potential daft issue: trying to build up a stash of EBM for the freezer - how do you do it when you are exclusively BF?

[munchkinmum]

This may seem to be a daft question but I'm trying to win back a bit of freedom in the evenings by expressing and giving EBM.

However, finding it difficult to do this as I can only get 2 oz at a time as my ds is taking loads of my milk through normal daytime feeding!

Any tips for getting more or boosting supply?

[AnotherFineMess]

Do you leak on the other side when you're feeding? I was filling cupfuls of those milk collector thingies so I used to sterilise them and then collect the contents to be frozen.

Not sure you could rely on just this as it is maybe just foremilk (???) but I found it an easy way of boosting what I also expressed with a pump.

hth

[Hannah81]

Try expressing in the morning on the other side while your LO is feeding - then just try every feed until you get enough. You can top it up in the fridge throughout the day and when you have enough, pop it in the freezer.

To get more/boost supply - put your baby to the breast more often is the best solution and PUMP PUMP PUMP!!!

Good luck!
x

[skidoodle]

you could express a little after morning feeds when your supply is highest.

2oz at a time soon adds up you know. You can fill your freezer with 2oz at a time Plus the more you do it the more milk you should produce.

Huge disclaimer: this is what I did and it worked for me, but I am very far from an expert on any of this.

We had latching issues at first, so I have been expressing right from the beginning so there was something of a mismatch between supply and demand for a couple of months or so.

[nik76]

I did it by pumping on the other breast after first morning feed. Had to be done straight away so ahd time to produce more before next feed. if lo doesn't take as much as you think she does normally finsh off by pumping.

You will find that just as with a growth spurt, your body will get used to it. If I've been focusing on pumping for a few days and then stop can defo feel the difference!!!!

Good luck - oh and by the way it it is best to freeze in smaller amounts anyway, firstly helps make up to the right amoutn no matter when and secondly defrosts quicker. I don't think BF baby are as patent when it comes to waiting for a feed.

[nik76]

Sorry forgot to say I've always found it helps to either look at lo or have a photo to look at - brain thinks it them being fed I think.

[MrsJamin]

I always do it after a night-time feed, from the other side, manage to get loads in 5 mins (my personal best was 7oz from one side!), only trouble is it wakes you up a bit so you need to be good at going back to sleep. Also you have to go downstairs, put it in your bags, put it in the freezer etc. Also someone told me that your milk is richest at night so it will do a good job of filling DS up quickly.

I could never manage to fit it in in the day as well - always thought I would run out for DS!

[munchkinmum]

thanks for the hints girls!

munchxx

[MrsJamin]

oh and do make sure your freezer door is shut properly. mine wasn't yesterday and low and behold I'm just about to throw all my EBM away oh well there's no point crying over spilt milk [buh-dum-tish]