the amount of milk that came out was pitiful!

I would really welcome any words of wisdom/advice about how to use a breast pump effectively. I want to do it sooner rather than later as my husband is off work for another two weeks so we can have some 'trial and error' sessions and the midwife has recommended that we embed it in her feeds soon so she doesn't get too much of a shock later on.

Mine field. Any advice?

You should try o pump after the first feed of the day

An ounce or less is usual the first time you pump

The more you do it, the more you will get

Don't stress - your supply is just getting established - the more you feed/pump the more your supply will be boosted

I personally could only use a manual pump - electric ones no good

she's only a week old. (congratulations btw). I'd wait a good 6 weeks for breastfeeding to be established before you stat pumping. (unless you really have to).

Your boobs are only just getting used to making milk and haven't even got used to supply and demand yet.

And just o add, I didn't even pump until my DD was around 5 weeks IIRC

Try posting in the breast and bottle section - there's some lovely ladies over there with lots of good tips/ advice.

How much is 'pitiful' though? I have a 19 day old ds3, and started expressing when he was 17 days. I expressed off one side while feeding off the other (only way I've ever got a decent amount, with all 4 dc). I got 1 oz in first session, then did the other side when he fed next and I got another 1oz. When DP gave him the bottle last night (so I could have a long bath rather than a 30 second dip!) ds3 only took an ounce.

Newborn BF babies take less than you think at each indiviual feed, as their tummies are so small at this age, which is why they feed so frequently.

HTH.

I'd repost in breast/bottle feeding topic for more expressers.

I expressed in the early weeks and ended up with horrendous oversupply problems. I think the best advice is to get bf well and truely established before messing around with your supply by expressing.

thinking back (12 years!) the only time i ever got much off was to pump off one side while feeding from the other.

I had to either look at DS whilst he was sleeping or look at a photo of him to get the best out of the pump.

Saying that - it was at least 2 months before I even tried.

Good luck - and well done you for BF

thanks everyone...great advice and I'm going to repost in the right section (I'll get the hang of mumsnet soon!)