Quick question about expressing

[SholerAndChocolate]

I use the Mileda mini electric pump. This morning I expresse for 15 minutes per side and managed to get out 4oz from each boob.

Does this relate to how much he's drinking at each feed? So if he feeds for 15 minutes is he taking 4oz or would it be more/less?

I have an operation coming up and won't be able to feed for around 24-48 hours and am trying to work out how much milk I'll need.

[DreamOfMeBaby]

I have a medela mini too. It's quite a rapid suck I found. I used to feel that I got more off quicker (judging by how empty my boob felt) than when I fed DD. When babies feed they pause quite often during feeding, not always taking in loads of milk, I know the pump doesn't pause, so it may be that your baby takes 4oz but over a longer period of time. Are you able to practise giving your baby the EBM prior to your op, just to see how much your DC takes in for one feed? Good luck with your operation

[minipie]

Unfortunately pumping isn't a great indicator of how much he takes at each feed.

How old is he? I think there are websites which will tell you roughly how much milk they need at what age. They are based on formula of course but would give you an idea (probably a better idea than pumping volumes).

[minipie]

Yes, good idea to have a trial run before the op, to see how much he takes. also to see whether he'll take a bottle...

[SholerAndChocolate]

Sorry I meant to say he'll be 5 weeks on Friday. I find ou when my op is on Monday, but expect it to be quite soon. I thought about giving him a couple of bottles before, but I'm worried about wrecking my supply if I introduce bottles now so really only wanted to do it when absolutely necessary

(As a bit of back story, he was formula fed for te first 36 hours, then mix fed until day 4 and from day 5 onwards he's been exclusively breast fed. I'm really proud of this as he's my 3rd and I have a 2 and 3 year old to entertain and I don't manage to bf them. I'm do completely parinoid about runing my supply, I literally feed at least every 2 hours and every 3 at night - waking him if I have to. We've battles a crap latch, sore nipples and really bad dictal thrush, I've worked so hard to exclusively breast feed as that's what i want to do this time, I really don't want to jeopardise it!)

I think if I just express as much as I can twice a day until my op, we'll be fine...possibly. I don't mind dh topping him up if he we run out before I can feed him, I'm just worried about him no wanting to take formula again!

[DreamOfMeBaby]

I can completely understand your concern about reducing your supply by feeding EBM. I remember having the same conversation with my HV. She advised that I would need to be feeding DD at the same time every day for approx 2 weeks before my supply reduced. She also suggested expressing the amount that my DD took via bottle when my DH fed her, to keep my boobs regulated and 'normal' so to speak. If you are not able to do this, the occasional feed of EBM should not have any impact on your supply. You sound very regular with your feeds, so I would not be too concerned. You have done so well to EBF, after climbing your few hurdles. Are you planning to express while you are having your op?