Expressing - what am I doing wrong?

[1Pinkfluffyelephant]

I manage to express around 12-15oz a day using an electric pump. However I barely express anything without doing compressions the whole time. Also when flow completely stops- I can hand express and lots comes out yet the pump won’t get any more??! I have tried adjusting the settings on the pump and two different shield sizes. Am I doing something wrong.

Pumps get out tiny amounts, unless you have something like the medala double pump that you can only rent. Baby can extract much more

I found the best time to express was 1st thing in the morning as I was 'full' any time after that was a waste time.

Yes, first thing in the morning might help, as can expressing whilst feeding the baby on the other breast (though slightly awkward to manage!). How old is your baby?

I can get a total of about 5/6 oz first thing in the morning but anything after than is in little 2/3oz each time. But then I don’t always get the chance to express enough either. I am worried if my breast aren’t being emptied properly, it’s not then sending the message that more needs to be produced so my supply is just going to get worse?

I used to express first thing (like 4am), then feed the baby directly as they are more efficient at withdrawing milk from the breast than the pump, that way the breast is properly drained.

Does the white flappy bit need replacing?

Are you exclusive pumping? Have you checked out Kellymom?

For exclusive pumping I was told to pump a minimum of 8 times per 24hrs and at least twice in the night time because of something to do with hormones. It is easy to sit feeding a new born all day because you love them and they are so cute - to sit being pumped by a machine is not so appealing !! You have to do it a lot to keep up supply. Good luck.