Pumping almost zero milk

[ImaSababa]

DD is two weeks old tomorrow. I breastfeed her almost constantly on demand. I just tried to express so DH can take over one of the feeds, and I was shocked (and upset!) to find that I could pump only a few drops over 30 minutes.

No wonder DD is always at the breast if she's getting so little!

I was on antibiotics until yesterday - could that be why I seem to have so little milk?

DD has almost regained her birth weight so she must be getting nutrition.

Am I just not able to express??

I always found it easiest to pump from one side while the baby was feeding from the other side.

You need the let-down reflex.

Try pumping in the morning, or even between 1 am and 5 am when the hormones are strongest.

Your daughter is probably getting what she needs if there are lots of wet nappies and she's gaining weight.

First off don't panic. Expressing is no indication of supply. Baby is way better at getting milk out.

Cluster feeding is normal and nothing to worry about. It's a really important part of establishing supply and it gets less as baby gets older. In a few weeks you'll notice it only happening during growth spurts

If she's regained birth weight and is doing around 6 wet nappies a day she is getting enough.

Don't worry about expressing at the moment. It won't give you the break you want really. Baby will still ask for breast and you have to express the feed you give so your body knows it was wanted.

Get your husband to take her for a walk so you can have a shower / sleep.

She is just getting to the age when a witching hour might start. This is tons of fussiness every evening. It's a phase and will pass. Feeding through it helps

Thanks everyone! Great advice.

Don't worry, I found it took a while with each of mine before I could express a decent amount. It takes practice. I found it best first thing in the morning.

What kind of pump are you using? With my first, I remember au hospital using their electric pumps and it would take about ten minutes of pumping before the milk started coming out.