Am I the only one?

cortneyloo

Who can't hand express? The other day I tried to relieve some engorgement by attempting to squeeze some milk out in the shower and it just doesn't work. When I pump I get plenty, whether it's by electric or the handheld. But just milking myself the old fashioned way yields nothing!

girlmama83

Have you tried massaging them to get the milk flowing first? That's what I do for a few seconds.

ELauren88

I've honestly never tried....

sparks4stp

I have a really hard time too.

FeetFirst

I can't figure it out. They will drip for sure. I know they leak, but I can't get milk out either.

When I pump I get 3 oz in 10-15 mins... No clue, lol

CelticWife

I have never been able to.

BabyE143

I place a warm waah cloth over the breast, then I massage around the breast like you do when you give yourself a breast exam (you can even bend forward and shake a little to stimulate milk flow). Then I place my pointer finger and thumb at noon and six o'clock on the areola and press into the breast. Make sure you roll the thumb and finger towards the nipple. The rolling is important to express the milk. I also rotate my fingers too so I'll start out at noon and six o'clock, press, roll, stop. Then I'll place my fingers at 10 and 4 press into, roll forward, at 11 and 5 press into, roll forward, back at noon and six, then I start back at 10 and 4.

RoosterMemphis

BabyE143 said:

I place a warm waah cloth over the breast, then I massage around the breast like you do when you give yourself a breast exam (you can even bend forward and shake a little to stimulate milk flow). Then I place my pointer finger and thumb at noon and six o'clock on the areola and press into the breast. Make sure you roll the thumb and finger towards the nipple. The rolling is important to express the milk. I also rotate my fingers too so I'll start out at noon and six o'clock, press, roll, stop. Then I'll place my fingers at 10 and 4 press into, roll forward, at 11 and 5 press into, roll forward, back at noon and six, then I start back at 10 and 4.

All of this. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy. I can actually hand express a few ounces, It just takes forever and it makes me feel like a farm animal getting milked.

cortneyloo

Thanks for the tips! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who hasn't had success with this. Another one of my breastfeeding friends can go into the bathroom at work and express herself when she needs to relieve some pressure, but since I've had no luck I always have to wait until I can get away for a pump break which means I walk around uncomfortable in the meantime. I'll try the methods mentioned and see if it helps!