BF going okay but can't express anymore?

[silverswan]

DD 5 months, completely BF to date, just started weaning. Was also expressing (with electric pump) most days so DH could use if I was out - found this quite easy, could get 5oz or so in about 5-10 mins. Also used to wear a shell to collect milk from other breast when feeding or expressing that quite often would fill completely.

Now - pretty much overnight - seem to have lost ability to express, can pump for ages and only get oz or 2 at most, sometimes nothing. The shells stay dry when either BF or pumping. Has this happened to anybody else and is there anyway of reversing it, am worried rest of milk supply will be next to dry up? Only thing I can think of is that weaning has reduced milk demand and body has adjusted down, but actual feeding supply seems to be fine.

It is normal and doesn't mean your milk supply is drying up - don't worry.

Sorry I don't have more info but the above I do know

Same here. Used to express easily, these days it's a struggle (DS is 5months too). I used to feel the let down pretty quickly when expressing, these days I can express for 10 mins and there will be no let down and little milk.

Apparently expressed milk volume decreases once milk supply regulates. That doesn't mean you haven't got enough milk, you have just the right amount your baby needs (of course if you are weaning her then supply is adjusting accordingly and if you'd like to keep it up then should express whenever bf is replaced with other food/bottle).

I found that I can express a decent amount if I express while breastfeeding. It's a bit of a pain (as my DS likes to grab and squeeze the tube and interfere with the process!) but let-down kicks in quickly when my baby bf and once it's in the milk flow increases greatly. Quite often I manage 3oz from what I though was an empty breast so apparently the milk is there.

I had similar experience. Really struggled to express with first DC, determined with 2nd and started earlier (i.e. before 6 weeks). Successful to start with, tailed off dramatically at 6 weeks. Didn't bother for number 3! Just felt grateful my milk supply matched DCs demand so efficiently. But then I was very lucky with BF as never leaked, spurted etc, never used pads as never needed to.

Oh, and I continued to feed successfully until each DC was around 2 1/4, first one largely exclusively until around 7 months!

Same here. Only manage to express a few ounces now and the shell no longer fills up. Don't get through as many breastpads though! I can't work out how to manage to express while feeding - but DD is quite a fidgety feeder who needs help to be in the right position, so don't really have a free hand. Any tips?

Thanks for replies, sorry didn't get to logon last night. I've tried feeding and expressing at same time - managed when DD younger but suspect now would have less chance as she's much more wriggly and distractable. Think it's only the industrial hospital-type pumps that will stay on by themselves, though once the suction kicks in, could sometimes just hold mine on with arm then have a hand free. The position DD needs least help in is when I am laying down so would theoretically be able to express like this but not tried it have you belindarose?
So think am going to have to accept that expressing may largely be thing of past and just to continue BF myself, and get in some formula for the rest just in case.

II've just had the same thing although my DS is a bit younger. I've replaced the valve in the pump and it has started working again - plenty of milk coming out easily. Might be worth a go?

Have some spare valves so will try this - thankyou!