Expressing question

[mrs_bump]

I am really struggling with breastfeeding my 6 day old LG, I think we have latching issues as my nipples are really sore. I desperately want to keep breastfeeding and have been wondering about expressing, I do have a pump but am not sure where I would start with this.
How much milk would she need at a week old? How much milk would I be able to express in one go? Will she get confused between teat and nipple and would we be able to try breastfeeding again once my nipples feel a bit better. I appreciate any help xx

 

[MrsT2011]

Hi hun - I can help a little as I express regularly but it's been trial and error!
I had problems with breast feeding my LO would latch but not stay on and eventually became dehydrated so I hand expressed and fed him with a cup rather than cause confusion with teats On day 5 with the help of a maternity assistant I started pumping and introducing bottles.
To start with I only got about 2oz from both breasts but 5 weeks on I'm now getting anything from 4-8 oz depending on time of day.
I brought the Avent bottles as they have a teat similar to a nipple.
I have had to top up with formula but it's getting less and less as my supply builds up.
I have tried switching back to breast and he is feeding maybe once in the evening so we're getting there slowly.
With pumping don't be disheartened if you don't get much out at first - the more you keep breastfeeding the more you'll get.
How much your lg will need depends but I'd guess about 2-3oz.
If you want to exclusively pump be prepared to be up for hours at night! This is when I get most of my milk and pump at 12,3 and 6am for roughly 45mins and this is after I've fed and changed B!
Hope this helps and feel free to ask anything and good luck sounds like your doing a fantastic job x

 

[MrsT2011]

Also just to add do you have a breastfeeding support group near you to help with latching or do what I did and demand a maternity assisstant visited each day to help me with feeding x

 

[pinkyprincess]

Ooo I just responded to your last thread! Your doing great hang on in there!

 

[tabbi]

I am really struggling with breastfeeding my 6 day old LG, I think we have latching issues as my nipples are really sore. I desperately want to keep breastfeeding and have been wondering about expressing, I do have a pump but am not sure where I would start with this.
How much milk would she need at a week old? How much milk would I be able to express in one go? Will she get confused between teat and nipple and would we be able to try breastfeeding again once my nipples feel a bit better. I appreciate any help xx

Right hunni i had the problem with my nipples getting very sore, cracking and once they bleed. i asked my midwife what to do she told me buy some nipple cream Lansinoh - HPA Lanolin. it solved all my problems i didn't need to express off as i could put it on my nipple and i couldn't feel any pain, its £9 roughly and you don't need much, and its safe for baby to attach while you have it on.

Just use it as part of your daily routine, and give it two days and your nipples will be fine and no longer sore. i swear by it x x x