best express???

[Fifilottie]

well. just joined this so many questions to ask but but but...I express a bottle for my DD's midnight dream feed. I have to express twice a day to get enough for this soo, I express after her first morning feed and get 60 mls consistantly and then I always stay up until well, now, 11 pm and beyond to express more...still only get about 60 at this time. So the midnight feed is about 120 mls but at nine weeks I think she is needing more but I can't express more for some reason. Any tips on expressing skills???

I have found that both fennel tea and a special breatfeeding tea have really boosted my milk production. I've just asked a similar question myself on another thread (you might try reposting in the feeding section), and was advised by the very helpful monkeytoo that what you're producing is a normal amount.

I also find getting up at 3 or 4 to express means that my boobs have time to fill up again by the time the baby wakes at 7, and I recall the midwife saying something about this kind of time of day naturally being a good time for milk production (although no idea why). Mind you, I generally don't have to feed the LO during the night.

I agree with PP, and would add that Oat Porridge and other fibre rich foods are good for supply, as is fenugreek which can be found at health food stores.

Milk supply is boosted during sleep, so is greatest in the morning and dwindles over the course of the day--that's why pumping in the night is effective.

It's also very effective to pump on one side when you feed on the other side. It takes a bit of practice but yields a definite result.

Oh, I forgot to say, have you tried breast compressions while pumping to make sure you empty the breast effectively? That usually gets me at least .5oz extra as well. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the advice everyone,

I'm going to try out pumping at 3 or 4 in the morning thing is, see how it turns out. However I do her last feed at midnight and ifrst at 6y in the morning so very unsure about the sleep deprivation thing...how are you managing..guess we all get used to it.

I also noticed that breast compressions help but only for a f
a minute...als I find taken my nipple in and out of the "machine" every minute helps..hehe I am trying.

Will try the fenugreek stuff. Am still bewildered how women can get even 4 oz I really struggle to reach beyond 2 to 3