Congrats on the arrival of your DD, and hugs for the difficult situation you're in. My thoughts are with you and your little one (I'm guessing by your signature you weren't expecting all of this for quite a while?).
When DS was born 15 weeks ago, I ended up expressing most of the colostrum (by hand) and went on to express for 7 weeks (by pump).
My first bit of advice would be not to let the midwives/LCs at the hospital touch your BBs! They are so rough!
I'm assuming you're keeping back off the nipple and expressing from the areola??
The hospital I was in wet and froze baby singlets to put on the breasts - these really helped.
If you're on antibiotics from your delivery, make sure you start taking a probiotic (eg inner health plus). If you get thrush, you can break open the capsule, add some water, and paint it on your nipples (I'm assuming wash off before the express).
Heat before the express can help things flow well - a warm drink or a warm facewasher over the nipple.
I believe the natural remedy arnica can help with bruising (available in a spray for under the tongue). I had it after my c-section.
Take any pain meds they will give you - don't be in any more pain than you have to be.
Once you get started with pumping post back here or pm for some pumping tips. Something to bear in mind is olive oil on the flanges works really nicely as a lubricant. Maybe olive oil on your fingers would help a bit with the expressing?
HTH - I'm afraid I haven't done too much by hand. Please keep us posted with how you're doing.
I don't know how to do those little hug people, but if I did I'd send you a dozen! Look after yourself hun (or better yet, get everyone around you to look after you!)
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