Thinking of giving formula instead of expressed milk when I'm not there

[Ruthiebaby]

Am I correct in thinking that as my son is getting older he is 'draining me dry' ! I'm having big problems trying to express these days - it took me approx 5 sessions last weekend just to get 5 fl Oz out. When my husband gave ds this he seemed to want more after.

So...it seems like it's proving more and more difficult now to express for him.

I do martial arts every saturday morning so he needs one feed when I'm away. This weekend we're going out to a bbq on Sat night so he'll need 2 feeds when my mum looks after him. On Sunday me and dh are going for a meal so he'll need 1 or 2 feeds then.

I don't feel like there's a hope in the world of getting that much milk out. I really don't want to start giving him formula.
Is there anything I can do to try to get that much milk out now...
Is it possible ?!?!

[bobbybob]

How old is he Ruthie?

[Ruthiebaby]

Sorry..I forgot to mention that... He's 19 weeks tomorrow.

[starlover]

no, your son won't be draining you. breast produce milk constantly, so you are never empty.

however it does take a while to be able to express large amounts of milk... you will have to wait for your supply to increase along with the frequency of expressing.

some people find they get more by expressing one side whilst feeding on the other.
although it's advised to express straight after a feed, you may find you get more if you express halfway between feeds... or leave it an hour or so after a feed and then try.

don't be discouraged because you won't get a lot out to start with because your boobs are making enough for your DS... they don't know they need to make more!

try expressing mroe frequently. if you end up with too much you can freeze it!

[gigglinggoblin]

i never managed to express at all, bf for 4 months with occasional formula feeds. it wont do him any harm to have the odd one. you can buy ready to drink formula in little cartons rather than a large tin of powdered stuff which saves waste if you dont manage to use the whole tin in time.

[LIZS]

I think it is very unlikely that you are drained. You would make more to cater for his appetite but you may find that if he is feeding more atm due to the heat it is more difficult for you to express in between. There is also a matter of technique and sufficient relaxation to express more but not being able to express much doesn't reflect on your supply. I found that I got more if I expressed while feeding the other side but it takes a bit of practice to find enough hands !

If you have a long enough break in the day you could try a little expressing and after a few days there you should have more available at that time. Freeze whatever you gather during the week. Also could you express immediately after your class and store it until the following weekend ?

Good luck

[Ruthiebaby]

Right...starting tomorrow I'm going to dedicate my time to expressing throughout the day and on Thursday and Friday...I'll see how it goes ! I'll also try the expressing on one side whilst feeding...never tried it before..

Will let you know

[chipmonkey]

Rutie, is he sleeping through the night? My ds is but I do one express every night a cpouple of hours after he's gone to bed and I get quite a bit

[chipmonkey]

Another thing, I just got a double pump and find it much more productive than my hand-pump.

[Ruthiebaby]

Chipmonkey - yes he's sleeping through the night to a certain degree. He doesn't go to sleep until 11.30ish though which is when I drop off...unless I set my alarm to get up.

What's a double pump ??

[chipmonkey]

Pumps both breasts at the same time. Mine is the Avent Isis IQ duo. Other people recommend the Ameda lactaline.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I always find I get more, when I express, if I either feed on the other side, or focus on having letdown ... it's a bit like trying to pee, you can't force it ... I need to make letdown happen magically for our dreamfeeds these days, anyway, as DS2 won't suck hard until there's lots of milk.

[Ruthiebaby]

OMG Chipmonkey..just looked up the Isis IQ duo ...like how much do they cost !! OMG

[chipmonkey]

I know, I know! I thought it was VERY expensive. I think I saw the lactaline for 75 pounds on an NCT site and a lot of people here say its great. I went for the Isis duo because I always found my Isis hand-pump better than the Medela hospital grade pump so I wanted one that was like that but doubled IYKWIM. And I have to say its really good. If pumping late at night I get twice as much in about a third of the time. I'm apparently one of the first to buy the duo, so Avent are going to ring me to ask how I find it! My only complaint will be the price and I will be telling them that most people I've talked to on MN find it prohibitively expensive!

[chipmonkey]

btw, if he's going to bed that late and you're working I would not suggest setting your alarm to pump. You need your sleep and its not like he's a preemie newborn!