Expressing the odd feed and blocked ducts

[hopingforanother]

Hi
I've given Ds the odd expressed feed when bf is a bit impossible (on a packed train/ am not home etc). Whenever I've done this, I've expressed around -a bit before or a bit after - the time I would have bf to avoid getting engorged. Each time I've ended up with a blocked duct (ow) despite expressing 6-7 ounces somewhere around the time ds had the bottle. Is there anything I can do to prevent this happening?

It's made me feel a little bit worried about reducing bf to go back to work/ stopping bf!

Massaging the breast before and during pumping will help - you have to be quite firm about it.

I struggle with blocked ducts when pumping more - DD is so much better at getting the milk out of me!

Oh, do make sure that you're not pressing the pump into you unevenly or too hard as this could possibly cause a blocked duct itself.

Actually one of the blockages always seems to originate in the same place- just up from where the edge of the pump rests, maybe I am pressing it in- will be careful not to next time! I also get one much higher near my armpit, not nice at all.... Thanks japhrimel, I will pay more attention when pumping, hopefully will help!

I've been making sure to massage and not press pump in and it hasn't made any difference- still getting blocked ducts- it seems to be the actual expressing itself - could it be my avent electric pump?

It's probably just that it isn't nearly as effective at draining the breast as the baby - no pump is.

It seems to happen whenever I express, whether I'm expressing a skipped feed (rare) or an oz here or there to freeze or use in food. Its really annoying and sore. Bloody hate expressing! May try a different pump...