Expressing

[Lucky29]

Hi,

First time poster here. DD is a week old today and has been doing great at breastfeeding, only lost 4% weight at day 5 weigh in.
I want to start expressing for a few reasons- DH would like to get involved, I'm hoping it would give me a bit more sleep, nipples are extremely painful despite Lansinoh often (I know this is just as they're adjusting, latch is fine) also would like the option to go out a bit more in the coming weeks and know I won't have to stop to feed every hour if she's in one of those feeding frenzies!
Mainly looking for any advice, do my reasons seem realistic? I'm thinking I could express when she has longer periods between feeds and then just keep milk in fridge for later that day /the next day?
Want to continue breastfeeding just seems like a lovely option to have slightly longer to sleep and less pressure.
Sorry for rambly post but yes just any advice/experience would be a huge help...

[Sunnysummer]

Expressing can be great, but the reasons you're suggesting don't to me sound like the best reasons to start in week 1. Your nipples still tend to be sore, it's harder to bring the milk in, and then bottles (for your DH to take turns) aren't recommended this early, as it can hinder the development of bfing.

There certainly are people on here who have made it work, and you can if you are really keen, but it will usually easier if you can hang in there a few more weeks.

In the meantime, your DH can still help plenty - he can hold the baby between feeds while you sleep/eat/rest/see people, he can do baby bathing, dressing, nappies and most importantly he can do lots around the house, and can cook feeding-friendly dinners that will eventually go to feed the baby as well There is sometimes a big thing about husbands or other family wanting a turn with a bottle, but ultimately feeding is one very small part of bonding - and there will be plenty of time for bottles or for solids in the next year!

[Lucky29]

Thank you for the reply! Definitely some great points to consider. I was only thinking of doing 1/2 feeds a day with the bottle.

[Lucky29]

As in 1 or 2, not half!

[ChunkyPickle]

Don't spend out loads on a pump yet - with DS1 I could barely express a tablespoonful (DS1 was fine, I'm just rubbish at expressing), and then DS1 couldn't figure out how to use a bottle at all.

With DS2 I've actually managed to express enough for a bottle, but yet again DS2 just can't seem to figure out what to do with it.

I've completely given in - time really does go fast, and once they've got day and night sorted I've not found it too bad (even on growth spurts when DS wakes every 2 hours).

DP meanwhile has the advantage of all the sleep, so I get him to take the kids so I can have naps/lie-ins. Baths, dressing, changing etc. mean that he does as much for the baby as I do, outside of feeding.

[cheekyfunkymonkey]

If you want to try expressing then try when/ if you get time I between feeds. I agree maybe wait a few weeks but it is recommended that you try baby on a bottle before 5 weeks if you want to have the option to express later. Stick with it, sounds like you are doing great. Breastfeeding was one of the most difficult things I have done (initially), very sore nipples, but soon became second nature and easy as breathing.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

I used to express for my DS as I am a H cup and had a back and arm injury so found it hard to discreetly feed when out and about.

I hired an electric Medela pump and used to find it most effective premorning feed, (and rather than waking with a wet bra and bed I'd set the alarm a little early and express in bed half asleep ).

DS did struggle with bottle/nipple confusion for a while though - it felt like forever but was probably about 2 weeks.

[yellowsnownoteatwillyou]

Do what works for you and your family, what you are suggesting is perfectly feasible. Breast feeding is tiring and sore at the beginning and a bottle of expressed milk in my opinion to let you have more sleep and feel a bit more normal isn't the worst idea in the world.
I found that in the beginning it was do what you need to do to survive, they change very very quickly.
Some babies are effected by nipple confusion some babies aren't I think.
My ds had a poor latch and I got mastitis and horrific cracked nipples so he had mostly bottles of expressed milk for 10 days, some breast feeding and formula. I will admit to being terrified of feeding him due to pain, at day 10 I fought the fear and he just latched perfectly and fed. He didn't care how milk came as long as he got it.

[BlessedAssurance]

I think it's OK to do whatever necessary to stay alive when one has had a baby. Ds is a week old too. His latch is great but I have those boobs with a thick nipple which makes it difficult for baby to have all of it. Result has been sore and bleeding nappies. I cry when I hear my son waking up because that means he has to feed. I have been expressing and DH then feeds him too during the night but it's only making my boobs produce more. Ds however has no problem taking the bottle just as long as it's DH giving it.

Whatever you decide On, do what works for you. Your DC may be alright with both. Good luck.

[BlessedAssurance]

Bleeding nappies??? Nipples you stupid phone!!

[Lucky29]

Thank you all for replies! Those who are expressing for newborns, how much do you find is enough for a proper feed? It's obviously impossible to tell how much they're drinking from the boob.

[yellowsnownoteatwillyou]

I worked it on roughly 30/60mls is how much formula is advised at that age. So would express as much as I could and put it in separate bottles as I had quite a few and offered 30ml, if the baby wanted more was given a 2nd bottle. So you could work out how much roughly they were taking.
I'm sure there would be an easier way of doing it.
It's roughly anything up to 90mls for the first 2 weeks when a baby is on formula so kind of went on that guide.

[BlessedAssurance]

My newborn feeds a lot but 60-80 mls does the trick ,by expressing from one boob i get 100mls which is a lot. If i express both then i have enough for two feeds during the night.

[Writerwannabe83]

I have a 16 day old baby and express to relieve myself if engorgement hits. I tend to throw the milk away but will occasionally put a bottle in the fridge 'just in case' though we've never had to use it. I have a hand held manual Linosoh pump which is fantastic!! I only ever do it on my left breast and can get off about 4oz in 15-20 minutes.

[PeaceLillyDoge]

I've been expressing and then bottle feeding since day six as baby was very very sleepy, list loads of weight and then needed breast milk top ups after each breast feed to get Hey weight up.

Four weeks in and we've been able to stop the top ups as she is breast feeding really well. However I am still expressing as I find it brilliant for exactly ask the reasons you state

A newborn needs about 80mls per feed of breast milk at this point. You're best expressing straight after you've done a feed to get the hind milk (apparently). Also your morning milk is supposed to be more fatty which is better for them at the mo. Each morning I do her first feed and then express. I can get about 200ml. Will get dp to give her a feed before bed and then any leftovers the next day are frozen. Sometimes of my boobs are ragging from cluster feeding then I'll give her a bottle feed to give my boobs a rest. Not sure if this is a great idea re supply but it works fine for us.

Having said all of this, everyone appears to have very different experiences of this, so whilst mine have been very positive it doesn't seem to reflect the majority of other people's experiences.

I use the medela swing pump which is amazing but expensive. If your just doing a bit of expressing for one feed a day then a hand pump may be perfectly suitable.