Disadvantages to Expressing??

[pinkposey]

Hiya All,

More advice required please...

My son is 8 weeks old, and I have purchased the Medela Swing to express. I am exclusively breastfeeding, don't have to return to work, don't need to go out / away from my son for more than 2.5 hours and I intend to exclusively breastfeed for the initial 6 months.

Two questions. First are there any disadvantages to expressing?

For example, will it confuse my body as to how much milk to produce? - at the moment I am not leaking which seems like I'm producing exactly the right amount, and my son is progressing weight wise exactly as he should according to the doctor. I think our balance right now seems perfect and I don't want to disrupt that.

Secondly. I have no idea how much milk he drinks when he feeds from me, and I would have no idea how much milk to express into the bottle. Any ideas / tips for this also?

Given that I do choose to express, any other tips for an amateur would be welcome. Thank you!!!!!

Heather

On average a breastfed baby consumes 25oz a day, so either divide that by the number of feeds he usually has to get a typical feed, or leave an oz per hour you'll be away plus an extra oz or two.

If you're expressing to replace a feed direct from the breast, I don't think it will confuse your supply. If you're expressing in addition to normal breastfeeds then your supply will increase to accomodate that extra demand.

Your supply will adjust so its best to pump at the same time every day. Bf babies from 1-6 months take something around 750ml a day, so divide this by the typical number of feeds per day to get a ballpark volume per feed. I just express whatever I can express from 1 side while DD feeds off the other in the morning.
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