Hi all
Do any of you express milk? If so how often do you express an dhow much do you get? How do you find it?
I express only once a day, sometimes I dont do it for two days, but I want to increase this as I really want to try and start breastfeeding again.
For those who express, which pump do you use and how do you find it?
Re: Expressing Milk
I did until about 5 or six month.
Usually I nursed then pumped and wouldn't even get an ounce. When I skipped a feeding, at most I would get five ounces, but usually it was 2-3.
Eventually my routine became pumping before I slept, while my hubby gave her a bottle feed to help her make it through the night.
Re: Expressing Milk
I did until about 5 or six month.
Usually I nursed then pumped and wouldn't even get an ounce. When I skipped a feeding, at most I would get five ounces, but usually it was 2-3.
Eventually my routine became pumping before I slept, while my hubby gave her a bottle feed to help her make it through the night.
Re: Expressing Milk
By the way, if you want to increase your supply, you need to pump for 15-20 minutes at least every three hours.
Re: Expressing Milk
I pump but my story is a bit different. Baby was born
premature at 31 weeks n has been in hospital nicu for
almost a month now. I have no option besides pumping.
I use the hospital grade medela n get no more than 2 ounces
per pumping session even if i pump for half an hour.
Idunno if supply will increase as baby starts drinkin more
cuz right now nurses give him only an ounce
per feed every 3 hrs. Sumtimes i see him wanting more
in between feed times but they refuse to feed until its his caretime :(
Re: Expressing Milk
your supply is only going to increase if you let your baby suck... the way a baby's mouth works the nipple, a breast pump can never copy that movement.
i used to pump every 3 hours... let baby feed.. and then pump... 10 to 15 mins each nipple... baby never took to bfeeding due to an infection he was born with that made the drs put a feeding tube down his nose and so i was left to pump only so production took a hit... after a week.. when i did put him to breast, he refused wanting milk fast and without having to make an effort... kher... i woudl still let him suck for a bit and then pump... it only lasted upto the 3rd month when the nurse told me to forget bout it... and to just give him the bottle as i was making no more than 2 oz at every pumping session...
how long has it been since you have bfed? its really not something that you can give up on for a long period of time and then come back to... your nipple wont allow for it either...
i had an electric medala pump...
Re: Expressing Milk
i recently read an article about adoptive mothers wanting to breastfeed eventhough they've never been pregnant!!! apparently its possible to induce lactation with alottt of pumping (whether you produce milk or not) and prolactin. you might want to discuss it with your doc n just try to increase pumping frequency. i'm trying to increase frequency and it seems to have made a slight difference in only 2 days :)
Re: Expressing Milk
pakgrl, I can relate to you as I also had a premature baby in 35th week. They kept her in nursery care for a week. So I had no option other than expressing the milk as I wanted my baby to have mother feed. Initially, it was quite painful experience as I had engorgement. everytime I express, I did it for 10 min or so and a very small amount was extracted. Initially, baby was not fed from mouth and was on IV fluids so during that time instead of wasting the milk, I gave it to my 2 year old son.
Re: Expressing Milk
I pump but my story is a bit different. Baby was born premature at 31 weeks n has been in hospital nicu for almost a month now. I have no option besides pumping. I use the hospital grade medela n get no more than 2 ounces per pumping session even if i pump for half an hour. Idunno if supply will increase as baby starts drinkin more cuz right now nurses give him only an ounce per feed every 3 hrs. Sumtimes i see him wanting more in between feed times but they refuse to feed until its his caretime :(
Pkgrl I know how you are feeling. My daughter was born at 30 weeks. She was also given feed every 3 hours. They started with an ounce and till she had the g tube (feeding tube) in her mouth the amount went up to 30 ml. I used to express milk for her but it was never sufficient enough so she was also given formula by the NICU staff. Till your baby is being given milk via tube you will have to follow that strict schedule. Insha allah soon when your baby will start drinking on his own they will tell you to first start with cup and spoon.
In my view one thing that affects the milk supply most is the stress level. When you are in stress your milk supply reduces.