expessing for first time - how much will my baby want

[pud1]

not sure if this is a daft question. i am expressing for the first time and was windering how much i will need for a feed. my baby is 2 weeks old. would i need the same amount as i would if she was on formula.

[Imawurzel]

pass, someone will know, i'm expressing,i manage to get 4fl/oz in 10 mins from one boob.DD is 6 weeks old but she doesn't like the bottle yet but i'm still trying.

[pud1]

what pump you using. i have managed 1oz in 30 min

[Imawurzel]

i've got the avent isis manual one.

[fleacircus]

I think 2-4oz is about normal for a feed. If I were you I would store it in small quantities so you can offer her an ounce or two and then a bit more if she finishes it, just because throwing precious milk away is going to depress you if she doesn't drink it all. Also don't be disheartened if you don't get a lot the first time you try, it took me a while to get the hang of it and I still haven't managed to get DD to accept the bottle of EBM. Good luck!

[pud1]

am on tipee manual. if i got 4 oz of i would be dancing in the street

[dilbertina]

probably not - as you are probably feeding more frequently, will let someone more knowledgeable answer that though!

I would say though - do not get carried away with expressing first few time, build it up slowly...it will probably take you quite a few goes to get enough for a feed to start with until milk supply builds up.

From bitter, and painful experience if you do too much too quickly you will get very sore nipples. Initially I found it helped to express a little from one side whilst feeding baby from other as let down will happen much more easily.

You can always freeze small amounts of breast milk and then combine for a feed.

Finally don't be alarmed if breastmilk has a slight almost green tinge to it - freaked me out...oh and it seperates in fridge really quickly - hasn't gone bad just shake it to remix!

HTH!

[fleacircus]

Oh, highly recommend the Medela Swing pump, it's expensive but works well. Also if you can manage it and DD is cooperative (and having someone else to help by pressing the on and off button is useful) I find I get more milk more quickly by pumping from one breast while she feeds from the other.

[Imawurzel]

like fleacircus says, keep trying,you'll get there.
My mum suggested having someone else feed DD with a t-shirt of mine wrapped around her so she can smell me and think she's actually on the boob.
Not tried that yet.
Good luck, lemmee know how you get on.

[dilbertina]

no no no do not express for 30mins - you will get sore nipples! I have sore nipples thinking about it!

If it's working properly you will see milk squirting out, if not try different position, look at baby etc to encourage let down.....

[pud1]

it wasnt 30 mins solid. i had a 2 hour break.