Expressing milk following a feed
I've noticed that it is often recommended to pump following a feed. After nursing my daughter I seem to be completely empty and don't see how I could possibly express anything. I generally am only able to pump twice a day at work, when I am really full, and some mornings on the weekend. If it really is possible to pump after feedings I would love to know how to do it, since I am hoping to build my supply of expressed milk.
Question:Debbi Donovan
Debbi Donovan is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. For more than a decade, Debbi... Read more
I can understand why it would be confusing to hear that you can express your milk following a feed. Your breasts are much softer at that time and appear to be empty. Actually, lactating breasts are never empty. Much of the milk is made during a feed (or while expressing.)
When expressing your milk following a full feed, you can not expect to obtain a large volume of milk. You might express a half-ounce or so. You will usually obtain more milk, expressing in the morning, especially if it has been quite some time since your baby's last feed.
What may work best for you, is to express your milk from one breast as your baby nurses on the other side. This is easiest if you have a pump that can be operated with one hand. After about 15 minutes, switch sides.
While at work, you will save time if you use an electric breast pump with double-pump kit. Expressing milk from both sides at once (with double-pumping or with baby at one breast and pump at other) not only saves you time, but most women prefer this method over single pumping. The relaxing effect due to increases in your prolactin levels with double pumping are also a nice bonus.
I would recommend choosing several times and expressing your milk only at these times, rather than pumping during every breastfeeding session. Allow yourself and your baby some relaxing feeds, where you are not at all concerned about how much milk you will be obtaining. Best of luck in building your supply of expressed milk!
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