Expressing advice - how much?

[WaitingForBabyD]

Hi, my DD is nearly 8 weeks old and I have decided to start trying to express so that my DH can do a bedtime feed and I can have a bit of a rest. I tried for the first time this morning using an Advent manual pump and only managed about 40ml in an hour and a half. I tried expressing off following a feed (last feed had been approx 3 hours ago) from the breast I hadn't fed on but did have to get DD to get the flow started a bit and also ended up trying the feed breast which I managed to get some milk from too. I'm going to keep trying this week but just wondered if anyone has any advice and in particular does anyone have any idea how much a 8 week old might need to feed full? She generally feeds every 2 hours in the day and every 3-4 hours at night after an initial 5-6 hours stretch from 8ish. I'm guessing I might have to consider an electric pump but don't want to spend the money if its not going to work out. Any thoughts / advice appreciated!

There is a realy good calculator on Kellymom website for working out how much per feed.

By the way 40ml is good going for a first attempt so don't be put off by that. Often take's time to build up how much you express at each seasion.

My DS is 8 weeks and usually gets through 3-4oz of breast milk per bottle feed. Sometimes a bit more and sometimes less. It usually takes me 2-4 separately pumping sessions to "fill" a bottle for him for one feed and it depends when I pump, how engorged I am etc.. Mornings work better for me. It took me a while to get used to it... So hang in there!

Thanks, the expressing is going much better now and I've reached the point where I'm producing more than she necessarily needs. A stupid question tho - if I'm doing multiple pumping sessions can I put the new straight into the same bottle as the old (that's been kept in the fridge) or should I use new bottles each time?

I think that you can combine milk from separate sessions but it must be the same temperature i.e. chilled, don't add warm milk to cold.

usual rule of thumb is 1oz/hr so if asks for a feed every 2hrs then 2oz, 3hrs 3oz, 6hr 6oz etc etc. kellymom will say never ever give more than 4oz at a time but many older BF babies will drink 6oz happily

My DD2 is 9 weeks old today and I have been expressing for the past few days to allow DH to feed her early evening and try and get her to sleep a little in the evenings. I usually manage around 90-100ml and she will take that. She is a petite baby (9th centile - same as DD1). I sometimes 'top up' the expressed feed with another breast feed.
40ml is great for a first go.I have avent electric pump which works well and have replaced the parts and re-used from first baby.

Just a word of warning - she may take a bottle just fine, but it may cause nipple confusion (happens sometimes but certainly not to all). Keeping with the slowest flow teat is best.

Also, be aware that missing that evening feed may mean that you end up with a blocked duct which can lead to mastitis. If you feel uncomfortable it's best to just feed her anyway, if possible.

These are just things to note. Many people find that this is a great way to get a break and I'm certainly not trying to put you off, just to ensure you are fully aware so you can keep an eye out for these things.