Hand-expressing tips

[MantaRay]

Oh hun, it sounds like you've had an eventful couple of days

I think hand expressing is very much a learnt art, you are doing really well to be getting good colostrum out already. I think it should get easier and less painful as you get used to it, but I'm not sure how long that takes. The only tips I can think of are to be sure your fingers are on the areola, well back from the nipple, and to be gentle when you are doing it. It shouldn't hurt - it might be that being gentler and taking a bit more time could help. Perhaps a warm compress before expressing might help also.

The ABA Expressing and Storing Breastmilk booklet has some pictures that might help if you can get your hands on it. Do you have internet access at the hospital? If you have a chance, this clip of hand expressing might help: http://video.about.com/breastfeeding/Hand-Expression-Technique.htm>http://video.about.com/breastfeeding...-Technique.htm or http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/...xpression.html. There are others if you google too. There are different techniques and some work better for some mums and other ones for others.

Hopefully your milk will be in really soon so you can try the pump also.

I wish you and your little one all the best