Trouble with expressing - help!

[rimsky]

I'm really struggling to express milk at the moment! I haven't been able to express even an 1oz!

Things I have tried

1. Pumping off one breast when baby on other
2. Pumping off breast baby just finished with
3. Pumping whilst holding baby
4. Just pumping!

Anyone got any tips?

I'm using a Tommee Tippee electric pump, could this be the root of my problems? I've got to say it doesn't feel very effective... aAnd if it is rubbish anyone got any alternative suggestions?

Try having a hot bath first and relaxing. Sometimes putting a hot cloth on the breast first helps.

This might sound stupid but I find that if I imagine DS laughing or feeding I get better flow than I do if I'm struggling to hold him and pump at the same time.

I've also found that sitting starring at the pump/ regularly checking the amount I've got/ squeezing my boob doesn't help.

I find that DS sucks quite quickly all the way through a feed, so find that quicker pumping actually works better, but the too start with I need some longer pumps to get the milk going.

Massaging the breast helps as well, sometimes supporting my breast underneath with my other hand can help too.

I used an avent hand pump at first and then an avent electric pump, I haven't found much difference in the amount I can get out with either pump, it takes just as long with the electric, just requires less attention.

Hi. I use a medela swing - dd is now 5 months and I've been expressing a few times every day now to build up my freezer stash for now impending return to work. I express in the morning and after dd settles at night and if I can 1/2 times more in the day. To start I got about half an oz each time but now I do mostly get 1-2oz each express. I get more in the mornings as a rule but dd is usually pretty hungry when she wakens so I have to try to get to the pump early or I'm drained by her. I have freezed 3-4oz a day every day for over 2 months but despite doing a lot of expressing I can't get much more than you. Which is a long way of saying you're doing ok and although practice and a different pump will help a little you're not doing that badly anyway.

I have a medela mini electric pump. I go upstairs quietly and take a photo of DD smiling (about 6m) with me. If I express after she's had a quick feed i can get 3oz or so, but best for me is just after the 1st feed of the morning, i do the other (very full) side and can usually get 5oz. This works well for me as i block feed, eg only one at a time (due to reflux) so always have a nice full side to work with in the morning.
Hope it helps.

Hi... I bought a TT electric pump over the weekend as I have their manual one which is great but exhausting!!

In about 15 minutes the electric pump managed to get about 5 drops out so I was less than impressed.

I have since bought the Medela Swing, which is brill (compared to the TT one) and I can get a decent amount out with it.

I'm no expert tho - my daughter is only 3 weeks old but the Medela seems far superior to me at this stage.

you say at the moment, does that mean you could express more previously. Also how old is LO, it is common to have reduced output after 6 weeks.

If your worried about the pump you could try hand expressing, or renting one for a few weeks/month to test out the 'best'. If either of these work it could be worth trying different ones. Also worth just trying a cheap manual, as some people do find these more effective.

If you used to be able to pump more, then you're body has probably self regulated really well in which case you can try expressing instead of a feed (to test the idea) or working on increasing your supply (by pumping same time each day/part of routine for a week).

I have noticed the tommee electric doesn't rate well (but their manual does). Also getting right shield for you can be tricky.

If all else fails, you just might be one of those people who can't express

You don't say how old your lo is but I had problems expressing anything until ds1 was about 10 weeks old and then I'd get 6oz at a time. Not sure what the difference was though. I used an avert manual pump, tried the tommee tippee manual but it really bruised my nipples, never used an electric one. Am waiting this time due to previous experience, ds2 is 7 weeks. Good luck!