Does there come a point when you just can't express?

[redandyellowandpinkandgreen]

DS is 8 months and still bf. I feed usually about 4 times a day and haven't tried expressing any milk for at least a couple of months but last time I was able to get a good amount. I have just tried again and I can't even get an ounce. I was going to start building up a supply for my return to work. Is it worth perservering with?

Sorry no help, but would be interested to know. My ds is 6.5 months used to be able to hand pump 7oz in 10 mins tried the other morning and it took 20 mins to get an oz

It can get more difficult to express as time goes on and as supply goes from being hormone driven to the amount needed driven (it's wasteful for your body to make more milk than your baby needs so will stop making extra milk 'just in case' when supply and demand is well established) .

You could try pumping the other side whilst feeding in the morning as that seems to be, anecdotally at least, a good time/way to pump. It might take doing this every day for a week or so for your body to get the message though!

Or picking a time of day and always pumping then, perhaps whilst thinking about baby, smelling baby's top or looking at a picture/video of baby, can work well too.

You may find that when you are back at work pumping is easier (though no guarantees!).

Thanks but there is no way I could pump while feeding unless I find away of pinning DS's arms to his sides! I'll have another go in a bit and try hard to think milky thoughts.

If only they made baby sized strait jackets for pumping mums

Good luck with the milk thoughts. There are some pumping relaxation sound tracks on the web which might help too.

redandyellow I don't express, but when I feed my 9mo twins together I sometimes get dt2 to stand between my legs whilst sat on the sofa (dt1 in a rugby hold on other side). in this position he needs at least one hand on my legs for balance, which helps keep his hands away from his sister's nose. I think it'll only work whilst his standing is a bit wobbly, and I've no idea how your ds's standing is, but could possibly be a short term solution for you?

Yes I couldn't express from about 9 months on. I'm still feeding at 2.9 years though so it doesn't mean anything is wrong with your supply.

You might find if you're going back to work when he's 9-10 months or older that he is fine with just water and food in the day. You could ask nursery/childminder to try and make sure he has some dairy, e.g. yoghurt or cheese every day if you are worried about calcium etc, but generally they just make up for it in the evenings and at weekends.