Express or formula while away from baby - help!

[hiccupgate]

My seven week old is EBF. I would like to be able to express and let others do the odd feed so I can have a break. There are also three days that I know of before weaning that I will be away all day. My plan was to try a haaka then a single manual, given the volume of use we'd be looking at. So about a £50-£75 outlay for pump, bottles, steriliser and storage bags. DP thinks that for this money we'd be better off feeding formula when I'm away or need a break. He won't countenance an emotional or "non-logical" non-financial argument against this but I am very uneasy in case of supply issues - breastfeeding has been going so well and I don't want anything to mess with that. There may be other problems I haven't thought of.

I also think I'd probably need a pump of some kind anyway to prevent engorgement when I'm not there?

This is not about us not having the money, we absolutely do - DP had just worked out the cost per feed and concluded formula is the better bet, the benefits of breast milk notwithstanding.

Opinions? Am I just being precious about EBF? I just feel like I might be steam rollerered into something that just doesn't feel right.

[StripyDeckchair]

I can't quite believe your DH would try to argue against the feeding choice you want on the basis of cost.

If that really is the way it is, not only does he need to rethink his priorities, he needs to reconsider his maths. Breast milk is free. Once you have bought the breast pump (which will come with a bottle, though you may need to buy teats and a spare bottle) that's you're outlay done. Okay, you may need a few storage bags once in a while. They don't just stop drinking milk at 6 months. In fact milk is likely going to be the main thing he's interested in until about 1. So you will likely express on many, many occasions.

After 1 he can have cow's milk but you still might be feeding and might want to express. I last expressed for my DS last week when I was away for a night and he is 22 months. So, you can tell him you get your money's worth from a breast pump.

Then tell him that you'll feed the baby in the way that's right for baby and you, whatever he says.

[Hunkyd0ry]

If baby is EBF I’d worried about the impact on their digestive system suddenly giving them formula on a day. I’d stick to expressing personally.

[roley]

I am exclusively BF my now 6 month old and I leave expressed milk. She has tried formula 3 times and each time it has made her quite sick after a couple of ounce. I think it's because it's thicker and her stomach can't handle it. Mixing expressed milk and formula together is probably the answer to get her used to it but it's just as easy to express and leave that for her. If your baby can take formula no problem then that's probably your simplest solution but just try her with it before you leave her incase she can't tolerate it

[Megasaur5keeper]

Just to say- haakaa have a sale on atm- their pumps are 70 percent off. There's a pack on the website for about 9 quid that has a pump and stopper in it.
In my experience you would need some kind of outlet while you're away anyway so yes, you'd probably need a pump anyway.

[Megasaur5keeper]

Also- you don't need a steriliser if you are only using bm- hot soapy water is enough (per Scottish nhs guidance); but you could either boil or cold water sterilise anyway.
I'd try to get a kit with a manual + electric option.
And you could say to your dp that if you are away, don't express and end up ill with mastitis the time he'll need to take off work to look after the two of you will be more than the outlay. And what stripydeckchair said.

[Natsku]

You will need the pump when you are away anyway so tell your DP that it's either pay for the pump AND pay for the formula or just pay for the pump. Let him work out which is cheaper...

[Nowthenforever2019]

You can use pumps for multiple children too, so if you have another baby you've already bought it

[InDubiousBattle]

Even if your baby has f whilst you're away, you will want to express to stop engorgement. Just buy the pump.

[HolidaysorBust]

I have a steriliser but found it's actually easier to cold sterilise with Milton for the very rare occasions we've needed to (I have a bottle-refuser). It's also useful for cleaning grotty bath toys etc. Given that you need a pump for while you're away anyway, I'd be amazed if formula were cheaper (not that cost should be the deciding factor).

[hiccupgate]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I swear to god I shouldn't even have to debate stuff like this :(

Does anyone have any good sources of info related to this topic? I've checked Kellymom.

Thanks.

[InDubiousBattle]

Google 'causes of mastitis, nhs', plenty of stuff there on why you can't just stop bf without the risk of mastitis.

[FortheloveofJames]

As already advised you’ll need to pump if you plan to be away all day. You don’t know how often baby will be feeding at that time and will end up needing to express for comfort. Investing in a decent pump more than pays for it self in the long run. If you decide to have more children it’s something you won’t have to buy again.

Is money a genuine issue or is it money he’d just rather not spend?

[hiccupgate]

FortheloveofJames it's money he'd just rather not spend.

[FortheloveofJames]

Honestly if you can afford it, and it’s something YOU want- it is definitely worth it. A haaka is meant to be really good and not too pricey. Manual hand pumps are cheaper aswell. As others said you don’t need to buy a steriliser, or you could easily get one second hand for very cheap. Bags are minimal for about 50.

[anniehm]

If you are away from your baby you will need a manual pump otherwise you will be in agony! I cut my honeymoon short (was meant to be two nights came back after 24 hours) because I forgot my pump!

[TheLastPharl]

Is your DH for real?
He is being so incredibly unreasonable.
Just go out and buy the pump op. You shouldn’t have to waste time showing him links to websites etc. My twins are ebf and there’s no way I would give them formula. I’m actually furious on your behalf.

If it’s statistics he wants then how about telling him that giving formula increases the risk of SIDS?

[TheLastPharl]

Plus as others have said you’ll need to pump while your away anyhow. You’ll end up engorged and in agony otherwise!