When you think of breastfeeding, you think of boobs. But sometimes, breastfeeding isn’t all about the boobs – breastfeeding can incorporate bottles and other forms of getting that precious liquid into the tummies of babies.
With my eldest, I expressed occasionally – more for flexibility than anything. It meant that Kevin could give her the odd bottle so I could get a full nights sleep or go out for the evening. I tended to use a simple, manual pump and that was that.
Things were different when Jacob was born too early. He couldn’t suck, he couldn’t latch, yet I knew I still wanted to breastfeed him. The hospital showed me how to use the electric pumps in the special care unit, and every day I pumped as much as I could. I would then make my way down to see Jacob with my precious little syringe of breast milk, and dutifully pop it down his feeding tube. As he grew, I pumped more and more until eventually he could latch, and we were away. I had SO much milk – I do wonder if that was due to the early pumping – that I continued to pump alongside feeding him. Some of this milk I froze and used for the odd bottle feed, but most of it was collected and taken to the special care unit for those mums who were unable to breastfeed or pump for their tiny and sick babies.
Max also came too early, and again I pumped for him until he could suck. I continued to use a breast pump at home too, this time using an electric version. I certainly didn’t pump every day, but when I felt full or when I wanted a night out, I would pump enough for a couple of bottles.
So breastfeeding isn’t always the thing you imagine it to be. Sometimes a baby is too small or too sick to suck from anything, and at these times, pumping is a lifeline. You CAN still feed your baby breastmilk, even if they are a long way from learning to latch. Pumping, like breastfeeding, just takes a bit of practice. I felt SO proud that I could syringe tubes of breastmilk into my premature babies rather than formula. It was something I could do to help them, it was something I could provide to make them stronger. And I am proud of that.
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Relax
Brilliant post. Thank you.
Tip: massage your breasts before pumping.
just relax!
keep relaxed
Drink lots of water & keep your calories up or the supply can drop.
Invest in a decent pump!
relax is the best tip,
My first born suffered massive (unexpected) brain damage due to a birth injury, meaning he was put into intesive care and he also never developed his suck reflex – so wanting to do the best for him i expressed as much as i could! I really struggled partly due to circumstances i guess but managed to keep going for 8 weeks. For me i found drinking lots of water and using the best breast pump possible made a difference (i was loaned a hospital grade one) – for my second i breastfed and when i needed to express relaxing and thinking about my baby worked the best 🙂
Drink loads of water, I am trying to express but after my initial over supply I am only getting 1oz per session now so it takes forever to get enoug for 1 feed. But I can sometimes increase this to 2 oz if I drink tons of water
Its such an amazing thing breastfeeding. The bond you make with your baby is out of this world. Just relax and take your time. Whilst feeding look at the beautiful baby you have brought into this world this will help the milk flow. Its amazing
invest in a good pump. i had a manual one last time and my hand kept cramping
Relaxation is key!
I was lucky that all three of mine were full term but I still have had to pump for them all in the early days, EDS means that I get massive oversupply and tiny little mouths find it pretty much impossible to latch. One thing that I found really helped while pumping was to have a warm flannel on hand – it helped letdown (not that I needed much help with that in the beginning!) and felt lovely and soothing too.
I can’t imagine having to express regularly for premature babies, I found it hard enough just for a week or two in the beginning. I can see why you feel proud!
Drink lots and lots of water and make sure you give yourself enough time!
don’t stress and don’t delay the pumping session , if the pump hurts you don’t give up, change settings if you can or try different pump ,
Just relax!
relax it takes time
Massage your breasts before attempting to pump..don’t stress
I would say to completely relax beforehand x
Relax