Re the question "do first time mums have more trouble with MER than mums with several children?" In my experience, it has been more often related to the way each baby feeds. I counseled a mum of 5 who had no problems with first 4 but #5 was such a 'gentle sucker' that she had to do relaxation exercises to get a let down. (I had a similar problem with my daughter) With first time mums, you often only need to admire the baby and mum gets MER! Pain can be an inhibiting factor and that is probably more common first time around. I tend to treat each mother/baby dyad as a unique couple. Simply because mum had various difficulties or successes before, it is often completely different with each baby. If mum has been given great advice on positioning and attachment first time, it usually sticks, but next baby can be just a whole new ball game... Re pumps, some mums simply don't get a MER when pumping. This is probably psychological - no baby, no milk! If I have a mum who is desperate to pump to be able to leave ebm for baby, I suggest this: Pump at the first feed of the day when you are most rested. Set yourself up in bed with pillows and a towel, put baby on one side and pump on the other. Baby can be supported on pillows once attached and mum can fiddle with pump. Baby stimulates MER and pump usually works well. I suggest that mum does this over a couple of days so that she collects a small amount each day(not a full feed, obviously) - because baby can get more milk from breast than pump can, he usually gets a good feed anyway, he will take the last of the milk from side 2 and will drain both breasts, mum can do a top up a short time later if baby needs it, but most mums don't seem to have any problems. Trying to express or pump after a feed is often so disheartening that mums give up. Once mums have got the idea of what happens and what the MER looks like and feels like, they can often pump without baby to start things off. Obviously this can't be used in all situations, but is helpful for some. Querida David, Alyangula, NT. Australia Counsellor, NT Correspondence Group Editor 'Upfront' Member NT Publications review team Email: [log in to unmask] :o) :-> :o) :-> :o) :-> :o) :-> :o)