I need your best tips for expressing - need 3-4 more oz by 1.30pm!

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I start work tonight for 3 hours (so gonna allow for 4) and I need to express. Last night I only managed 50ml (google shows it as being about 1.3oz) I am finding it hard to pump as my nipples are so big- my whole boobs just ends up being sucked rigbht in (avent hand pump - isis i think) so am holding pump between my legs and squeezing my boobs Any tips? Thanks

have a shower and let the hot water fall on your boobs. Seems to really help with the let down. Pump immediately afterwards.

Hot compresses can help too.

Get an electric pump if you can. I had the isis electric one and it worked pretty well.

I use an Avent pump and the majority of my nipple gets sucked in as well.

I tend to find I have to hold my boob back at first to get it in the right position, making a C shape with my thumb and index finger and just kind of plugging it in. Once I get going I let go so as to not block any ducts.

I've noticed from watching my DS feed that he doesn't tend to do very long sucks, he feeds quite quickly, so find that to draw the milk out I have to pump quite fast to get my nipple into the pump and then do long sucks.

Once I've got beads of milk coming, I then go back to pumping quickly and the milk comes out in squirts.

I find towards the end of pumping putting my hand on the side of my boob to warm it helps get the last of the milk out, so you might find a warm compress helps you get started. Try having a hot shower first.

I have a massive double electric but the parts are from ds1 (4) and I think I forgot to clean after last use & those I had to order from the net. Will try shower in abit - DS can bea massive feeder so will prob. feed 'til 1.30 now....

I second the shower advice.

Also try and mimic the babies method - short and fast pumps to begin with - not too much pressure and when the letdown comes try longer and slower pumps.

Try also alternating breasts - it will help stimulate a let down - try 2 minutes on each side, then 3, then 4, then 5 - and then stop.

If you still need more give it another try in about 2-3 hours.

Express whilst feeding your lo. I always expressed lots more this way, especially in the morning.

get a disposable nappy and wet it with hot water (not too hot, bearable to tough) and use it as a compress on your breast as you express.

Nurses in SCBU told me that tip and it bloody works and it brilliantly mess free.

thanks - not done any yet, ds has been feeding the whole time

Maybe he knows and is stocking up for later himself

Well, I tried again and only got a few drops - but DH said he had a little sleep and went in his swing. Who knew bottles were so expensive though, I chucked about 20 that I got years ago with my pump, steriliser etc. and ended up speanding £40 on two types of bottles and teats

40pounds (then again all my bottles were given to me)

Although not ideal, it you don't regularly express enough and since it's only for 3-4 hours, 2oz should be enough to him through. Really only need 4oz max anyway. (If you add more to the bottle he'll drink just because he likes sucking and it's there). He can catch up proper when you get in. Better luck next time

Second express while he's nursing and switch feed so once he slows on boob1 switch him to boob2 and pump to boob1 and so on.

Although a bit messy I've found hand expressing far more productive, quicker and less painful than any pump I've tried. All you need is a sterilised bottle and a muslin tucked under boob to catch the drips.
After a gentle massage hold fingers in a c around edge of areola and then gently slide in towards nipple.

Just a thought but if you've only just bought bottles have you actually given dc a bottle before? Could be you're madly expressing and he might not take it anyway. Hope he does x

sorry just realised my post is too late hope it went well