I have tried to do the hand compression during pumping but find it difficult as I am double pumping with a hospital grade pump (renting) and when I try hand compression I seem to always lose suction on the machine. I will try some hand expression between pumping. I also do some breast massaging too but even though it's only been a week my breasts just feel beat up. I don't want to give up as this means the world to me to do this. I just didn't realize how hard it would be and I hate to complain. Thanks for the advice!
Doing compressions has really helped me and I found a way to do it effectively. What I did was get a cheap sports bra and cut holes in the middle where my nipples are. Then I stick the breast shield through the hole and connect the valve on the other side to create my own hands-free pumping bra. Then I can push the shield against my breast with one hand while compressing with the other and I don't have to worry about the other shield coming off. It has been working great so far!
