Tips on starting up expressing again - failing miserably

[chocolatekimmy]

Thats if the pump works after I was banging it on the work top in a temper this morning!

Tried for about 40 minutes and got a measly 1.5 ounce. Cried as I felt bad thats all she would have at nursery today. Its the only full day she is there and I feel bad that I couldn't provide.

She is 11 months but I assumed I would have quite a lot of milk in there first thing in the morning. How can I get it going?

I don't have experience of expressing with an older baby, but I expressed for 7 weeks when ds was newborn and in SCBU and didn't want you to go unanswered - so will do my best!

First of all, don't beat yourself up about it. She probably doesn't need that much milk in the day anymore, ds is 10 months and takes formula to nursery although I bf in am and pm - it's not uncommon for him to only drink 1-2oz all day. As long as she is eating and having water/juice she should be fine. If you can manage it, try expressing from one side while she is feeding from the other. If not, keep expressing at the same time every day and your body will hopefuly "catch up" and learn that it needs to make some more milk at that time. If you are trying to express at a time when she doesn't normally feed, your body probably just isn't used to having to provide milk then. Have you had success with your pump in the past? You have to find one that suits you - I found the Avent one brilliant. Try a warm flannel over the breast and massaging towards the nipple before you start, don't know if this still applies when the baby is older but helped me. And relax! (I know it's easy to say! ). Good luck!

I'm not really an expert but here's what I've found. I second trying a different pump. I had Boots own brand which a friend lent me and I had to get another one after I broke it So I got the Avent one and it's been much quicker - I can do an oz in about 3 mins vs 20 mins with the other one. But it did take me a while to get going though - I get more the more I do it and if I don't express every day, I find it's not as fast.

So keep going

Chocolatekimmy good on you for feeding for 11 months you have done really well. I find that some days I express (ds is 3 months) and get about 2 oz, occasionally I get 7 or 8 it is different all the time.
I had a boots own brand expresser which I found did not work all that well, then suddenly it just didn't work at all which was actually a good thing because it meant I could get a refund which they wouldn't have given me otherwise.

Hi,
Expressing for a baby who's now on solids is MUCH harder than for a younger baby as your body simply isn't producing such large quantities of milk anymore.
State of mind is key, you have to want to express and you have to be relaxed. If you're not getting anyway after 15mins I'd personally stop. When it becomes a chore you don't stand a chance.
I've tried lots of pumps, manual and electric. Some are better than others but I wouldn't rush out and get a new one if you have one already.
If baby is sleeping well then first thing in the morning does tend to suit most people but you need to find a time which suits you - mornings can be hectic if baby is going to nursery. Leaning forward can also help and if you ever leak from the other side, maybe get some shells to capture that precious 0.5-1oz.

Personally - with a baby this age, I'd give up even trying to express. By all means carry on bf and good for you that you are, but save it for bedtime and first thing in the morning and enjoy your special time together.

Thank you everyone for your practical advice and support and for taking the time to post. I think I won't beat myself up over it so much now which is definately a good thing