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hand expression... why?!

CadieKCadieK member
in Breastfeeding

I usually pump for about 20 min.  I go until I stop producing for about 2-4 min, and then I stop.  I usually have between 2-4 letdowns during my pumping session, and I typically get between 4-6 oz. per session.  When I am done pumping I always hand expresses to get any extra little drops and to empty out as much as possible for a faster refill.  I just dont understand though, why after pumping for 20 min, I can still get about a half an ounce of out with hand expression, and its not just drips.  I am talking about multiple streams.  Am I doing something wrong during pumping that is making it difficult for the pump to effectively remove that milk?

Any ideas/suggestions? 

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Re: hand expression... why?!

  • fotobirdfotobird

    I've been hand expressing in placement of pumping, pumping just doesn't work for me.

    It's because your able to express further into the breast where your pump can't, well, pump to get milk.

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  • Allie30Allie30 member

    First of all, I'm jealous of your output. I'm lucky to get 1/2 an ounce, period!

    This will help explain how the hand expression thing is working for you:

     https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html

     

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  • MrsCAAMrsCAA member

    also massage while pumping will help get the milk out faster (so if you need to up supply it helps if you still pump 20 min but if you have a good supply then it just helps empty the breasts faster)

    https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

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  • Sharon&PaulSharon&Paul member
    I also sole hand express, because pumping was ineffective. With my hands I can use my fingers to express the deep milk ducts that the pump does to touch. It is much more comfortable for me to use my hands than have a pump sucking. Depending how well you respond to the pump will affect how much is left over to hand expresses. You are not doing anything wrong. In fact everyone should hand expresss after the pump to keep their supply up.
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  • CadieKCadieK member

    Wow.  I don't think I could ONLY hand express.  My hand really starts to hurt after just a few min.

    Thanks for your responses, and sorry for the typo's in my OP.  Embarrassed

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  • Sharon&PaulSharon&Paul member
    imageCadieK:

    Wow.  I don't think I could ONLY hand express.  My hand really starts to hurt after just a few min.

    Thanks for your responses, and sorry for the typo's in my OP.  Embarrassed

    You get better with time. I just have to squeeze on certain ducts and the milk sprays out. It really does not take much force. I squeeze until the milk stops spraying, release for a second, and squeeze again. I do have to squeeze pretty far back almost at the back of the breast if that makes sense. The ducts feel like soft grapes to me. If I apply light pressure to them the milk comes out with force.

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