When should I express milk?

[jojo_2012]

This will probably get buried cos it's 1am lol.

LO is 4 and a bit months. I finally got a Medula Swing breast pump today. I haven't expressed since LO was in NICU when I was hooked up like a dairy cow which does not make me feel good about the thought of expressing again.

I'm wondering when the best time to do it is. LO goes to bed at the same time each night so I'm wondering if I should do it then? He's also having 2 "meals" a day, but they're really just tasters he isn't dropping his milk feeds. I don't want to spend ages pumping then be dry when he wants feeding, I haven't given a bottle since he was about 9 days old no idea if he'd take it again yet.

I'm never really feeling "full" so there isn't a time of day I feel like I could spare it more than others.

Confused.com

 

[Mrsstuart01]

You make your best milk at night so I believe first thing is the best time xx

 

[l_maclean]

I find that just after G had gone to bed is best. I can express from both knowing that she def won't want fed for a few hours. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[TORino]

I do it first thing. Usually get the most ill get during the day then which admittedly is not a lot.

 

[Nurse 26]

I express in the morning, at 5am get about 3oz then after harry goes to bed I express again and get 3oz but during the day I get nothing so I would say morning and evening.

 

[Cazzlou]

I express in the morning from one side and feed from other. Get between 7 and 8oz and don't bother expressing again in the day.

 

[mum2b410]

I think the best time is whenever u r relaxed and have the time to do it! I never found it easy unless I was engorged! Sometimes I'd feed off one side in the night and express off the other first thing coz it had built up over night! Not sure if that's a good idea to do regularly tho! X

 

[jojo_2012]

Thanks guys. I've got everything washed and sterilised. I thought night time might be better but I don't want to pump in front of OH so am going to try when LO is having his long morning nap. Then I'm going to bring myself to the pub and leave OH with him for about 4hrs MUAHAHAHA. Just kiddin

 

[BevG]

lol my oh is used to me milking myself now, i dont bother much anymore but i used to do it loads

 

[AndreaJayne]

Reading this I think I could have a low milk supply?
I dont get a full breast anymore except if baby sleeps right through a feed, I have been expressing before I know he is due a feed so OH can feed him with the bottle but I don't even seem to get 3 oz from it ?? But surely if its all that is there its all he will get if he was to feed at the breast.

I am not sure whether I should leave the pump on my breast for a while once the flow has stopped, is it possible for the milk flow to stop and start during expressing? xxxxx

 

[jojo_2012]

I never feel full either Andrea and when I did finally pump I managed 2oz and thats after giving up and trying again later!

 

[BevG]

i dont get much if i try and pump unless i miss a feed, then i can get 5oz. your lo is much more efficient than the pump tho and can get more out than you can lol. also it is possible for your breasts to stop and start, there can be a 2nd letdown but it takes ages. never pump more often than every 1hr id say as i think it takes 30 mins for milk supply to replenish

 

[l_maclean]

Reading this I think I could have a low milk supply?
I dont get a full breast anymore except if baby sleeps right through a feed, I have been expressing before I know he is due a feed so OH can feed him with the bottle but I don't even seem to get 3 oz from it ?? But surely if its all that is there its all he will get if he was to feed at the breast.

I am not sure whether I should leave the pump on my breast for a while once the flow has stopped, is it possible for the milk flow to stop and start during expressing? xxxxx

Its unlikely you have a low supply. your body is simply making what your LO needs - you'd only feel full if you have too much, I read somewhere that most mums notice a drop in "fullness" around the 3month mark, thats cos your body has learned how much LO needs. I leave G to go out quite regularly - church commitments etc - and i can almost never pump what she has had while im out.

If you wanna boost your supply - maybe try pumping more often (if you get time) - your body will eventually think LO needs more. Also - i find sometimes hand expressing gets more when the pump has stopped. xxx