Expressing After Direct Feeding

[shaugust]

Hi there!

My friends highly recommend me to express the remaining milk in my boobs after I nursed my girl. They say it helps to maintain milk supply. I tried to express but even after 30mins, there's always milk flowing out though not fast but more like occasional tiny squirts and perhaps dripping out.

2 questions:-
1) Is it necessary for me to completely empty out my boobs after nursing?
2) How do I know that my boobs are emptied out by baby or by expression? For now, as long as my boobs feel soft and kinda saggy, I take it that they are empty.

Also, there are times when my girl only suckles for 5mins as compared to her usual 10-15mins, but yet she seems full enough to last for 2-3hrs til the next feed. Is this ok?

Hope someone can help clarify. 

[Samuel's mum]

Hi and welcome to the boards.

It's really not necessary unless you have reason to be concerned about your supply.

When a baby feeds - even the most efficient feed - the breast is usually only drained about 75% and milk is made continuously so you'll always get some trickle (if you are able to get it out - some people don't get a letdown).

BTW don't go too much on how breasts feel as the weeks go by. As you continue to breastfeed things seem to settle down and people often feel emptier (partly because all the blood and fluid surrounding the developing tissue in the early days is no longer needed).

It's normal for feeds to vary in length during the day. It can depend on baby's motivation (e.g. are they feeling snuggly or want to get back to the world?). Also on their hunger levels obviously.

I honestly wouldn't bother about the pumping if everything is going well. It's a hassle and takes time away from being with her. And if you increase your supply unnecessarily you could get into an oversupply situation which can have some big downsides. A baby develops their supply to their own level in most situations. I'd only pump if you are worried about weight gain or advised to by a professional.

[EllenS]

Or, of course, you need to build up a reserve in the freezer for future absences.  But from what I read on these boards by moms doing that, doing 1 or 2 long pumps at a regular time when baby has not fed tends to work out better in the long run for this.  (like pumping between baby's bedtime and df)

[shaugust]

Thank you, ladies!