When to start expressing for occasional night feed?

[PinkPepper]

I expecting my first in July and am pretty read up on what to expect the first month or so of breastfeeding except for when I can express. I don't want to replace anything on a regular basis but I am just wondering when it may be possible to go a night with just expressed milk, I know some babies refuse bottles, and I don't want to introduce anything if there is going to be nipple confusion or any other problems.

I don't want to sound selfish already thinking about this but for example my SIL has invited me to a hen do in September and I'd rather be able to build up a back up of expressed milk for DP to feed just that night (even if I have to hand express or something for comfort on the night).

Do most people find that possible after 2 months?

Hi PinkPepper. My DD is 15 weeks so I can tell you what I've been doing until now if that helps.
I had the same thoughts as you and hoped that there wouldn't been any nipple confusion if I introduced bottles occassionally and luckily there hasn't been (I use the Tommee Tippee bottles, don't know if that helps, every baby is different...).
I don't know the exact date but I am sure I was expressing by 2 months and building up a store in the freezer for night/days out. I think it will depend maybe on how long your baby sleeps for/how long your supply can build up before you express. At the moment I feed from one side and express from the other most mornings after DD has slept for about 8/9 hours and get 4/5 oz which I freeze as one feed.
I'd definitely say it is worth a go as I have really valued the odd day/night out which I wouldn't be able to do without being able to defrost a couple of these portions from the freezer!

My baby is 2 1/2 weeks old. We started expressing at one week old, just little bits at first to get him used to the idea, and now I can manage to pump enough for one feed a day if I want to. I'm really really glad I started early. The ability to go to express a bit at 9pm, go to bed early, and have my partner do the next feed has actually kept me sane in the last week. The baby is certainly not confused by the bottle and we are using the newborn teats that are recommended for breastfed babies.
I try to express a bit three times a day so I don't have to do a mammoth session.