loads of expressing questions all at once

[spots]

Ok, so in between all the various safe-storage and sterilisation tactics that keep nasty bacteria away from your baby I've got lost. I want to express enough milk, bit by bit (I'm a novice at expressing: 2fl. oz. per shot at best) for a NIGHT OUT.

I think you have to freeze immediately if you're going to freeze, but I produce so little at a time I don't have enough for a container. Is this why people use ice cube trays? how do you keep them sterile as they're not lidded?

Can I add to an 'expression' over the course of a day before freezing? or express on top of a frozen bit and then re-freeze?

Also, is it true that you get better at expressing as you go on... in which case, why? Does the let-down change or is it purely skill?

...cheers...

Sorry about the terrible grammer and spelling below

Breast is never empty just nearly. Even if I get 8 oz out then dd is still able to have a good feed straight away. Babies are more effecient than expressing to get the milk out.

Hiya spots, It is UNBELIEVABLY important to take some time out, so if you want a night out, give the little one formula milk. It won´t do her any harm. My dd was 2mths premature and in the incubator for 1 + 1/2 months so she NEVER drank off the breast, only formula, today she is PERFECT. Dont let that stop you from taking a little "me" time!

there was a scandinavian woman in Real mag a few months ago who expressed 2 litres per day - she used to flog it to a hospital milkbank and bought a new car with the proceeds!

I guess it depends partly on your family history. Some believe that for under 6 months formula can affect the baby if there are allergies. Exclusive bf to 6 months means no formula before this age.

How old is your baby spots?

She's 10 weeks on friday hercules. We do have the odd allergy in the family so I'm keen do avoid formula if poss. I know how available it is, should I want to rush off for a night... but I've managed to sustain b/f through a couple of tricky patches and feel it's almost like a project in its own right! Our night out is forst wedding anniv., in August, so lots of warning should allow me time to get a wee stock in the freezer

Your baby will probably only need a few lots of 2 oz.

I don't know how long a night out you want, but DD takes a lot less from the bottle than from the breast. I may only be able to pump 2 oz normally, but that 2 oz is good for about 6 hours out if I feed before I leave -- it's 3-4 hours before she decides it's worth drinking it and even then she generally only takes 2 oz. Then she nurses like mad when we are reunited. Probably if it happened more regularly she'd drink more, but she's not frantic about it or anything. Note that she's 4.5 months and still normally feeds every 2 hours.

Bloody norah, right then... was imagining she'd need at least 6oz. Suppose it's worth experimenting in advance of the night itself to find out what she needs. thanks chaps.

I always imagine she'll need at least 6 oz and will have guzzled it all and be traumatized. Then she eats 2 oz and I end up wasting milk and being traumatized. Oh well. It also depends on who I leave her with; DH gives her more milk as he can't think what else to do and will try hard to get her to eat, while my father will offer just as often but not push it if she decides she's not hungry enough to take a bottle.

Certainly don't put more than 2 oz in a bottle; that just leads to heartbreak. With breastmilk you can offer the same bottle multiple times, but not the next day -- whatever you leave in one bottle will have to be thrown out if she doesn't eat it while you're gone.

Spots, if you express 2 ozs into the bags and freeze them then when shes due a feed one can be defrosted and given, if she needs more then you can just defrost another bag. That way you arent wasting any. My DD who is 7 weeks takes approx 4-5 ozs each feed of ebm.