hand-expression tips/advice?

[starling&diesel]

I've just gone back to work. My daughter is a year, and nurses as often as she can when I'm around. I haven't had luck with a pump historically, and wouldn't be able to set it up or find the time to do so at work. I'm a paramedic, so spend most of my 12-hour shift in and out of the ambulance and in and out of hospitals and homes and wherever we find people.

I've been hand expressing whenever I go to the bathroom, just to relieve the engorgement and keep my (chronically low) supply up. It hurts though, maybe because I'm in a hurry and squeezing too hard, too quick?

I've researched kellymom and other sites, but wondered if anyone here has any advice or tips?

Thanks in advance, mamas!

[Peony]

It helps me to lean over, and I did find that I had to press harder then what everything says.

[Lil'Momma]

I second the leaning over. It helped me to cradle the breast with one hand and then I also had to find the EXACT perfect spot on the aorela or it would hurt. It took me a few weeks to figure it out, but if I was too high or too close to the nipple, it REALLY hurt and I had to squeeze really hard. There is, for me, the perfect spot (that wasn't where kellymom said it would be) where all I have to do is squeeze lightly and milk will squirt six feet. lol. But it has to be that exact spot or it just results in a few drops and it hurts... so my suggestion is to just experiment with different finger placement and see if you can find a way that isn't as painful.

Oh, and also, watch to make sure you are actually rolling your fingers, not pulling. I was pulling at first and that really added to the discomfort. Someone had to show me what they meant by "rolling". Good luck!

[starling&diesel]

Thanks for the tips, mamas! It is q.u.i.t.e the art, isn't it?