EXPRESSING MILK?!?!?!?

[loopyredangel]

This may be a stupid question. I am a first time mum exclusively breastfeeding. My DS is 15 weeks old weighing 16lb 2oz, and is demanding milk constantly - I am shattered and I need a break from it desperately!!! I am thinking of expressing so DH can feed him and give me a little time to catch up. I know you can store breastmilk for 24hrs in fridge, but what happens if I want to give baby expressed milk when we are out and about? How long can it be out of the fridge for?

Any advice would be gratefully received from this shattered mummy!

[TinselMunkerWentToGlitteryLand]

You can store it for eight days in the main part of the fridge (not the door).

Personally, I'd not bother taking it out, because it's hassle to warm it up (unless your DS will take it room temp - mine wouldn't!), etc.

But for a break, definitely try expressing some and getting DH to feed him - perhaps a dreamfeed at 10ish so you can sleep a bit longer?

I know how hard it is - you're doing really well though. If you need a break during the day, get your DH to take him out after you've fed him to the gills and bring him back a couple of hours later - I remember DH doing that with DS and I felt so much better after two hours sleep where I knew I wasn't going to be woken up! It's amazing how your expectations shift, isn't it?!

[loopyredangel]

Thanks for the support Tinsel! I had no idea that breastmilk could be kept in the fridge for so long WOOOHOOOOOO! Does that mean I can top up stored milk in the fridge within those eight days?

[kiskidee]

to add: and if dh takes my dd out in the pushchair, she goes a bit longer between feeds as she is distracted by the world and doesn't have mummy's boobies nearby to remind her that she ought to have a top up.

[TinselMunkerWentToGlitteryLand]

As long as you use it within eight days from the first expression, yes.

I always chilled mine before I added it to any I had in the fridge already - putting fresh warm milk onto chilled didn't seem right somehow.

Would definitely agree that you'll get a longer gap between feeds with a baby who's been taken out by DH to see the world too.

[kiskidee]

yes, I read somewhere that it's recommended not to top up cold milk with warm as raising the temp and will shorten its lifespan. chill first before combining.

[suzi2]

I get my DH to give DS a bottle of expressed milk in the evening so I can have a couple of glasses of wine without any worry/guilt (OK - I know I shouldn't worry but I do!). Agree that distraction away from mummy is a good way to get a break.

[loopyredangel]

I had a go at expressing tonight - only got about a tablespoon out, now last week I had a go and got 3oz out first time round! Will try again in the morning. I also swore I would never let my DS have a dummy, but he is now lying on me sucking away - I now realise he was using me for comfort. I feel liberated LOL!!!

[suzi2]

I'm a big fan of dummies . Expressing is odd like that I think. As soon as you really want some milk, you can't get it!

[loopyredangel]

Well I tried expressing again this morning, only managed to get an ounce out ! I hope I am not running out of milk!

[ChunkerXmasCake]

You are not running out of milk - a pump is not as effective as a baby at getting milk out and expressing is something that has to be learned, just like bfeeding.

Try expressing from one side while you feed the other side - pillows and an extra pair of hands for initial positioning v helpful for this. Feed in the rugby hold for this (with your baby's legs tucked under your arm).

[teabagsandwine]

I express most days (ds now 6 months). If I don't express for a few days, I find it is harder to get the milk out. For me, expressing at the same time each day (usually in the evening) has helped. In the early weeks, DH would then give a top up bottle of expressed milk and I could get to bed.

[Elf1981]

If I'm not expressing in the day, our rotinue is:
Feed at night off the right boob before DD goes to sleep
DD wakes at 6:00, fed off left boob
DD sleeps for an hour or so, feed off right boob.

If I'm expressing, I do this:
Feed at night off the right boob before DD goes to sleep
DD wakes up at 6:00, feed off right boob
Go downstairs and express off the left boob, can usaully get 4oz in one go (DD is 10 weeks)
DD wakes up after an hour or so, feed off right boob, top up the expressed milk with the left boob again if a full 4 / 5 oz haven't been expressed.

[Gracesmum]

hi, i used to have problems expressing so i would feed from one boob then about an hour later i would express from the other. it also helped if i did a bit of nipple manipulation (i know that sounds weird (wink)but this helped to trigger a let down reflex and i got a better result. remember breastfeeding is supply and demand, the more you use the more you will produce.

[loopyredangel]

Thanks for all the advice. I have given up expressing over Christmas as I just don't seem to have the time!!!!