MSE Parents Club Part 10

Weezl Only thing that springs to mind is some vitamins....given that we have no idea if/when she may get prope rfood that isn't nuked!!

Will keep thinking, you are so lovely for doing this, hugs for sweet weezle.

Weezl, do you have a printer?

This page is really helpful, about building and maintaining a supply with a pump, it gives specific numbers, times and amounts, which I found helpful when my head was fuzzy:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/maintainsupply-pump.html
I can also find my list of pumping tips if that'd be helpful?

I'm not sure I can offer any suggestions, as I pumped under quite different circumstances.

Flapjacks are a great idea, would it be possible to wrap them individually in clingfilm? I bought mine, and having them wrapped like that meant I could stick some in my bag, by the sofa etc. Not getting dehydrated is important, especially in a hospital with lots of heating/air conditioning. A sports bottle for easy drinking from?

I dont know weezl, she just said it was on the outskirts ..

Just a thought but what about a herbal tea to aid BF, not so much for the milk production, I was thinking to aid her psychologically. To make her feel she was doing the best/all she can.

You probably thought already but what about a card to let her know she has more people rooting for her than she actually thinks, again for the psychological aspect!

Did any one have a mantra when they had to express in the early days, she may find them useful, I'm waffling, desperate to help but may just hinder lol

Hi DKAM glad you's are all settling in well, Taras DGD is waiting for an op in hospital, her DD is being ignored/not receiving the care she should, someone who doesn't mince their words will inform you better.

Increasing pumping output:

• Try breast compression while pumping (Hold the breast, cupping the breast from underneath with your thumb on one side of the breast and your fingers on the other and gently compress. Milk should flow more, when it stops, stop compression and wait, and repeat)
• Double pump if possible, if not, twiddle other nipple while pumping
• Pump for 5 minutes after the last drop of milk
• If pump has let down function, switch back to get another let down when milk stops. If manual pump/variable, switch to pumping more rapidly to try to trigger letdown.
• Overnight pumpings can help increase supply
• Morning sessions often get a good output
• Empty breasts fill faster, so frequent pumping is good
• Don't worry about running out of milk for LO
• Lean forward when pumping, gravity helps!
• Make sure pump has right size horns - if there is any pain or rubbing, get advice
• at lots of oats - porridge, flapjack
• Supplements can help - things like fenugreek, blessed thistle - available at https://www.expressyourselfmums.com
• The Doctor can prescripe Domperidone for low supply, but some won't. You can buy over the counter but is very, very expensive.
• Calcium and magnesium can help if you get a period
• Look at a photo/video of baby while pumping
• Have something that smells of baby nearby while pumping
• Don't get dishearted if you don't get much - even if you don't get more than a few ml, your body is getting the signals it needs, and it was a valuable pumping session.

If there are any more questions (particularly about supplements, domperidone or chosing a pump) feel free to pass on my contact details or get back to me, I'll help if I can.

Elle, Tigs and other Mums with expressing experience, can you add anything?