does expressing get harder?
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Topic: does expressing get harder?
Posted By: peanut butter
Subject: does expressing get harder?
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 11:44am
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I just tried to express as I am going back to work part time. One boob hadnt been touched since 5.40 this morning so I thought I'd be set to go but nup, nudda, nothing. I could get a mere 20mls. I was relaxed, thinking nice thoughts and nothing helped.
I used to be able to express 200ml in about 5 min! Is this normal? I assume Tom can "express" more from his mummy. Should I try again tomorrow or give in and by formula for the tomes I am away? |
Replies:
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 11:46am
| I think unless u keep doing it regularly, like daily, then it does become impossible. Happened to me too. |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 11:47am
| That happened to me to and I was expressing every day. I just gave up and went with formula. |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 11:50am
| BUGGER! |
Posted By: hailstones
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 11:58am
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yip - pretty much the same here, my supply just got less and less. I could get (at the start) 150ml easy off one boob and then months later would struggle getting 20-50ml ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 12:09pm
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Maybe worth talking to la lache about it before you give up and go to formula. Sounds like your not that keen to do that... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 2:05pm
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I expressed for months - until Gina was 6 months old - but I did that every day from the begining. Never had any issues - was making enough for her up until we decided to switch to formula. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 2:07pm
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I think if you keep it up then it gets easier. I know that I get less than I used to when i did it everyday, but it was getting easier after a few days.
Also i would try at that 5.40 feed. Baiscally I feed one side for a night feed (say, at 5,40) which would mean the other boob untouched since df at around 11. I would express then to get around 100-160 ml in about 20 minutes (I read and pay no attention to the expressing as that helps me more than thinking about it). Then, if I needed to get a good supply of expressed stuff, i would try the boob i fed off after the next feed, There is still pleny of milk there for Lily as the breast makes it as you feed. -------------  
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Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 2:10pm
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Also happened to me to couldn't even get enough out to make James' farex in the end. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 2:11pm
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I think I read you are doing one day? So how much do you need for a day? Given that he is on solids (from your avatar) i would imagine if you do a full day you would give a feed before you go, so maybe 3 feeds + solids? SO around 600ml? It would take a wee while to get it, but if you realy want to stay all breast rather than go to formula then going hard at oit for a couple of days can 'reteach' the boob to express more efficiently. -------------
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Posted By: sparkle
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 4:41pm
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Good post, I'm planning on doing the odd day back at school this term, so had better start with my supply!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 5:02pm
Thanks Miss, I think I will perservere for a few more days and see if things improve. 5.40am???? you have to be kidding!!!!!! I just want to be asleep
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Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 6:48pm
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Oh I know it is hard, but it was worth it to get that supply going again! I did go back to sleep after that though! -------------
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 7:02pm
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I had never expressed for Kryssi before she was 8mos - then I got a job and I started expressing then. However she was eating heaps of solids and only having about 3 feeds a day so I found expressing kinda sore because I never had the engorged feeling that makes it so early in the early days (which I did with Hannah). I wonder if your supply has lessened since introducing solids. -------------  |
Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 24 January 2008 at 7:41pm
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I have to express enough for Ella for 4 feed during the week. I can't seem to express huge amounts either, so I just express a small amount every day and store it in the freezer and the days that I am working I am able to express enough for a feed during my lunch break (my parents house is 3 mins drive from work, so I am luckily enough to be able to go over there and express...way more private ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
).