Expressing Breastmilk by hand?

Alwaysthebusybee

I hope I am posting in the right place and this hasn’t been asked before – I have tried searching but can’t find what I am looking for.

My first baby is due in January and I would like to breastfeed (now I know this isn’t everyones personal choice) however I want to stay clear of gadgets that the shops try to sell you that aren’t essential and I was wondering if anyone expresses milk by hand?

I don’t want to express a lot just enough for my hubby to do a feed or two. I understand this is personal choice but if anyone out there expresses by hand a bit of feed back as to how long it takes you to do a feed, how much you can express etc would really help me.

Thanks in Advance
Busybee

tod123

its easy , just sit comfortably and give it a go!

pokey128

You can express by hand but it is quite slow compared to a machine. Your midwife or hv will show you what to do(I can't explain it here!) you will need a big sterile bowl to catch the milk it as it can cone out in all directions! I used a avent manual pump which I found worked well but even then it used to take me nearly a week to express a feed ( that is a lot slower than normal though!)
Good luck x

thatgirlsam

Do you mean expressing by hand or by hand operated machine?

We encourage hand expressing of the colstrum if the baby won't latch on or is in nicu as it comes in such small amounts it would get lost in the tubing of the machine and every drop is precious

You could continue to hand express once the milk is down but it would be time consuming and would probably really make your hands ache.. I would suggest a pump once the milk is flowing well

Molly41

Have a look at this

jkmum

It will depend on your "flow rate" (sorry!:o) which you won't know until a few days after birth and the milk has come in and feeding established. It took me ages even with a manual, whereas others find it very easy. I would have both options in the back of your mind - you can always pick up a pump later if you decide you need one.

LoopyLil_2

I too used the avent hand pump as it was easier and quicker than hand milking. I would suggest waiting a while until your breastfeeding gets established. Then when you are ready just relax and try, I think they key is to get the let down reflex to kick in and you will be fine. Don't expect a pint though!

mildred1978

LoopyLil wrote: »

I too used the avent hand pump as it was easier and quicker than hand milking. I would suggest waiting a while until your breastfeeding gets established. Then when you are ready just relax and try, I think they key is to get the let down reflex to kick in and you will be fine. Don't expect a pint though!

I expressed from the first week of having my baby, using an electric pump. I could easily get 9oz 250ml per side! That's almost a pint per express!

Hobo17

Nuby are giving away a free hand pump at the moment (no idea whether it would be any good). Copied and pasted from their FB page.

Please follow the steps below to participate. Step 1: Like the NUBY UK page, www.facebook.com/nubyuk

Step 2. Email your 18- 22 week baby scan to [EMAIL="nubyonline@yahoo.com"]nubyonline@yahoo.com[/EMAIL] with :
Parent's First Name:
Parent's Last Name:
Email:
Telephone:
Baby's Due Date
Post Address:

Scans submitted must be the scan taken at 18- 22 weeks of pregnancy. Scan dates must be visible, legible, and taken after July 1st 2010 .

Once your scan has been emailed to [EMAIL="nubyonline@yahoo.com"]nubyonline@yahoo.com[/EMAIL] approved scan photos will be uploaded to the NUBY BABY SCAN ALBUM and the FREE breast pump will be posted to you.
Approved photos will be uploaded. Steps 1 & Step 2 be completed for you to receive your FREE breast pump.

*Entrants must be currently pregnant and reside within the UK
**Breast pumps received will be NUBY electric, manual or mini. Scans will be accepted up till Aug 5th 2011. One breast pump per household .

LoopyLil_2

mildred1978 wrote: »

I expressed from the first week of having my baby, using an electric pump. I could easily get 9oz 250ml per side! That's almost a pint per express!

:rotfl: show off!!

jkmum

LoopyLil wrote: »

:rotfl: show off!!

I barely ever got enough to make up a bottle with several days of trying. Then after all that, I'd come home from a night out and there'd be an almost whole bottle left as LO wouldn't touch it! Just goes to show, we all have different experiences and they all differ from what we expect and plan for!
On the plus point, I never had to use breast pads - you win some, etc!