Is 5 weeks too late to start?

[Janie]

Oh, and just so you know, you don't have to save up a whole feed for her, if you express say 20ml, you can give that to her, and then however much formula you think she needs on top of that

[Nelle]

I'll just endorse everything that Janie said. :P Def find a lactation consultant/help that you LIKE, that will make a big difference I reckon.

I wonder (just thinking aloud really), if they could help sort the sucking issues too - Si almost drove me barmy and to the point of a LC when he was born, thankfully because I'd breastfed Riv, I knew what I was aiming for, but it was still tricky - if Si was my first breastfed bub we'd have been a royal mess.

All the best whatever you decide mate.

[kelebek]

: I didn't really like the LC she wasn't very nice, and I didn't get a good vibe, so I was too scared to say that I wouldn't have minded trying to express her feeds... Stupid I know...

TBH Mel she probably wouldn't have been much help, I didn't find the staff in the hospital very helpful & I wanted to b/f so for someone like yourself I think this is a completely normal reaction so NO you are not stupid.
Just wanted to 2nd what all the other ladies have said you can certainly express for longer than 3 mnths. I remember a lady appeared on Oprah who had 6 babies at once & she expressed for 6 mnths before drying up (she expressed 50 - 60 bottles a day which is why she probably dried up ) Not that anyone expects you do that just that, I'm just saying it can be done.
You can hire pumps & they do make it easier IMO.There are herbs & drinks that help increase your supply if you want, as you already know these bb ladies are great & I am sure there will always be someone to answer any questions you have about this & to support you to do this.
Goodluck with whatever you decide.

[{sarah}]

Don't think you're stupid for not talking to the LC, I wouldn't have either if she wasn't nice!!!

If you are happy to express for Mehkelti then I say go for it, like the others said 3 months would be great for her. Three days is even great for her!

[thepixie]

No offence to any LC's here, but some of the LC's I met in hospital were a bit on the Nipple-Nazi side, I found the ordinary midwives a lot better. Definitely try a pump, I have an Avent Isis electric pump which is great - it was a bit tricky to start off with though, so don't get discouraged if you can't figure it out the first time. Now that I've got the hang of it, it's easy.
look forward to hearing how you get on!

[Arimeh]

Thanks guys
I've decided to give it a try No harm in trying right? We're going to a baby shop today to buy a pump (cos if I can't get any milk out, I'm having another baby so I'll just use it from the beginning with that bub)

Thanks for the recommendation Pixie chick - any one else agree with that?

I was having a little manual squeeze before and got 6 droplets out.. woohoo..lol.. (baby steps right?) and then I did it again just before and got about the same, but this time it was the colour of regular milk, instead of a bit watery.... so that could be a positive sign yeah??

[Kmn]

You'll probably get most out just after a shower, too.
Be a bit gentle with the pump - don't go so nuts that you end up with sore nipples!
And you may want to get some lansinoh, which helps with sore nipples, just in case.

Good luck, and good on you for having a go.

As far as pumps are concerned - what sort of bottles and teats do you currently use? It may be easiest to get the pump from the same mob, so that you can just screw a teat on and give it to Mehkelti. If you are wanting to lay in a serious milk supply then the grunty hospital pumps are the most effective - they can be hired from the ABA or from chemists (they cost over $500 to buy, so you want to be sure that the experiment is going to work first!).

[Arimeh]

kmn - yup will definitely be taking it easy.. I remember the slaughtered nipples from my brief time BFing DS... and i have Lansinoh - which incidentally - is fantastic if you have cracked heels...

ETA - I just saw your post. I have pigeon bottles for mehkelti - she couldn't work out how to suck any other teat, and that was the one we had the most success and least wastage going down the front of her top!!!! I have some Tommee tippee bottles in the fridge though cos we brought the electric steriliser... is the TT pump any good?

[Kmn]

Will try it on the heels - never thought of that!

[Janie]

LOL Mel, did the Pigeon bottles go alright in the end hey?

[Arimeh]

Janie - yeah the pigeon bottles are good - she still stuffs around with the teat with her tongue most times, and cries like its not in her mouth - when it is but she's not leaking as much as she used to, however, feeds can still take an hour... (and sometimes thats 50mls in an hour!!!!)

Maybe EBM will be more tasty for her that she'll drink it faster.. lol

[meow]

I was having a little manual squeeze before and got 6 droplets out.. woohoo..lol.. (baby steps right?) and then I did it again just before and got about the same, but this time it was the colour of regular milk, instead of a bit watery.... so that could be a positive sign yeah??

A very positive sign!! I BF full time and I struggle to get that out! You're a born milker... I think the expressing should go really well for you

[Janie]

LOL Mel, DS hated bottles for the first 12 weeks (and yes, it was really tricky to give them to him), but the EBM bottles were much easier than the formula ones! He definitely preferred the taste

I think if you're going to be expressing a fair bit, an electric pump is the way to go. I know it's more costly, but it is sooooo much easier. Sure, if you're only using once in awhile, then a manual pump does a great job, but on a daily basis? Way too much like hard work for me Any Medela pump is great, and I've heard the Avent is good, but have heard mixed reviews on it.

[Arimeh]

Thanks for the tips and support guys... I'll have to see what the baby shop has to offer once DS wakes up from his nap

Will let you know how I go with my experiment!!!

[MantaRay]

I used a Medela mini-electric and found that really good. Best of luck hun.

[BekZ]

You can hire electric pumps..Thats an option too.

[Jewel]

I think it's a great idea Mel!

I expressed for Hayden for 5weeks, and I loved that he was having a bottle of my milk per day. It made me feel like I wasn't such a failure and wasting my milk.
I didn't have a very big supply from the starts so I gave up the other week, but he got some and it was better then none at all and missed out like DS1 did.

Good luck with it all.
xx

[Snowy Love]

Mel, If you want I can lend you my breast pump - the only problem being I can't get to Nambour until Wednesday - if you can get to Coolum today or tomorrow or after 4pm Monday or Tuesday you can take it. Just PM me if you want it.