Tried to express and nothing ...

[rubyslippers]

I have a mini medela pump

tried straight after a feed and got barely anything - literally drops and was going for a few mins

what did i do wrong?

Don't do it after a feed - do it when you feel full e.g. first thing in the morning.

I never get anything unless I get a letdown - do you feel your letdowns?

I started expressing milk when DD was about 1 mth old... lucky if I got 1 oz out the first time. As Ricante mentions, best to try when you are full. My 'best' time was first feed in the morning, when I was full. I would pump one side while DD was on the other. As I got better at this, then i was pumping more and more and at different times of the day. It takes a bit of practise and you are also encouraging the breasts to produce more milk. Keep it up and don't feel disheartened.

thanks

will try again tomorrow

don't feel my let down all the time (get a strong tingling) - i think it is really strong on the left side as DD sometimes has a bit of trouble feeding (coughing and pulling on and off)

have put it all back in the steriliser ...

DD been on a mega feed marathon today which may not have helped (6 week growth spurt i think?!)

sorry to butt in but what does let down feel like? im trying to re-start breastfeeding after a 6 week gap (using fenugreek)....i get a sort of tingling in my nipple area? is that it?

Mine's a kind of 'sharp tingling'!
I'm an experienced pumper - never get any after a feed. The best way for me is to express until flow stops, then turn the pump off and wait for a minute or so. When I turn it back on again I always get a second let down. Is it a single pump? Double pumps do increase what you can express, if you're going to need to be a serious expresser.