BF, what's the earliest I could express into say a beaker??

[SwivelHips]

DS is 3 wks tomorrow, I've been exclusively BF apart from the first week, he was in SCBU for the first week, I did BF during this time but they also gave him formula top up (long story) from a little beaker.
I understand about waiting 6-8 wks to avoid nipple confusion but could I express small amounts now into beaker/cup for the odd occasion or am I going to interfere with my milk production? (Its been a difficult 3wks BF and I dont want to spoil it all now just because I'm impatient). I find hand expression difficult so I'd need to get a pump.
Thanks

I don't see why not, as long as you express in addition to feeding, so you don't compromise your supply. And as long as baby still gets plenty of practise! Try a spoon if a cup doesn't work. Good luck!

Yes you can start expressing at any time. You're right that it's best not to give the expressed milk by bottle at this stage as babies use very different mouth actions when breastfeeding compared to bottle feeding. Cup feeding causes a lot less confusion.
The best time to express is an hour after feeds as that gives your breasts time to make more milk.
Good luck!

Thanks ladies.
I asked hv today and she still said 6 to 8 wks. Ds has colief and breast milk off a spoon and he's totally fine with that. Off to research breast pumps :)

Check out the Medela Swing. I love mine!

I'll have a look at that one if I manage to get Ds down today, he's a boob monster at the minute

I've got the Medela Swing too, while it's a good pump condensation always gets into the tube and never dries completely. And i don't have much milk, so in hindsight I should have got a double pump.

Mini couldn't you borrow one from the hospital? When Ds was on scbu that week girl in bed next door was expressing full time and she used theirs. Plus my friend has one on loan from hosp and I think she pays for that.