Expressing - does it get easier??

[EmMcK]

Hello all, I have an 11 week old ds who is exclusively breastfed. I have been doing all the feeds and loving it , but am now starting to express so that my dh can do a night time feed. I appear to be rubbish at it - it is taking eons to get even 100 mls. Does it get easier the more you do it? I have my ds in the room, and have had let down, but then the milk seems to disappear. I am a bit confused by this as he is a very efficient feeder, usually only takes about fifteen minutes or so and is gaining weight very well, so I am assuming is getting quite a bit.
Also, how much do your 3 month old bf babies take? I know every baby is different, but just to give me a rough idea...

[EmMcK]

Bump

[VictorianSqualor]

The way pumps get milk is different to the way babies get it, so there is no way to tell if you're going to be able to express a lot or a little.

There were times I could get full bottles in five minutes, others I had 20mls after an hour, try adjusting how you put it on the breast, or express one whilst you are feeding from the other.

I have no clue how much DS took whn he was three months old, but if your baby is gaining weight he is taking plenty, all babies (like adults!) take different amounts at different times.

Glad you're enjoying it

[Lilypink]

I def found that expressing while baby was feeding on the other boob was the quickest way. Bit tricky and bit of a balancing act - but worth the effort - as it flooded out! I was able to do this even though my dd would usually have a feed off both sides.

If all else fails - try formula for the odd feed, no point stressing about it and dh will love feeding baby.

[weeglenny]

Hi EmMcK - I'd asked a similar question a while ago to see how much a bf baby would take - the advice I was given (which made total sense) was to just keep giving your baby a little more each night until he seems satisfied so maybe try 5 fluid ounzes to start with, then 5.5, 6 etc

[EmMcK]

Thanks very much for the replies. I tried expressing while feeding him this afternoon and it was amazing the difference it made. Certainly interesting in terms of balancing baby and pump, but so much more milk and he seemed intrigued by the pump. Will also try the increasing a little each night trick and see where he is happy.
Thanks again all, I love MN

[LiegeAndLief]

Just to add yes, ime it definitely gets easier the more you do it. At 3 months ds would have about 4oz, but I guess every baby is different! I think he had more when bf but wasn't that keen on the bottle so just took the bare minimum.

[kelbel]

how did itt go emmck? my ds is only 5 weeks but thinking bout same thing soon. did he take to bottle ok? i've been using avent collection shells for weeks, just pop one in bra when feeding on other and usually get an ice cubes worth - not sure how much in oz or mls that would be - any ideas? anyway i pour into ice cube tray and freeze. will start expressing soon, but thus has been a good start and is so easy x

[dal21]

which pump are you using? I find the medela electric swing is fantastic and I can be done pretty quickly.

also when are you expressing? by 12 weeks, my supply was well established and I started expressing after the 7am feed. Even now (at nearly 20 weeks),I have enough milk first thing in the morning to feed DS and express another 7-8 fl.oz after his feed. I have found that later in the day I leave it, I wouldnt be able to get that amount in one sitting.

Re. quantity - at 11 weeks old, DS was taking 5-6 fl. oz worth of EBM for his dreamfeed. He is now up to 7 - 7.5 fl.oz.

[EmMcK]

Hello, pumping when either ds is feeding or just after is working really well. And also first thing in the morning as dal mentions is better. He has taken to the bottle well, but he is a bit of glutton so am not surprised [gtin]
I haven't tried the collection shells, might though - thanks for the tip!

[kelbel]

just expressed for the 1st time with a pump, was easier than i thought. what is a decent amount to express?

[Fennel]

I found it a lot easier if I was in the right mood. If stressed it didn't work. They used to recommend us to think about our babies but actually - my tip of the day - I found if you think about sex it worked better. They didn't tell us that in NCT classes. But whatever, if you are relaxed and not worrying too much about the amount it's easier.

[kelbel]

fennel? any idea what is average to express in one go? i guess it differs

[Fennel]

The amount totally differs I think depending on you and how long since the feed.

I used to get a couple of ounces in those shells while feeding - I was quite leaky.

At 3 months I maybe got several ounces at a go, or more - 6-8oz - if I'd been away from the baby for a few hours. but my babies weren't typical maybe in their feeding patterns.