Should I Begin Expressing Extra Milk??

[@llli*ems.mom]

Hi everyone,
I'm a first-time mom, and my daughter is 5 days old. I'm pretty sure my milk came in this morning since my breasts feel full and I'm leaking like crazy. I don't spray, and my milk is opaque and white, but I think that still means it's in, right?

After I feed my daughter, she seems satisfied but my breasts are still full and I can easily express more milk manually just by using my hand. I have a pump but haven't used it yet since this is all very new. My question is this: should I begin expressing any extra milk with the pump right away after every feeding? Should both breasts be "empty" after each and every feeding in order to properly establish my milk supply?

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

[@llli*MommyToAC]

Hi mama...welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new little one!

Is there any reason why you would need to pump and store your milk. Are you returning to work any time soon? The only reason why I am asking is because sometimes you can give yourself oversupply issues if you start pumping like crazy. If you aren't going to be returning to work, I wouldn't worry to much about it right now. Give yourself a few weeks to adjust and get used to breastfeeding. Then if you want to pump every now and then for times when you need to leave your baby for a period of time, then go for it.

[@llli*ems.mom]

Thanks for the quick response!

I will be going back to work eventually, but not for the full 12 weeks. I bought this pump for those occasions like you describe - just for going out every once in a while once she's a little older. But I keep getting conflicting advice from people, some who say I should pump right away or else I'll lose my supply and others who say I should just let the routine be established first. As long as my body will adjust to what she needs over the next few weeks, you think I'll be ok if I don't pump? It's hard when everyone's saying different things!

Thanks again!

[@llli*emc909]

I think if you start pumping you will have oversupply issues like pp said. I bought a pump to use occasionally (I'm a SAHM) and I just pump when I need it - I don't have a freezer stash. Like this morning, I needed a bottle, so I pumped right then and there. Since bm is good at room temperature for at least four hours it means I don't have to find some way to warm it up.

I'm sure there are lots of mamas with more pumping experience, but there is my two cents.

[@llli*baby.mum]

I would just like to post this link, to help you understand how your breast work. It totally helps to know whats going on in there.

[@llli*sarahekd]

Congratulations, new mama!

Your supply will balance out! The extra fullness after feedings will tell your breasts to slow down production, but not stop it. Your breasts know what's going on-you'll have plenty of milk! The full, leaky feeling will subside after a bit.

I agree with everyone that said that if you pump, you may end up with oversupply issues. I would definitely wait to pump unless you have to for at least a few weeks.

Good luck!

[@llli*mommal]

A lot of moms get the "pump or you'll lose your supply!" advice. And it's rather silly advice, when you think about it: pumps have only been around for what, the last 30 years or so? What did moms do for the thousands of years before pumps were invented? Did they all lose their milk supplies?

As the PPs said, right now you're making a lot of extra milk, and that's giving you a "full" feeling. Making tons of extra milk sounds great- the baby will have her meal and then some, right? But making a lot of extra is actually not a desirable situation, because it puts you at greater risk for plugged ducts and even mastitis. Let your baby feed on demand, step away from the pump, and your milk supply will eventually regulate itself so that you make just enough milk, without a lot left over to give you that "full" feeling.

All that being said, pumps do have their place: moms with low supply should use them, and moms like you, who are returning to work, should eventually start pumping a bit so that they can get the hang of the process and build up a freezer stash. But give yourself some time before you start pumping- as the PPs have said, you don't want to pump yourself into an oversupply situation.

[@llli*ems.mom]

Thank you so much for all the great advice everybody! It's a relief to hear that I won't "dry up" (especially since my little one is a 10 pounder, so I know she needs her food!). The link was also really helpful and informative. I'll get the hang of this eventually... thanks again!!

[@llli*MommyToAC]

You are doing a great job mama. And you're right...you WILL get the hang of this soon. The first few weeks can be so difficult, but then it's so easy after that and you will be so thankful that you stuck with it. It truly is a rewarding experience like no other. I'm so glad that you found this forum because it is the best support system out there. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask. The ladies here are amazing!

[@llli*precioustori]

If you're going back to work and need a supply as well as a freezer supply, then YES absolutely start pumping now and then you shouldn't have low-supply issues later in the game.

(If you're putting up a freezer stash be sure and freeze / thaw / taste a small batch to make sure you don't have a lipase issue. If you found out that you did after you've got bundles of milk stored, it will make you want to cry.)

If you're going to be a SAHM and nurse exclusively, then don't pump afterwards (just a few minutes, no more than 5, if you want to relieve pain) and your breasts will adjust to how much your little one needs. =)