How can DP do the night feeds for one night?

[blackjacker]

DS is 15 weeks, EBF and still waking lots through the night

Whilst I know this is completely normal I'm exhausted and I've asked DP to do one night so I can get a full nights sleep. But logistically how does he do this? I'd like to express but will have to express over a few days to have enough for the whole night, so stupid questions alert...

I know breastmilk can be stored at room temp for 6 hours and in the fridge for 6 days. So can I express over a few days, keep in the fridge and then take out at say 10pm and keep at room temp until 4am?

If DS will take milk cold straight from the fridge, could I take out of fridge at 10pm and keep in a cool bag overnight?

If DS doesn't finish a bottle, does the rest of that bottle have to be discarded, and if yes am I best portioning out the milk into 6 bottles so DP won't have to throw a load away?

Get some lansinoh storage bags (amazon/boots etc) and freeze it when it comes down to room temperature. I used to express on my first feed in the morning as this is when I had most milk and would express from one side as DS fed from the other. I would then freeze it. You just then need to defrost it slowly at room temp. If you do it every day you'll also build up your supply which means that you'll be able to meet any increase in demand in a growth spurt. Good luck.

What might help too is if dp brings baby to you halfway through the night for a feed then takes baby away to settle. Even though it's not quite a full night's sleep you'll be more comfortable having emptied yourself so might get a better quality sleep. (Otherwise sleep with a towel ;-) )

Discard any unused milk max two hours after the baby's lips touch it.

The six hours out of the fridge really only applies to freshly expressed milk. Milk stored in the fridge for several days and then left at room temperature sounds like a
By far best practice would be

Posted too soon.

Like a bacterial nightmare.

Make up several small bottles in fridge. Bring kettle to where husband will be sleeping. As soon as baby stirs, he hits boil on the kettle. Goes to kitchen, gets one bottle, puts it in jug with boiling water to warm it. Test temperature after a minute or two (pour a drop onto his wrist, it should feel almost imperceptible, not hot and not cold). Shake bottle and serve once baby is fully awake to look for it.

Honestly it sounds way more complex than it is. And leave him to worry about logistics, you get your sleep!

Freeze the milk in 2oz bags (lie them flat in the freezer), and sterilise the bottles and put them together with the caps on.
Your dp can then take a bag out of the freezer, put the bag of milk in a sandwich bag (in case it splits) and put it in a jug of hot water.
It defrosts in seconds, and your dp can then tip the milk into the bottle and feed the baby.
If they are in the same room as you, your dp needs to be out of the room with the baby as soon as the baby wakes so you aren't disturbed

OK, sounds doable for one night! If (big if!) DS will take milk cold from the fridge as I've read some babies do, I guess I can skip the heating stage which will make things easier.

Plus if I can express right before I go to bed and leave the freshly expressed milk in a bottle plus he brings him to me for 1 feed then he only has to heat up 2-3 feeds.

Thanks everyone! I swear before I had a baby I had some problem solving skills...

I couldn't have gone all night without feeding at that stage without my boobs exploding? You might find you need to feed or express in the middle of the night to relieve the pressure.

Yes, the one amazing night (never again to be repeated) where he slept 10-5 my boobs were like rocks! DP will bring him to me for one feed, just got to work out which one will be best.

If it works well, why not make it a weekly thing? Mothers' sleep and need for proper rest is all too often undervalued.

Before trying this, make sure that your baby is happy to drink from a bottle... and that they will take the bottle from your partner, otherwise you may feel your planning and preparation has gone to waste.