when can i start to express? baby now 5 days old.

[jenny260906]

Hi,

any advice mush appreciated. My baby is now 5 days old and as any new mum is, I exhausted and need a damn good night's sleep.

When can istart to express milk to enable his dad to feed him?

They usually say to wait for about two weeks to allow the baby to establish a natural flow of milk and for your body to recognise the demand. Saying that however, I expressed as soon as my milk came in and it was all fine.

thanks for that!

Could you please tell me what equipment i need to buy to enable expressing as i have no idea what i will need.

many thanks

just left answer on other thread sorry!

My midwife kept telling me not to express in the 1st few days, but i did anyway. I had enormous stripper-knockers, and needed some milk out! I had no problems, but my son was looking for the breast as soon as he was placed on me, and hasn't changed much since! I have a Advent breastpump, some bottles and some breastmilk containers (good for freezing milk for nights out etc)

I thought the usual recommendation was six weeks, but people like tiktok will be much better placed to advise.

My DH helped with night feeds by bringing the baby to me (while I stayed in bed). I would then lie in bed to feed the baby and DH would then do all the winding, changing and settling - which to me is the hardest part!
That's got to be easier than faffing about sterilising bottles and expressing surely.

Wow wordgirl- my fella sleeps through anything! (He is hands on while conscious though!)

You really can express at any time but to be honest it is better to wait until at least 3-4 weeks to give your baby time to really learn how to breastfeed well. As much as a night's sleep is inviting, the lack of breastfeeding during the night has a directly negative effect on milk production. Also giving a baby a teat in the first few weeks can cause nipple confusion in some babies. Better that you try to catch up on sleep during the day when your baby sleeps.

Hand expressing is a good knack to learn when you do express - cheap as well.

You really can express at any time but to be honest it is better to wait until at least 3-4 weeks to give your baby time to really learn how to breastfeed well. As much as a night's sleep is inviting, the lack of breastfeeding during the night has a directly negative effect on milk production. Also giving a baby a teat in the first few weeks can cause nipple confusion in some babies. Better that you try to catch up on sleep during the day when your baby sleeps.

Hand expressing is a good knack to learn when you do express - cheap as well.

I expressed milk on day 2, baby wasn't latching on & I was in hosp. after caesarean & the midwife suggested it because he hadn't had a proper feed. Got about 30ml which she said was ample for a newborn.
When I got home 2 days later I carried on expressing for DP to do the night feeds because I was anaemic & shattered after the op. Didn't have problems with the milk flow, got up to 160ml. Being tired had a more detrimental effect on my milk flow.
DS happily switched between bottle & boob once I got the latching on right, & still does 9 mths later. Good luck & congratulations Jenny.

PS we bought a manual breast pump, spare containers for freezing & microwave steriliser though I've since found out that if you put baby stuff through a dish washer it cleans & sterilises. (I'd still be twitchy about dishwasher powder residue with a newborn )

agree with mears

give up on the idea of a decent nights sleep for a while

It's never too early to start practising expressing, particularly if using a hand pump, as it can be a bit tricky to start with.

You could then freeze anything that you express for when the baby is 6 weeks old and less likely to get nipple confusion.

In the early days when you are feeding all the time it's hard to find time to express unless you do it whilst feeding so it can be quite tricky and it's a tough enough time without making life more difficult for yourself.

If you just use this as a practise time and freeze whatever (quite small amounts at first)you manage to pump then when your baby is 6 weeks old you will be well ahead of the game and that can feel great.

Breastfeeding can seem quite labour intensive at first but further down the line you will reap the rewards, when you can walk out the door at 2 minutes notice with just a few napppies and some wipes in your bag and not have to faff about preparing bottles and getting together all the required equipment. It also makes night-time feeds much easier in the long run although it may not feel like it now when you have to do it all.

If you need to catch up on some sleep, do it at anytime of the day hen baby lets you. Things will get easier, keep at it and well done.