Savina, that is a great weigh gain, very impressive!

Rachel, yes it was fast, but also VERY intense! The girl I shared a room with arrived at the same time (about 3:10am), and delivered at 3:30am. So the midwives at Casey must have been happy with 2 'easy' labours! I have never heard of the '5minute' rule? Stuff that I say! I express as though Tate would be drinking, but it just takes me 1/4 of the time to get the milk out with the pump (btw, a manual Avent, same as yours I think). So because I am only feeding Tate on one side (and topping up with the other if he wants it), my boobs are that full. So after all that rambling, I can tell you that it takes me about 10mins to get that much! I did the expressing after a feed but they still came out REALLY sore. I have some Lansisoh (?) which is helping and I b/f before when we were out and I can honestly say it was a good experience, so we are getting somewhere! I can also tell now when the boob is empty, whereas a few days ago after a feed my boobs would still feel rock hard. I do believe that b/feeding is very hard but with ALOT of hard work, pain (for some), and persistence it gets easier every day (eventually!). I would consider becoming a bit of an advocate for it, a young(ish), person that real women can relate to. My thoughts on the hopspital, in summary, I can say it was OK/good, I def noticed the low water temperature, my midwife was good but not 'there', I was disappointed I had to share a room but it was busy, was pretty peeved when they told me I couldn't have visitors (besides DH) after Tate was born, because I was sharing a room. I refused to follow that rule, I would never turn my parents or DH's Mum or ESPECIALLY my DS away from their new grandchild/brother. Overall it was 'fine'. Ooh Tate crying, back later!