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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

First Night out - First time Expressing

13 replies

poppymum11 · 09/04/2011 11:44

I have been solely breastfeeding my DD for 2 months now and have a birthday party planned for a week today. I wanted to make an appearance for a couple of hours but am worried about expressing for the first time. Not sure how much milk I need to express and if I start this weekend will there be enough for next week as I have not done it before. Also a bit worried that she will either not take the bottle or struggle going back to the breast? HELP!!

OP posts:
amberscow · 09/04/2011 17:11

Hi. not to worry alot of people have this issue. luckily its possible to freeze breastmilk so even if you only manage to express a little at a time you can store up enough to keep your DD going while you are out. i'd try to express at the end of each feed so that you know you are totally empty at first you may find that you only get 1 or 2oz but as the days go on you'll start making abit more.

i would also try to give your dd some of this a few days before you go to the party to get her used to the bottle. some babies take to it really quickly others may take a while. don't worry about her going back to the breast, if she's done it for 2 months its instinctive to her.

i found with my dd she would never drink more than 3 or 4 oz at a time. even at 10 months she only drinks 6 at a time
have you bought a manual or electric pump?

hope that helps

Original poster
poppymum11 · 09/04/2011 22:13

Hi there! Thank you so much for your advice! I have bought a manual pump so fingers crossed it will do the trick! I have finally taken it out the box and am in the process of sterilizing it so will hopefully manage to give it a go first thing in morning after her first feed. My main concern was not knowing how much to express as you don't know how much they take when they are breastfeeding! Also that I wont express too much after her feed so that there's not enough for her next! Am just panicking as really want to continue breast feeding for as long as possible! Will give it a go anyway!
Thanks again!

OP posts:
amberscow · 10/04/2011 12:32

dont worry about running out. first day or so you may need to feed her bit more often but then ur body adapts and makes more. and you never really run out, dd will just have to work a little harder to get it

just try expressing for maybe 15-20 mins at a time. you dont want to sit there for an hour but be prepared that you may only get a couple oz's

Longtalljosie · 11/04/2011 09:36

Pump on one boob, baby on the other. Sounds like a tremendous faff but trust me, it's the way forward. Your boobs will perform for your baby - they may not do so for a machine! Grin

Celia76 · 11/04/2011 13:15

Reading this with interest - DS3 7 weeks and just bought Aventis Electric pump (wow ££!), good expressing tips here thanks! I haven't opened the box yet as can't work out when to pump....

japhrimel · 11/04/2011 13:51

The rough guide for ebm is that bf babies take an average of 25oz or 750ml in 24 hours. So leave an oz for every hour you'll be away plus 1 or 2 extra.

If you pump first thing when you're the most full, it'll be easiest and there'll be plenty for baby without extra work.

Don't try to get loads and loads in a short time or your supply will up dramatically.

Original poster
poppymum11 · 11/04/2011 17:05

I finally started expressing yesterday morning about 11ish and I managed to get 1oz I thought this was a great achievement till partner asked "is that all?" hmm great confidence boost...MEN!! I tried again this morning and only got half an oz and barely anything this afternoon...maybe I'm trying too hard and should really do only one a day first thing in morning?!

OP posts:
IAmTheCookieMonster · 11/04/2011 17:15

I used to express for my driving lessons and would express an hour beforehand, I found that I could get 3oz. What I did find was that the days where I didn't get much were days when he didn't want any while I was away. Boobs are very clever :-)

I reckon 3oz would be enough.

Original poster
poppymum11 · 11/04/2011 17:21

Do boobs have a mind of there own haha?! Just panicking as its my first time expressing and don't want to leave her with not enough when I'm out! Just worried that what if I'm only able to express an oz a day you can't mix that all together at the end of the week so she'll be having little dribbles here and there!! Oh help!! Will hopefully be able to express more in the morning after her first feed! :)

OP posts:
IAmTheCookieMonster · 11/04/2011 18:41

you can add it together, if you freeze each "session" individually you can defrost them at the same time and put it in one bottle :-)

japhrimel · 11/04/2011 18:43

You can add it together, but if the first lot goes off, you'd have to chuck the lot which is why you don't mix days for storage.

Original poster
poppymum11 · 12/04/2011 13:50

Great news that I can mix! I have been expressing in the morning and freezing straight away so I can mix each morning feed together when I need to use as long as I defrost at the same time? :D what a relief....imagined Mr Man having to feed her little and often haha!! :D

OP posts:
harverina · 15/04/2011 16:15

Yeah just check each batch (smell or taste) before you mix it together.

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