Hi, I'm hoping someone will be able to give me a few tips here. I'm breast feeding and i'm also using formula milk as a supplement.

I've got a breast pump and was hoping to be able to express milk. I've tried it a couple of times but i've found it uncomfortable bordering on painful and very slow, hard work. I managed to get a little milk from one side, and only a few drops from the other side. Am I doing something wrong? Any tips on how to make it easier/more productive? :help:

Sorry to intrude here but try this:

http://www.hollister.com/us/files/pdfs/breastfeeding/use_pump_storage.pdf

Theres some good information on there.

Some breast pumps work better for different people. I found the one by Avent (http://www.avent.com/uk/en/breastfeeding_avent_isis.php) to be the best for me. Try having your baby near to you when you are using it, it usually helps the milk to flow better. It is one of the more expensive ones but it worked best for me. Good Luck :thumbsup:

Thanks for the link, it's very helpful. :thumbsup:

I'll give it another go in the morning.

Hels, my friend swears by drinking a glass or two of icy cold water before feeding/expressing. I don't know how it works, but she says it makes everything flow! Good luck

use it in the bath! it helps u relax and with my second son it was the only way i cud relax!!!!

its all about not worrying do it while watching the tv!

x

Plus its something you get better with as time goes on...your boobs get used to the process. Just stick with it. One word of warning - I got RSI and had to move on to an electrical one. If that's what you're using, don't forget to start out on a low setting, lol. A number of times I forgot I'd had it turned up - ouch!

And do it while you're watching tv or reading...generally relaxing.

I couldn't manage it initially but found it easier as time went on (sheer persistence!)...you didnt' say how long you had been breastfeeding...

I found Medela brand very easy to use and eventually progressed from manual to electric which is wierd but works!

With the supplement, the health professionals advise against it because you only produce what your baby takes, therefore, if you are using supplements, your milk production will slow down = this may be a factor in why you are struggling with the pump.

It is very difficult in those first few weeks/months if you are exhausted and want five minutes peace to give the baby the supplement - I did, but that's how I lost my milk.

To be fair, I supplemented and didn't lose my milk.

You just have to be sure to use your breastpump to keep production up.

Sorry, but it annoys me when people say flat out it doesn't work - it can, and it does, if you're sensible. Saved my sanity!!!!

I used the Medela electric one (sold in Mothercare) and found it really good, though a bit noisy. I found it best to express first thing in the morning when you have a lot more milk. I also eventually managed to express from one side while feeding my baby on the other!!! He didn't seem to mind at all. Good luck Hels.

I have to say my experiances were the same it hurts i had to express for my son as he was in scbu and was being tube fed on my milk stick with it you feel like a cow but its not for ever you will never look at a cow in the same way again chin up

I only ever used a manual pump, and found expressing milk very difficult.Going on the experiences of the mums I work with (I work at the childrens hospital) I would say that an electrical pump is definitly much more efficient (some of them seem to produce enough milk for all the babies in the hospital and for the staff coffee's as well!)

I'd advise you to talk to the feeding advisors at Jessops ASAP, if you decide to go down the route of an electric pump they'll be able to tell you where you can hire one from.

Hels, I managed to almost completeley breast feed my son for ten and a half months, with the occasional formula supplement, so it can work (I only stopped when the little devil nearly took my nipple off with his shiny new teeth!)

I couldn't manage it initially but found it easier as time went on (sheer persistence!)...you didnt' say how long you had been breastfeeding...

I found Medela brand very easy to use and eventually progressed from manual to electric which is wierd but works!

With the supplement, the health professionals advise against it because you only produce what your baby takes, therefore, if you are using supplements, your milk production will slow down = this may be a factor in why you are struggling with the pump.

It is very difficult in those first few weeks/months if you are exhausted and want five minutes peace to give the baby the supplement - I did, but that's how I lost my milk.

i doubt that's why you lost your milk - i don't breast feed due to my baby's inability to feed properly (nipple in mouth = go to sleep) - but i feed her almost entirely on breast milk obtained by expressing.

Hels - because of my feeding problems, i've tried loads of pumps and have found the manual pump by avent to be the most effective, and the quickest. yes, it takes a few days for your hands to get used to it, and it makes you nipples sore if you over-squeeze, but i really have found it to be the best. Good luck with it...try not to think about how much you're managing to get out, and as the feeding specialist told me - don't express for more than half an hour, there are better things to do! i use expressing time (needs 2 hands and concentration so can't do much else) to get the baby's arse out and leave her on a pile of nappies on the floor and talk to her as i express so that she thinks it's play time.

hope you're doing ok!

I'm having serious issues, my milk has almost totally dried up but I am not going to let it beat me!

I've got a Medula Harmony manual pump but its not working for me. Any other suggestions? I'm looking at electric ones now, any tips and advice would be greatly received x

I had the same problem peaches, and used an electric pump but it was useless and i ended up admitting defeat. Sorry I can't be of more help.

I'm determined not to :hihi: I know you can take Domperidome, and I've got some (boosted milk production is a side effect) but I'd rather not use it if I can do it on my own

http://www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk/details1.asp/ProductID/179/sid/28/medela-mini-electric-breastpump.htm

i used this one the first time round, it was really good.. although the noise it made made me feel like i was milking a cow :hihi: :hihi:
Massaging the breasts seemed to help me. My milk was not drying up but i could just not fill mini sav at all so gave up cause she was always wanting fed!

I've bottle fed Seb all day today and tried expressing to see whats there, I've had less than a tea spoon full

I've bottle fed Seb all day today and tried expressing to see whats there, I've had less than a tea spoon full

have a warm bath and massage them, once your out try expressing it should help encourage it. are your expressing to bottle feed? does Seb latch on at all?

I know when i was breast feeding my midwife had ones to loan, not sure if that is still available but might be worth trying. That way i got to try 3/4 different ones before i found one i was comfortable with. If not you may have a local breastfeeding group that could offer them/advice. Good luck.

Hi peaches why do you think your milk is drying up? Is seb feeding ok and putting on weight? He should also be having periods of wanting long feeds or feeding a lot. This is normal and usually down to a growth spurt. With regards to expressing the best advice is to get comfy and get relaxed and make sure the pump itself dosent cause discomfert. Also make sure you are drinking loads.

Nothings coming out. I've had him on me all day and he's screaming cos he's not getting anything. I've formula fed him cos there's just nothing there

I've bottle fed Seb all day today and tried expressing to see whats there, I've had less than a tea spoon full

Dont let that think you have dried up. The amount you express is minimal to what they can get out and they dont need as much as what they would have in a formula bottle. I know it can seem quite scary to see it. I leak tonnes of milk yet when i express into a bottle there seems hardly any. It really is meant to be like that. The more he feeds though the more milk he will produce.

I don't even get a "let down", should I just admit defeat? :(

I don't even get a "let down", should I just admit defeat? :(

No only if you dont want to carry on. It is also possible to get your milk back once it has dried up. Keep trying if its really what you want but certainly dont beat yourself up about it.

its hard not to

its hard not to

Yeah i can imagine it is but you are trying so hard and doing well.

There are some herbs you can take that can increase milk supply

.

Fenugreek, I've looked into it already but I'd rather not take things if I can do it without

Oh just remembered also try expressing in a warm bath.

the hospital grade ones are fantastic, when my son was in hospital he lost his suck reflex but with the aid of one of these I managed to keep my milk production up for 3 months. You can loan them, ask your hv or local sure start and they will give you a phone number.
As mentioned earlier, keep eating and drinking plenty as its essential. Let baby carry on nursing even if you feel he isnt getting anything, as that will boost your supply. Rest - lots! And if you can, try and express off the other breast while you are feeding, I always found thats when I got the most milk.
Good luck hun

such as

http://www.breastfeedingheaven.co.uk/low-milk-supply/herbal-extracts/cat_8.html

and

http://www.babysbest.co.uk/Articles/The-Miracle-of-Breastfeeding/Not-enough-breast-milk-/57/

.

Fenugreek, I've looked into it already but I'd rather not take things if I can do it without
Yes, but you think you are struggling do you not?

More than just fenugreek too. Nothing wrong in a little help from nature to get things going.

.

Peaches hun are you by any chance doing to much as this can stop milk production, I can'yt comment to much as i have never had a baby of my own but my boss went back to work after 6 weeks and her milk dried up dispite using a breast pump, she said it was due to doing to much and stress!!!
hope all goes well hun

Make sure you are looking at your baby whilst expressing. I find it helps loads. Good luck x

I feed my LO and dont get that let down feeling, he could be having a growth spurt as I seemed to be feeding constantly when this happened.Try not to get stressed about it (easier said than done I know) as this will stress him also.

Peaches, go to your local sure start childrens centre. I go to the one at parson cross and there are 3 girls there dicated to helping breastfeeding mummies. Its on a tuesay at 12.30-2.30 on palgrave road. They're fab and have the magic answer for everything!
In the mean time the more bottles u give the less you're encouraging your milk supply, justkeep putting him to the breast and remember that a breast pump can never be as good as your baby at getting off whats there. I've been through times like these myself and still do at 10 months. Don't give up just yet cos uill regret it.
If he's having a growth spurt too he'll want to be on u all day whichis noa bad thing cos the more he does it the more milk ur body will make!
Chin up
xx

Hows things today peaches?

I've bottle fed Seb all day today and tried expressing to see whats there, I've had less than a tea spoon full

If you are wanting to increase your supply then you need to do the opposite: let Seb suckle REALLY often. By not letting him at the breast you are telling your milk that it is no longer needed and it will reduce. Expressing WHILE the baby sucks also works wonders, if you can manage it!

There's a slight improvement today I've noticed the let down coming back, and I'm feeling a bit fuller than I have done recently. Maybe its just me stressing over it stopping thats made it stop, if that makes sense?

There's a slight improvement today I've noticed the let down coming back, and I'm feeling a bit fuller than I have done recently. Maybe its just me stressing over it stopping thats made it stop, if that makes sense?

Yes that does make sense. Glad things seem better. Reading some stuff on reintorducing your milk supply it says to put the baby to your breast at least 8 times a day. It also says if he is not swallowing to try breast compression. While he is feeding gently compress the breast with your thumb on top and fingers underneath. Do it very gently and only if it doesnt hurt. Hope that helps. :thumbsup:

Thanks Waxy :D

Glad you've got an improvement Peaches :)

Good to hear , I am not a lover of bottles lol all that cleaning and sterilising, My employer when she had her last child would express for the morning feed and then i would pop him to work for his luch time food which worked well strangly he was fed until he was 14 month old and then just at night, when he was weaned he ate everything but now eats bread, pasta and rice t 11 he won't try anything else lol

I'm glad things are going better. I don't have anything new to add, just wanted to reiterate what others have said...more breast than bottle, you may find a powered pump better than a manual in this case, have a picture of baby near,expressing one while feeding from the other may well work, and remember to drink LOADS of water.
Most importantly, don't go kicking yourself for doing something wrong. It won't help, isn't true, and even if it was we all make mistakes.

And by the way, what a gorgeous baby - it was nice finally putting a face to the name Monday. :)

Hi!

I am SO stupid! I had an Avent IQ steriliser when I had my daughter (given it by a friend) and also an Avent breast pump, and I bineed the lot after I stopped using them! WHY!?!?!

Anyway, I am after an Avent steriliser (as plan to use Avent bottles again) and a breast pump (only breastfed for 9 days after but plan to try for longer!).

I have looked on ebay.. see, I would prefer new if I am honest so firstly, does anyone know any websites selling these at a good rate, maybe from somewhere that had voucher code offers on somewhere like Hot Uk Deals?

Or any shops not a million miles away got offers on?

I did have the IQ as I said, not sure of the difference between that and the Express steriliser really apart from the button being different, and also think the IQ keeps them sterile longer?

Does the Express have a tray for the breast pump bits, like the IQ? If not, do they fit in anyway? If there's not much difference I would go for the Express as it's cheaper.

Also, anywhere to get cheap deals on new Avent bottles- 9oz (no point me buying 4oz ones then 9oz ones like last time)? And teats?

Any help appreciated, keep looking round the net myself but easier to ask people in the know!

T x

I got my breast pump from tesco and that was pretty cheap, however I know that surestart in chesterfield sell breast pumps and stuff so if you have one near you you could try them.

I wouldn't bother wasting money on Avent bottles at this point. Try cheaper ones first and only trade up if you absolutely need to. I have 3 Avent, 3 Bruin and 3 Tescos...all wide neck so teats are interchangeable. My favourite are actually the Bruin, from Babies R Us, the cheapest of the three.

I wouldn't bother wasting money on Avent bottles at this point. Try cheaper ones first and only trade up if you absolutely need to. I have 3 Avent, 3 Bruin and 3 Tescos...all wide neck so teats are interchangeable. My favourite are actually the Bruin, from Babies R Us, the cheapest of the three.

Ooh good advice I had never really looked at any others... I will look, thanks!

I used morrisons wide neck bottles and Asda's variable flow teats (99p for 2 and no need to keep changing to quicker flow teats, just turn them round!) I found Asda's bottles didn't last long, and ended up leaking. I didn't like Tesco's either. They were more expensive and leaked. Morrisons are more expensive than Asda's but better. Think they were about 3 or 4 quid for 2. The only "problem" I've found is that the avent steriliser only fits 5 of these bottles in at a time, rather than 6.

I've just had a look and my sterilizer is Bruin as well. So again, Babies R Us. It will have been a good price as I am cheap, LOL, and is 12 weeks into it's second baby and showing no signs of giving in. It also holds six fat bottles in the bottom and would take another six of the small ones on top, so loads of room.

I should have said I wouldn't bother with the Tescos bottles, either. I haven't had a problem yet, they just don't strike me as well made as the Bruin, and I believe the Bruin were cheaper. My MIL bought the Asda ones for when my littlest one comes visiting, and hasn't complained about them.

2 or 3 of my Asda ones cracked just on the shoulders. That was continuous use though, and steam sterilising. That steriliser sounds good cosy, my avent one will only hold 5 bottles plus all the bits - lids, rings, teats and a coupla dummies

I usually end up with six (rather fat, full size) bottles on the bottom stage, I ring the bits that hold the teats up the central pole, and all six teats and lids fit happily on the top stage. I'm funny about each teat sitting flat so as to get full steam. It is good, tho it's quite big in my small kitchen

I know you say you'd prefer new but I've got a Mini Medela electric breastpump in a bottom drawer that I used (literally) once as my breasts did not take to being pumped and I just breastfed from then on (no bottles)! I was going to put it on ebay, and was hoping to get £25 for it (they retail at £50+) so if you're interested PM me.