What are pros and cons of expressing- does it cause masitis

[Lanzy]

I’m really keen to avoid masitits but would like to try expressing/pumping. I had hoped to BF but struggling with pain and also would like partner to help with feeds. Just wondered if expressing is beneficial? Is there anything else that will help and to do? Does it need done during night etc

It can be done at any time of day but you usually get more milk out in the morning, if you're planning to exclusively pump then you'll need to do at around the clock.
It does take some practice and patience to get the hang of, you probably won't get much out at first and it will be quite slow. It does get easier.

I haven't had mastitis but I think if you feed and/or pump regularly, evenly from both breasts then you have a better chance of avoiding it. I think you need to make sure each breast is emptied each time and as baby is better at getting milk out than a pump then that's where the difference could lead to blockages. Manually massaging and squeezing can help get the dregs out at the end of a pump.

I recommend a hakaa pump if you wanted to express while you feed, but this depends on how you want to do it.