Hand expression or electric pump?

[dizzee]

Hi, I'm currently in the process of relactating for my ds. A week ago I had almost no milk (just a few drops) after a month away from bf. I started with a double electric pump (which I've used previously with success). I pumped every 2 hours and never got more than a couple of drops. So I started hand expressing and got a lot more milk - only 5-10ml, but enough to collect in a bottle and feed to my ds. I've also started getting a few sprays of milk as well whilst hand expressing.

So my question is: Is it better to:

A) Pump 15 mins every 2 hours. More stimulation, but not much milk removal.

B) Hand express - about 3 mins every hour. Less nipple stimulation, but more effective milk removal.

C) Both!!

I think the answer is probably to do both, but I just wondered if anyone had any experience with this.
I also have an SNS, but I have only been able to use that about twice a day (for 20-30 mins at a time) as DS does start to get a bit frustrated after a while.

Both is def the way to go - lots of stimulation, and then really effective milk removal at the end. Doing breast compression whilst pumping also helps to remove the milk more effectively when your breasts are less full.

When I was pumping for DS (a year of 5 days a week), I always did this and found that it was def the best way to do things

Congratulations on keeping with it

Wow good on you dizzee! I've no personal experience of what you're doing but whatever you do don't give up hand expression, even if it's just some massage and nipple rolling prior to the pump, as this stimulates the hormones much much more. I expect you've tried warm flannels, expressing after a bath/shower etc as well. Keep up the good work, it's definately working!
x