Expressing and milk supply

[mollysmummy1970]

Just a quick question, if I only express and don't feed DS myself, will my milk supply dry up? This is what ive been told by the health visitor but I was a bit confused as to how it was any different aslong as it was being stimulated iykwim?

I expressed for 6 weeks with DS as he wouldn't latch. My supply was just fine. You have to be very disciplined and pump at every feed though, even through the night.

Some women, however, find they can't get anything when they pump.

It's much easier to feed directly if you can. Is there a reason you want to express instead?

I expressed for 6 weeks after dd refused to latch on even with nipple shields, and poor bf guidance. I was lucky and was getting 3-4oz every 3 hrs! Just be prepared for your dc to still root around as they can smell the milk. You need to pump every feed even during night as another poster said. I stopped expressing at 6/7 weeks and no exclusively ff, but even now at 12 weeks I am leaking!

Thanks for your replies.

Yes, Ive had a bad time due to poor latch because of tongue tie, my nipples were in a terrible state and it just seems to work better for the both of us, he's getting enough and it means I can still feed him breastmilk and I'm happier because I'm not in pain.

If you'd like to try again, get someone to help you with your latch. If the TT has been snipped he will probably still be able to crack it. Your local breastfeeding cafe could help, or someone in your community midwifery or HV team.

It's great that he's getting breastmilk, but you have to be super committed to express long term.