need to express for first time at 5 months

[hushshessleeping]

hi there, i am starting work 1day aweek in 2`weeks and need to express. am exclusively bfeeding at 5 months and haven't yet expressed - except when dd born - in special care for 2 days. i tried for the first time this evening but prob not a good time - not enough milk after her late feed. whe do you think is the best time of day to start? Any tips, i know it's late to start but dd is generally a happy bunny and i am hoping she takes to the bottle!! need to start this week as time is running out!! Also difficult to find a window when she's not wanting to feed - esp in evening!!

[carol3]

I used to express from one side while feeding from the other in the eve and morning I used to find i had a quicker result in the morning also switched to an electric pump which was much quicker for me. hope that helps loads of advice in archivies too.

[mamamaaargh]

Morning is usually the best time for most women. I used to try to pump before ds woke up or after his 1st feed of the day. It was certainly the most porductive time for me (~ 8 oz in 15 - 20 minutes. I think I had a lot of milk though) - evenings were slow and painful and rather pointless!

I tried a hospital grade electric pump but hated it - my Avent Isis manual pump was much better & more comfortable.

Good Luck

[hushshessleeping]

thanks!! i expressed about 4 oz this morning - how much should usually suffice over a period of about 6 hours - i have a very big hungry baby!! but never measured intake - at the mo she's feeding approx every 2 hours

[Moreton]

Hi. I couldn't breast feed and had to express all of my little ones feeds. I tried a single electric bought pump (Medela) but it was noisy and not very efficient. I then hired a hospital grade Medela pump - what a difference, much quieter and very efficient, also I could do 2 breasts at once. Eventually I was expressing between 8 - 10 ouces each time. Unlike most others my most productive time was the evening! Maybe I'm just odd!! Good luck with it.

[littlepiggie]

I left ds with dh about a month ago (6 months now), I left 5 oz. he only took 3oz in about 5 hours, they had a couple of good feeds to make up for it.
He also normally feeds every 2 hours.
You could try getting 2 oz every morning, and freeze the extra. You will need to check how long it can be kept in the fridge for, have heard up to 5 days, i usually freeze any after 3 though.