Expressing Breastmilk

[Starlight9]

I am pregnant with baby number 2. I formula fed baby number 1 right from birth due to feeling a little uncomfortable about breastfeeding but being pregnant now (and a little more mature I hope!) I feel that I should atleast express milk if I am not going to breastfeed. - I do understand that is can be a little difficult but given that I am not willing to breastfeed, it is only fair that I do it.
Has anybody else expressed milk? If so, do you have any 'tips' at all surrounding it, such as which breastpumps are best and information on storing milk etc?

Thank you in advance

[jwpetal]

The Breastfeeding Network and Leleche League have some good information on expressing and storing milk. I would suggest going to these sources. As for a breast pump, I would suggest a hospital grade double electric breast pump. Many women express milk to give to their children. I had to do it with my prems.

You may have done this with your first, but it may be worth speaking to a breastfeeding counselor before you start regarding your concerns with breastfeeding in itself. NCT has BF support and this forms part of their training. It is not 'to talk you into it' but to help understand those issues around it and perhaps gain some comfort with it. I only suggest it as with Breastfeeding - it is suggested to express 6-7 times a day similar to how a baby feeds. I found it more tiring than breastfeeding itself.

Best of luck with your new little one.

[Starlight9]

Okay, thank you! I will have a look at those.
How would I go about getting in touch with a Breastfeeding Counselor? I will speak to my midwife when she visits me next week


xx

[eurochick]

I expressed (exclusively for 5.5 months and then mix fed for another three). My baby was a premmie and too small and weak to latch at the beginning, and then never got the hang of it.

It takes a fair bit of determination. You are always washing and sterilising pumps and bottles in the early days. I would say you need a supportive spouse - when he was home my husband was in charge of input while I took care of output! During the days I seemed to be always expressing or feeding.

I'm glad I did it but it would have been much easier if she had just breastfed!