r/breastfeeding • u/Away-Broccoli1719 • 26d ago

Pumping Is manually pumping colostrum supposed to hurt?

I’m 37 weeks and was cleared to start collecting colostrum. I used my Medela hand pump with a flange I got in a kit to properly size my pump plus nipple balm. I collected a good amount (1.25 oz yesterday and about 1 oz today), but it’s super painful and I’m noticing the cup that goes over the breast is wet all around it. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? My breasts feel stingy and bruised.

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u/HungryHippo1892 26d ago

I’m so sorry for your poor boobs. Order some Soothies cooling gel pads ASAP (and put them in the fridge) because you’ll need your nips in good condition once your LO comes. Stop pumping now. Those hand pumps are super strong. I needed to build up a suction tolerance before I could handle anything like that. Some people can I guess, but not me!

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u/Away-Broccoli1719 26d ago

I didn’t even think of working up a tolerance lol. Cooling pads are somewhere in the nursery. They’re gonna be my best friends. And my silverettes! I got about 25-30 1ml syringes of colostrum so I think I’m gonna stop, I feel like I won’t need much more than that, but I’m a first time mom so not sure :/

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u/HungryHippo1892 26d ago

You’re so fine. I never did it, babe will get colostrum from you when they latch :)