Expressing for dummies

[breadandhoney]

I am considering expressing some milk so that I am able to leave her for a couple if hours if and when something comes up. Tbh I am back and forth about whether this is something I want to do yet as dd2 is only 11weeks.

I ebf dd1 for 8 months and then introduced formula in a cup. So I have no experience of expressing or bottle feeding and I have no idea what I'm doing so I'm hoping some if you will be able to answer a few questions.

When do I fit expressing in around normal feeds?
Does it hurt?
Re: sterilising, to I need to buy a steriliser or is there another cheaper way to do it?
Is any brand of bottle better than the others?

Seeing this written down it seems ridiculous and maybe I'm just supposed to know this stuff but I haven't a clue!

Btw I've bought a medula swing electric pump.

[Purplehonesty]

Hello.
I have the same pump as you and no it doesn't hurt, it can be a bit uncomfortable but not sore.
You will need a steriliser so you can get all the bits of the breastpump sterilised. I used to pop mine thro the dishwasher first. Make sure you take it apart completely.
Bottles hmm I don't know as despite having all the gear and expressing dd has never been keen on bottles but I think avent are supposed to be good and you can get different types of teats depending on age etc.

[CitrusyOne]

Agree- bottles are personal choice- personal to the baby. Dd takes tommee tippee, and we have the microwave steriliser. Agree that it doesn't hurt- but not the nicest experience in the whole world!

I was advised to express in the morning as that's when supply is at its highest. About an hour or so after first feed of the day.

[neontetra]

Shouldn't hurt - if it does you might be pumping too hard? Lots of second hand sterlisers on eBay if you'd consider that - they are only a few pounds in some cases. You can get electric ones you plug in, or ones which go in the microwave - I got both but found electric one more practical. My dd would only take tommy tippee closer to nature bottles - you may find you have to try a few types.

[fraktion]

I had a cold water steriliser even for heavy duty (daily) use, so it would definitely work for occasional expressing. Plus it kills the bastard thrush which if your pump is second hand may be lurking (swings aren't closed system so can't be sterilised completely).

We went for Avent bottles as they were on offer.

Expressing I found easiest in the morning and you can express off milk then feed DD - you just produce more for her. Alternatively pump one side while you feed the other.

[DoingTheSwanThing]

No idea why I didnt think of it with DS1, but just recently mastered hand expressing - I can get 100ml plus while feeding from the other side, maybe worth a go before splashing out on a pump? Very much a practice-makes-perfect thing IME, but i get best results with spontaneous let-down/feeding/pumping on other side If it works for you then much less faff involved (and you can get bottles that self-sterilise in the microwave). Perhaps worth practicing in the bath, took me a while to be able to shoot straight!!

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Sorry, I see you've already bought one (I have that one too, good buy ).
Ignore me. Blaming baby-brain and going to sleep now

[breadandhoney]

Thank you very much for all the replies. I'll look into getting a steriliser and some bottles tomorrow. Do you think I may have left it too late for dd to accept a bottle? Midwife advised introducing one at 3 weeks, but expressing wasn't part of my plan back then.

[MooseBeTimeForCoffee]

Something to watch for us that some women have an enzyme in their breast milk that makes it taste horrible once it has been frozen. This can be cured by scalding the milk before freezing. Admittedly it's more of a faff but much better than pouring breast milk down the plug hole :(

[leonardofquirm]

I don't sterilise at all. If you search mumsnet there's a thread about it. Breast milk has its own antibacterial properties, so as long as you are scrupulous and wash in v hot soapy water, rinse and leave to dry it will be fine.

[leonardofquirm]

I find fitting in expressing hard. I expires St work but sometimes have to do the odd one at home. Mornings serum to work slightly better for me, especially if there's been a wee gap between feeds.

[leonardofquirm]

I express at work

Mornings seem.

Grr autocorrect.

[breadandhoney]

Thanks everyone. Interesting about the taste some women's milk changing after freezing.

I do think I would sterilise. Would worry otherwise, however unnecessarily.

I'm a bit concerned ive left it too late to introduce a bottle but I think I'll give it a go anyway.

What about storing the expressed breast milk? How long does it keep in the fridge/freezer and can I safely microwave it from frozen? Can I store it in the bottles or would they not remain sterile for long enough? Again that I have to ask these seemingly silly questions.

[MooseBeTimeForCoffee]

72 hours in the fridge
6 months in the freezer ideally, but 12 acceptable
DO NOT defrost in the microwave. Use the fridge or thaw in water.

[MooseBeTimeForCoffee]

Also you are best storing in the specialised storage bags

[breadandhoney]

Thanks moose.