Expressing novice

[brillopads]

DD is almost 7 months and I guess we'd like to be able to leave her with GPs for a short time, as she is EBF BM is the one thing granny can't provide.

I have a manual pump & have bought some storage cups in order to express when convenient for me and hopefully build up a small supply for the freezer.

Q- How much should I express- i.e.the cups I bought hold 180ml/ 6oz
Would this be roughly one feed?

Q- If I manage to express roughly 2oz per 15min pumping is it better to freeze straight away & add to it, or is it okay to leave the BM out/ in the fridge incase I get a chance to pump more than once during the day?

Q- how long can be BM be kept in the freezer?

and defrosting- just overnight in the fridge?

kellymom is brilliant for answering these sorts of questions. I am sure someone will be along to answer them directly soon though!

I dont know about quantity as my LO is only 3 weeks old, but she takes 110ml per feed at the moment (about 3.5oz)
Breastmilk lasts 6 hours at room temp
3 days in fridge (not in door compartment)
3 months in freezer
6 months in deep freeze

You can keep topping up a bottle in the fridge with expressed milk and then freeze it within the 24hr period you 1st started the bottle (midwife adviced me this)

I think bf babies don't
Increase quantities as much as formula fed so I think 4 oz would be enough for a feed, also at 7mo chances are that your dd will cut back on bfs during the day relatively soon. In another month or so you may find you can leave her without bm and just with water and a snack instead. My ebf dd wouldn't take any milk except from me but was fine left with water and a snack in place of a feed. I gave her yoghurt and cheese so at least I felt she was getting dairy :)

I always froze each pumping. Found it better to have lots of 2oz packets so could use some in food etc rather than one big 6oz packet. Also meant I cpuld defrost 4oz for a feed and get more from freezer if needed (rarely) rather than pouring 2 precious undrunk ounces down the sink. This was for DS - as I said, dd refused anything but direct from source :)