Expressing and breastfeeding help

[wingingit1987]

Baby no.6 for me- have breastfed all my older children. However, this baby has just had a 2 week NICU admission and was fed via an NG tube. I was expressing since birth and he is now on a mix of expressed milk via a bottle and breastfeeding. However- he will feed off both sides and still want a bottle with anything from 60-90mls of breastmilk. And my boobs often feel engorged, even after nursing him. Is this normal while my supply adjusts? Expressing is completely new to me as the rest only ever breastfed. Any other hints/tips/advice.

Make sure you have the right flange size. I got mastitis when I went back to work and started pumping. I was getting plenty of milk out but not all of it clearly. I saw a lactation consultant and this helped:

• flange size - i was using 19mm but she measured me as 16mm
• nipple cream - absolute game changer, must use every single time
• pump for longer, even after you stop getting milk, as it may stimulate a second let down

-if you feel a pain in your armpit, like if you stretched it too much in the gym, get on it with ibuprofen and ice as it's a sign of inflammation and can turn into a blocked ducts/mastitis.

Also, if you have a pumping bra, don't wear it all day. They're very tight and contributed to me getting mastitis and an yeast infection under my boobs (they were so tight, I guess I was sweating a lot)

Thank you!