Expressing milk for prem baby

[Loveallmyboys]

I had my little one on Monday at 30+5. He's fldoung really well, even had a little go at feeding from me this morning with some success! Awesome.
Aaanyway, I'm pumping milk for him but my boobs are still like rocks! I'm getting a pretty decent amount off too. 25ml off each at last pump! How do I keep on too of this and make sure I'm draining properly? The fullest part of my breast still feels solid, even after 10mins of pumping... Save me from my swollen mammaries!

Congratulations! My 30 week preemie is now a hefty one year old. Don't worry about draining fully, your boobs will go down a bit eventually. Just pump regularly, every 3-4 hrs for 20 mins or so. Good luck

Ugh thanks! The pain/itch is keeping me awake! Still in hospital too, so the beds aren't the best. I've got an 11 year old 29 weeker at home. Little miracles aren't they :)

Congratulations! I remember spending a lot of time pumping at the neonatal unit and at home. 25mls isn't much, don't be afraid to keep pumping until you are fully drained, you'll see that only drops will be expressed towards the end. And you will feel so much better!

As your baby gets heavier you'll find he requires more milk. I remember the nurse telling me one day that they had run out- and I had thought I was producing a lot! Any extra you pump is very useful to take home when you are discharged. Frozen breast milk has a very good shelf life.

Good luck, I remember feeling a bit like a cow at the beginning but I also remember feeling so happy to be able to do something to support my precious little son.

Welcome to your little one! It's great that he's doing so well.

Congrats also on the great milk output!

I found that one of my breasts didn't seem to be emptying properly at the start and it got very uncomfortable, but I managed to solve the problem with breast compressions. Basically, while you're expressing, massage the solid area of your breast (and by 'massage', I kind of mean 'press vigorously'!) - it'll help the area to drain properly. Doing it in the shower can also work well (though you'll obviously lose any milk that comes out). Also, I've been told that applying hot compresses and doing breast massage prior to expressing can help with engorgement, and that cold compresses alleviate the painful feeling.

I hope that helps. The 'Breast and bottle feeding' section of the website is surprisingly full of knowledgeable people when it comes to expressing!

Congrats on your LO and to you as well on feeding :)

I have to pump 2-4 hours or I get uncomfortable. I can pump around 15-20oz in a 20 minute sitting and still feel "full" afterwards.

Massaging and hot compresses help me on the days when I constantly feel full. I'd recommended trying them. And like PP said you may get some more helpful advice on the bottle and breast feeding.

Is there someone who can show you massage and compression? I had to mash and pound my boobies to get milk out and reduce the discomfort.