Tips on increasing expressed milk?

[sandj]

Any tips for getting more milk when expressing. DD seems to be sleeping better when we give her a bottle of bm each night instead of on breast. One problem, ... when expressing at night to replace the next nights feed, I'm struggling to get the amount she needs. I only need to be able to express another 1 oz. I find I have to keep stopping and starting to get the amount as it is.

Ive a manual pump... would an electric one be better?

I bought an electric pump but found it much easier with a basic manual pump instead. Don't think theres any easy solution apart from keeping going. IMO the more times you do it the easier it gets.

You will probably get more if you try and express in two goes i.e.say at say 9pm and then at 10pm. If it is to create the next nights feed, theres no reason why you shouldn't sit infront of the tv and just express on and off all evening.

Switching from one side to the other and back again sometimes helped me.

You will get more if you express in the morning when your boobs are fuller. Also if you have the manual dexterity try to express from the other boob while dd is having her first feed of the day, it will help you get a good let down and loads more milk - its not easy though

Here my 2p's worth:

• Have a good pump - My electric pump (Medela) hurt. I loved my Avent Isis manual one (I could walk around or even bf ds on the other side & pump. Takes a bit of practice!)

• drink plenty

• eat well

• pump in the morning, first thing

Good luck!

an electric pump should not make much difference to be honest (the only advantage is the chance to double pump).

Massage the breasts before and during. Alternate sides (eg 5 mins one side, 5 on the other, then 4 of the first side, then 3, then 2, then 1 - 20 mins in total). When you start pumping try and mimc the babies suck - light and fast until the milk starts to flow then slower and deeper.

And don't stress about how much you get - that is the killer !

i bought an electric pump with my third as i'd never been very succesful at expressing. I found it was wonderful so much quicker and easier. purhaps borrow one and see, I hired one for a week from a local breastfeeding group.

I agree with most of these...

Find a method that works for you (the right pump - some swear by one, others find it useless, some can only hand express - its all trial and error).

Time of day varies too - a lot of people swear by first thing in the morning, for me it is best at about 5pm.

Feeding and expressing at the same time works wonders - it helps you let down.

I find that feeding from one side for two feeds, and THEN expressing the non used side helps too - it is full to bursting and easier... might not be good for everyone though.

Thanks everyone.

DD takes from both sides each feed tho. Can I still express on one side when she is feeding from the other? Will I keep producing for when she swaps to that side?.... sorry - I feel daft asking!!

agree with all of these, esp. Sitting Bull

sandj I think baby can make you produce milk on demand if you're lucky enough to have got the hang of breast feeding like you have, but keeping hydrated & well fed will help lots.

I found that I automatically produce a bit of milk from one side when baby's on the other, I think this is the fore milk (no expert but it's quite watery) then the hind milk comes if I whack the pump onto it. (manual avent pump - works for me)

I did the expressing thing too so DP could do the first night feeds as I was quite ill in the first weeks, I found there's a big psychological element too, now I've been breastfeeding for 8mths I don't get the tell tale 'let down' twinges all day, but if I've left DS with PIL's I'll get it as soon as I see him. always amazes me.

thanks hooleymama. going to try it at her next feed... fingers crossed!!