How often should I be expressing?

[Arimeh]

Well yet again, BFing problems are in my house (not surprising really, if I actually had a child who could attach I'd probably die from shock!!!)

So we've made the decision for me to express because I think I'm a pretty good milk maker, but I'm just wondering how often I should be expressing - my milk has only JUST come in this morning (amazingly took longer to come in than it did from both my c-sections?) and I have expressed already because I felt like my boobs were going to explode, and got 20mls after 10 minutes on each side.

How often should I be expressing while being so full? I don't mind generating an awesome supply obviously, as I would love to get a good stockpile happening whilst I have my mum and DH here at home to help with the other kids while I express.

Any help would be awesome!! (Oh, but please no comments about me not having her attached to my breast, because she doesn't open her mouth, she doesn't lower her tongue, and on the rare occasion that she DOES get attached, she pushes her bottom lip up and clamps down on my nipple every single time - so better for my mental health that I don't try to continue cos I get too frustrated with her. Being my last baby, I just want to enjoy her, and not get angry at her because she won't open her bloomin' mouth!)

[[M]umma[M]ia]

i would think as much as u can. Say every 1.5-2 hours?? is that how close they can be when demand feeding? so say... 8-12 feeds in 24 hours. AT the end of the day, i have no bloody idea ! lol. just throwing some ideas out there.

[Ginger]

Mel, i would be expressing every couple of hours atm- just to get things going. Have you tried calling the ABA for some help? They'll be able to give you some definite answers.

[Trillian]

I'm not sure about the expressing, but did they check her for tounge tie? It sure doesn't help attachment issues if they have one LOL. Good luck with it all though Arimeh

[Pretty Butterfly]

As often as baby would suck sweets. Around every 2 hours, but to keep up a supply, you will most likely have to express through the night too, around every 3 hours for now, but you can drop one of those as she gets bigger.....

If you plan on doing this long term, you will need a good electric double pump.... and I am MORE than happy to post you my Ameda Purely Yours... worked full time perfect for 10 months....

You may find a drop in supply after 6 weeks, which is very common with a bubba not at the breast, but if you are happy to take meds if it happens, you can express as long as you want too.....

WELL DONE on deciding to express, its hard work, but SOOOOOOO rewarding babe!!!

[rufalina]

Can I just second the need to express during the night... And I tip I have for night expressing, it is better not to set an alarm, just to wake naturally, and pump... It will not be easy, but that night expressing is quite important in the early days for establishing and maintaining supply. It is when you body is producing the feeding hormones (preggy brain cant think of their name)...

Keep up the sensational work hun!!!

[sneakysparkle]

no advice, just wanted to say good on you!!

[Pretty Butterfly]

Yep, Rufalina is right... prolactin ( I think that it) levels are at their highest around 2-3 in the morning.... great timing huh???

The best way to double pump is get an oldish feeding bra and cut some downways slits in the middle of the cup... your pumping flange will fit in, in with the bra on and done up, hands free pumping!!! It was a LIFESAVER for me!!

Bub may get back to the breast, if you can use a wide bottle, like Advent, to teach her how to open really wide. May not work, but does sometimes.....

[aussienic]

I chose to fully express for my Ds2.. I used to express every 3-4 hours in the beginning then it was every 3-5 hours. however I would do my last pump about 9-11 at night and then go again in the morning. While you have DH home maybe when bub wakes during the night pump then as well while Dh gives bub a bottle..

It is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it,. I got to 10 months fully expressed before I fell pg and my milk dried up on me

Congrats on your new bub

[ezymay]

I understand where you are coming from Mel, in the end for us it was easier to exclusively express. It just became a part of life after a while
You've been given good advice here Mel. I second it all!!! Pumping at night at least for a while, every 3 hours, double pumping and a hands free pumping bra I think are the best. My hands free was one I bought that went over your normal bra so you don't have to change bras to pump. (if you want to try it I don't mind sending it you you? I won't need it for a while and maybe not at all for the next bub) I'd offer you my big medela pump to but its with another friend.
You could always hire a double pump too. The ABA hire them cheaper for members.
And do you have good storage for your EBM? The medela bags are good and the avent cups. Cheap 250ml Happy Baby bottles fit medela pumps instead of using their small ones!! Another BBer told me that and I never looked back.

Good Luck Mel

[Jennifer13]

How are you doing today, Mel? Thinking of you as you do your best (yet again!).

[Arimeh]

Aww thanks Jen xx

I'm doing ok - expressing every 3 or 4 hours - last express finished a few minutes ago, and I got 50mls - from 10 minutes both sides, so I think I'm doing pretty good. I usually get about 30-40 each time.

Just sucks that she is such a hungry bubba, she usually needs much more than I can express, if I have 60 saved up for her, she'll have another 30ml of formula. If I have 30mls, she will drink 90mls of formula - she is such a little piggy!!!!

So while I'm a little bit.. disheartened I guess.. about not being able to completely satisfy her appetite myself - DH and my mum keep telling me that its more than I did for either of my other kids, and every bit that I get into her is better than nothing.

[{sarah}]

its more than I did for either of my other kids, and every bit that I get into her is better than nothing.

Keep reminding yourself that!! Any is better than none.

You are doing so well To be expressing with three small children to look after is amazing, heck I think to be expressing with only one child like Ez did is amazing. YOU ROCK!!