Difficulty expressing

[moanymandy]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I have a
6 week old ds and I have got myself an electric breast pump.
I have tried to express in the evening and was not successful at all. so I tried in the morning when I usually have a good supply and feel fuller. (Although I don't have that full engorged feeling any more) but I didn't even manage to get 2oz and I tried both boobs!

am I doing something wrong?! I'm worrying that I'm not producing enough and this is why my ds is always unsettled and cries alot!
He us ds2 but I never expressed with ds1. I also have one very sore nipple which I'm dreading feeding on!

Does anyone have any experience? Thank you!

Firstly remember that although a pump tries to simulate what your baby does it is not the same. The amount of milk you pump is NOT a true indication of how much milk you have. Is your child well? Does he produce lots of wet/dirty nappies? And is he gaining weight? These are better indication of your supply and you do not need to pump in order to maintain a good supply.

Before you pump it is best to massage your boob first for at least 5 minutes to prepare and stimulate the flow of milk. Some women have a hot shower first and find that helpful. Or tandem feeding can be a good way (pump off one side while your child is feeding off the other). Or have your child need so you can see, smell, feel him. This produces a hormonal response to aid milk flow.

Have you had someone check that your baby is latched on correctly. That is normally why a nipple would be sore

What clairikins said! It takes a while for your body to "learn" how to let down for the pump - I think the first time I tried I got a sort of pathetic dribble. Agree that even looking at your baby (or a picture of baby) can help the milk flow.

Also 2oz is actually not bad for pumping while you're still also feeding pretty regularly - you probably don't want to pump much more than that as you can end up giving yourself oversupply, and 2oz per bag is a good quantity to freeze milk in so you don't end up defrosting more than you need. It's also a good amount for a "practice bottle" if you're trying LO with EBM. I don't think I ever pumped much more than 2oz in one go unless I had missed a feed - I currently express one feed in the middle of the day for DS2 and can swoosh out 5oz in 15 minutes because I'm doing it instead of a feed rather than as well as one.

Thanks for your replies and tips. I went to my local breastmates group this afternoon and the lady advised just the same as you so thank you! I feel alot calmer now! Don't know why I expected to be able to pump so much so soon! Thinking about it logically of course it won't happen like that! I'm going to continue to pump at around the same time each day so I can hopefully build up to it.

Only pumping in small quantities makes perfect sense. I'll remember that!
My nipple was sore from the pump. Don't usually get sore nipples now.

Thanks again for support

Took me ages to ramp up the pumping to anything like a useable amount. And I was pumping a lot for the first four weeks or so (basically every feed). I stopped after that for a couple of months, and only began again when I went back to work at seven months. At that point I could express 100 ml (3.5 oz ish) in a 20 min session if it was first thing in morning. Had a friend who did that in half the time though.

Good luck! You have my sympathies - I found pumping a real chore. I introduced formula at nine months because I hated pumping so much!

I also have a friend who can pump about 5oz in about 5 mins! Think I thought it would be as easy for me but she does it every morning and donates her milk so she is a seasoned pamper!

I had another go tonight, I massaged first had ds feeding on the other boob and got another 2oz with alot less effort and no sore nipple! result!

I feel your pain, was never able to express well with any of my 3 DCs although they all fed well and had a good supply of milk. Luckily was never going anywhere without them but would have been nice to have the option. I second the poster who said your doing well to get 2oz. Never even managed that. Keep going op your doing well.

I am glad you are finding it easier. Everyone expects milk to pour out but really it doesn't. Pumping can be a bit of trial and effort. There is loads of advice on how to get more and how to do it easier. Some works for some people and some works for others.

Really glad your nipple wasn't sore afterwards, that's a really good start.