How it express more?

[Aradia]

Hi DD is 4 weeks and I am expressing once a day to try and build up a bit of a store of milk but I'm struggling to get more than an ounce or two each time.

Is there anything I can do it increase the amount I can pump?

DD feeds really well and is gaining weight so I know the milk is there but I just can't seem to get any via expressing. I pump for 20-30 mins each time and the most I've got was 3 oz when I was engorged. Thanks in advance.

Stupid autocorrect! Thread title should be how TO express more!

At this stage that is actually a great amount if milk to express. Well done. Baby at most will only be taking 4 oz so a couple of 2oz seasons and you've got a whole feed.

Expressing its also a different learned skill to feeding and there are a few things you can do to help. When are you expressing? Most mums often find early in the day/first thing in the morning a good time to express. If you want to express regularly then the same time every day is good, this makes your body think it needs to make milk for an extra feed each day. Techniques like having your baby close our a photo, massaging the breast gently first. Being relaxed will all help encourage your letdown.

There is some great information on kellymom website as well.

Not everyone can express, and it's no indicator of supply - my SIL passed on her used-once pump because she couldn't, yet fed her 2 to 15m and 2y respectively.

Is there something you need to leave her for coming up imminently? Would you object to a one-off formula feed if necessary?

4 weeks is very early doors, iirc I didn't have 20-30 minutes to spare between feeds to pump in at that point!

I've found www.kellymom.com to be an excellent resource on breastfeeding, and not just at the newborn phase, so it might be worth reading on there too.

Congratulations

Thanks for the replies. I have a Medela swing electric pump and am expressing from one boob whilst feeding from the other in the morning. Bit tricky but I don't get hardly any at all if I try at other times. I am just hoping to build up a stash for if I need to leave her with DH for any reason. At the moment it's so I can have a shower or get ready without her crying!

Get a stretchy wrap type sling and tie her onto dp in that - then pack them off for a walk. I was getting 30 minutes to soak in a bath by the end of paternity leave that way :o