expressing - how much and how often?

[mandycatwitch]

I have been BF for 6 wks now and want to start expressing so my partner can feed DD and i can go out for the day for a break. Also worried if I don't get her used to taking a bottle that she will refuse it. I wasn't sure though how of often should I express. Do I just do it as and when I need to or is it best to do it more regularly- One bottle feed a day or one bottle feed a week so she is used to taking both ok. Also how many ounces of expressed milk should she have on a feed- is it the same as what she would have if she was having formula?

up to you i suppose, how often were you planning on her needing to take a bottle? my dd is 8 months now and still refuses a bottle but she's fine with cups and has been for ages, so it's not necessarily bad if they refuse a bottle as such. i always got more milk if i expressed in the morning while feeding dd on one breast. i also found the electric pumps to be much more efficient so if you don't have much luck with one type of pump it's worth trying others
be careful at 6 weeks if you don't bf all day - you might well get v v uncomfy and need to express anyway.

Hi,

I managed to express for the first time yesterday 4 oz in 15 - 20 minutes mid morning this was when ds was asleep as found it easier with pump etc.

I stored it in fridge all day for evening when dp got home and ds only took 1 oz but then he refused so had to throw the rest away .. but i will keep trying ..

I tried last night also to express but had too much to do so its just finding the right time when you can rest and relax ..

I would say have a practise first and store abit each day in the fridge 1 - 2 oz and try each day or every other .. then start storing in freezer! Get a supply going ..