Assume you can still increase supply when baby 6mo?

[Jammers]

DS is 6mo and I had intended to start introducing the odd bottle of formula once he started on solids. However, I am pretty sure he has cows milk protein allergy so this is no longer an option. I am therefore, very reluctantly, making friends with my expressing machine - I want to build up a store of milk so that 1) I can possibly have some freedom occasionally and 2) I have a back up (always felt reassured that if anything happended to me DS wouldn't starve and am quite freaked out by the almost total reliance he now has on my bm).

I intend to pump regularly at 10am and 9pm but just wanted to check it still works the same way - if I do this consistently my supply will increase and I will have enough milk to feed DS and make a milk store?

No advice but just wanted to say that I completely understand why you feel freaked out by the potential allergy and your DS's reliance on you.

I felt exactly the same when we thought there was an allergy issue with my DS (thankfully there wasn't in the end). I had been very happy to BF but always thought it was my choice, not the only option IYSWIM. I felt the responsibility weighed very heavily on me. I did the same as you - expressed a lot so I had a nice backup supply in the freezer which made me feel much better.

I bet you'll be surprised how quickly you can build up quite a stash - I'm in the process of donating mine to a milk bank as DS doesn't need it!

Thanks HTHE and Mull. Mull - good to know you built up such a supply. After a very depressing start to the week when i was only getting 1.5 ounces in 30 minutes things are going much better and i'm now almost pleased thst i won't ever have to use formula! So true that you see things differently when you don't have an alternative. I may even start to enjoy expressing one day...actually, no, thst will never happen!

I never had to use formula with my second dc. It's nice!

Can you have a rule whereby 'mummy's expressing time' means you are left totally to yourself with tea, cake and a magazine? You can always lie exaggerate about the necessity for peace and quiet while expressing. You might then come to enjoy it .

Mull , do milk banks still exist? My mum donated when she had me, so I asked my midwife and HV and they both said they dont anymore!!

Shirleyhyypia yep there is the UKAMB website which shows which hospitals have them but there aren't many. I live in Devon and my nearest is Southampton. I posted about this on here and a lovely MNer pointed me in the direction of a satellite bank run by a midwife in Exeter! If you are interested I'd speak to your local hospitals.