how much to express??

[nicg85]

DH and I are planning to go out for a few hours whilst the in laws babysit.
DD is 15 week and bf. I'm going to express a couple of bottles but wondering how much to express per bottle? How much does a baby at this age drink per feed on average??
Thanks

[ANiceSliceOfCake]

Sorry I can't help with the amounts, but have you tried a bottle yet? I ask because my 6 month old breastfed baby just won't take a bottle!it may be worth having a practice run.

[dlwelly]

Have a look at the Kellymom website. It's all estimates and averages but I think it says each feed is about 4oz.

I'd go with that plus some extra because you never know!

As PP said make sure you do a trial run of you haven't done already with the bottles to make sure your DD will take it - you might need to be out the room and let DH give it to her.

I've found it easier and quicker to warm the milk up in one one of the bags rather than a bottle so if you can get some of those it might make it easier for your in laws to get the milk ready quicker.

[nicg85]

She had a bottle when she was 8 weeks when I went out for my Xmas party and took it ok then.
Do you think we need to do a trial run before we leave her as its been 7 weeks since she last had a bottle?
Thanks for your replies :)

[jellybelly8]

Our DD downed a bottle on boxing day at about 5 weeks old, then had a two week gap and has since been on bottle strike! Will absolutely not take any of the 10 brands we have offered her! Looks completely bemused by the whole idea. Next I will leave the house to see if DH has any luck when I'm not there, in case she can sense me!

If it was me I would just double check that she will take the bottle before you leave in-laws in charge. Everything crossed for you, the prospect of a few normal hours together out in the adult world must be lovely!

[ANiceSliceOfCake]

Yes I agree to double check the bottle. Good luck.

[nicg85]

Thanks guys. If I'm honest I don't really want to leave her yet. Especially with the in laws as she's only met them a handful of times (they don't live near us).
I don't think I'm going to leave her now but if I do I'll try her with a bottle first. Xx

[Starman16]

Definitely try again with the bottle! My DS took his first couple of bottles fine at about 10 weeks...then was really hit and miss of he'd take them...and this last week (he's 16 weeks now) completely freaks out of a bottle so much as goes near his mouth Trial runs will also help you work out how much milk you need - I used Kellymom estimates but found out I have a greedy baby (!) and needed a fair bit more for a full feed.