Expressed milk, 3 week old

[Laugs]

I've been expressing for some feeds for the past few days as I have thrush and my nipples are sore. Up to now I've been expressing immediately before a feed, but the problem is trying to get enough out at the time before the baby gets all worked up. This often doesn't happen and I end up feeding him from the breast anyway.

So, this morning, after he was up all night, I am now awake before him and have expressed 2oz. My breasts don't feel empty, but obviously not as full. Would it be ok if I save this milk for his cluster feeding later and feed him from my breast this morning, or would that mess with my supply/ would he not get enough from me this morning? He is 3 weeks old.

laugs have you been to doctor? are you and baby getting treatment?

breasts work on a demand thing,the more that is demanded ,the more you produce...and alternate boobs too. A warm-hot shower sometimes helps stimulate the milk too. Use the expressor as often as you want and then you might produce more milk.

if you produce alot,it can be frozen too.

has mw told you not to feed from breast?

We've been to a doctor who has treated him but not me as she said the medication was not suitable for breastfeeding . I'm planning to see someone else when they re-open after Christmas, but the midwife said it would be fine to express until things have cleared up. It does actually feel quite a lot better without treatment, I'm more worried about reinfecting him and the cycle continuing.

I know about the demand thing, I just wasn't sure whether me effectively demanding more from my breasts this morning, and less this evening will mean my milk production in the evening would diminish, or does it not work like that?

Sorry meant to thank you for the very quick replies!

IIRC, I used canesten cream when I had nipple thrush. The MW told me to apply the cream immediately after each feed and just wash well before feeding.

With little ones the thrush can work it's way through and can irritate their bottoms. (sorry if you already know this) so I was told to use canesten on DS's bum too.

btw - you can express after feeding too. I found that expressing after a hot bath worked wonders. At 3 weeks though DS had a spurt and doubled the amount he fed, which I struggled to keep up with.

HTH

sorry for babbling - My DS was 3wo at christmas and I've been reminiscing :-p

and having re-read your post - it is perfectly OK to feed from the breast (is there a reason you don't want to?) and to express as well.

Happy reminiscing IMoveTheStars! I think I might've had bad advice but the GP told me I'd have to stop BF if I wanted to use anti-fungal cream.

I feel ok feeding from the breast this morning as it's not too sore, but I didn't know if it was ok to use my expressed milk this evening and miss a feed then, or if it would affect my supply. At the moment I've been trying to use the expressed milk as soon as possible to keep my breasts in sync with baby's feeding patterns, but I'm not sure if I'm being too literal about it!

laugs, that doctor didn't sound very helpful. So far as I know, there is no reason for you to stop feedinng yourself, unless the pain is unbearable. The trouble with thrush is that you could have it and give to baby then he gives it back to you. I thought you were supposed to treat both (but don't quote me on that)!!
found a leaflet about thrush and breastfeeding here it does say the normal thrush tablets are not suitable duing breastfeeding. But there are other treatments. It also suggests some other things. Do you have a number for a breastfeeding support in your area? They might be able to come see you and offer some support with positions or latching on which might help with the pain.

Yes, everything I've read since the doctor's appointment says that both mother and baby need to be treated.

The pain was bad enough to make me dread every feed and consider giving up, hence the expressing. It isn't any more, but I'm not sure if that's because it's clearing up or because they're being sucked on less.

I suspect our problem is to do with positioning as well as thrush though. I've seen a BF advisor several times, but it hasn't quite clicked into place yet.

laugs, please don't give up if you don't want to. Keep on seeing the bf advisor and keep at it. I had a much harder time bf my second child than my first for some reason and took about 6 weeks with mw and bf supporter to get the hang of it!!
I found it very difficult with lots of conflicting advice about the best way to do it. I guess the best you can do is to spend time looking at advice then try your best to fit it in with your personal situation.
Have a quick look for some bf websites which have some videos you can watch which I found helpful, I am researching ready for bf number 3!!

Thanks, that was reassuring. This is also my second child and I foolishly thought because I'd done it before it would be easy this time. Instead it's been much harder. I'll keep at it though. Good luck with number 3!

I've looked at some videos online which were useful. I'm thinking of getting DH to record us so I can see if what I'm doing is any different.

Laugs I'm really pleased you have found something helpful.
my mum is very dismissive of being "taught" to bf, she says "women in the jungle just have to teach themselves and make the best of it, blah, blah, blah" It really gets on my nerves tbh, but I guess she does have a point. Sometimes you need to listen to all the advice and then make your own way in a way that suits you!!!

Yes that's true. With DD it took us a few weeks but we worked it out ourselves eventually. This time I've had much more help and also more problems! Thanks for your help - it's nice to know you're not alone.

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