Quick question about expressing.

[Happyred]

I have been breastfeeding lo for the past week, but due to having extremely painful nipples and having developed mastitis, I have decided to try expressing for a while. My question is do I express until my both my breasts are completely empty?
Im worried that I will do it too much and then my breasts will get engorged and painful again.
I plan to just express the milk at the times she would normally need a feed, eg, every 3 hours.
Any advice would be great thanks.

 

[Karate Kid]

Heya Hun, I express due to latching issues. I generally manage to get 100 ml in 10 mins which is a full feed for Cassius. Not much help really, hope on of the other ladies can advise xx

 

[FirstBabyEek]

Im expressing between feeds as my milk supply is low and Toby will usually take between 4-5oz in a feed and I usually only produce 3oz from both sides :/

I express both sides until they are empty and still do some breast compression whilst expressing from higher up my breast to squeeze every last bit out.

If you find that expressing everything leaves you feeling engorged then I'd be tempted just to express the amount you need per feed and no more so as you're not producing extra.

Xxx

 

[FirstBabyEek]

Have you thought about nipple shields once the mastitis has cleared? xx

 

[pinkyprincess]

I don't think you need to worry about your breasts getting to engorged. A baby is far more efficient at getting milk out than a pump (never judge how much shes getting byhow much you can get out) I've posted this site a million times over to people but the pumping advice is so worth a read.

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/ExclusivePumping.htm

 

[Happyred]

Thanks everyone.
FBE I tried a nipple shield but she didnt seem to be able to latch on to it. Might try it again, now that she is comfortable with bottle feeding though.
Fantastic website pinkyprincess, thanks so much!
Feeling a lot more comfortable about the whole thing now.