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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Hand pump pain

6 replies

macneil · 22/01/2007 02:32

Sorry, I have another breast pump question. I decided to keep renting the hospital one, because I have to come back to England in April and don't want to carry a large heavy expensive one I've bought here in Canada that won't plug in back home. But this morning I fried the plastic bits of my hospital one by putting it in the microwave steriliser and forgetting to add the water. The hospital is closed today, so I sent the husband out to babies r us to get the cheapest hand pump, the medela liberty. I used it once and even while I was using it got shooting pains on the upper side of the breasts (not terrible pains but achy ones) and now, two hours after using it, my breasts hurt all over, really. This doesn't happen with the electric pumps. Is it likely I pumped too often? Too hard? Not often enough? Am I endangering my milk supply by damaging my breasts and would it be better to not use at all until I get the replacement parts for the electric one, or would it be better to keep hand pumping? Any thoughts would be gratefully welcomed. My milk supply isn't great, despite the domperidone, so I don't dare mess with it.

OP posts:
kiskidee · 22/01/2007 02:57

i think it has more to do with the price of a pump being equivalent to the quality of one. (i understand why you bought a cheapie though) it won't damage your milk supply or your breasts (long term) just using it as a stand in. have you tried hand expressing? there are webpages with picture how to's.

kiskidee · 22/01/2007 03:02

how to
with images

macneil · 22/01/2007 03:34

Thanks, kiskidee, I'll give it a try. I just thought the cheaper one would be more effort, not that it would give a different suck, but my knockers are really killing me now. I think it's probably technique more than anything else. I only have to get through to midday tomorrow, when I can buy more of the plastic. I am so hysterical about milk supply now. Was pumping at 5am and driving my husband crazy last night.

OP posts:
MrsJohnCusack · 22/01/2007 04:18

it's probably just because the pumping action is different - I could notice the difference between my medela electric one (which I also fried bits of!) and my avent hand one, if I suddenly switched between the two it could really hurt.
I don't think it will hurt your supply. to keep it going til you get your normal one back hand expressing is easier than it seems and you may be able to avoid the pain!

kiskidee · 22/01/2007 09:17

maybe initially trying the hand technique in the shower or bath as it also will help you to relax and the wetness will make your skin slide. also if it helps maybe moisturise your breasts with almond or olive oil (straight from the kitchen will do) as it helps to have your hands slide over your skin.

kiskidee · 22/01/2007 09:18

((((hugs))) too.

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