Even though I've got 2 DS's, I need to ask a question about expressing.

[Chooster]

I've been exclusively breastfeeding my 6 month old DS2, and have only expressed to try him with a bottle and / or a cup recently. He was a little unsure but took about 1oz from both. I'd like to express every day so that one of his feeds can be a bottle (actually I'll probably try straight to cup). My reasoning is only to get him used to it.

So, my question is when to do it. I've tried in the evening, so 3 hours or so after his bedtime feed and nothing really comes out. If I try in the morning then he seems to not be getting enough at his next feeds. Even if I do try in the morning I only get about 3 oz? Any tips???

you could always try little and often, keeping a bottle in the fridge all day that you top up, or if he usually only feeds from one boob at a go, express at the same time from the other boob (you might get a lot more milk that way as well). expressing straight after a feed is worth a go as well
what kind of pump are you using? I had most luck with an electric, hand one didn't seem to do much.

if you are only thinking of getting him used to drinking from a cup, he will prob learn just as easily drinking water while having his lunch etc - so might not be worth too much hassle if you still find it hard to express enough for a feed.

If you hand express after each feed (keep two bottles in the fridge - express into one, and then transfer the milk into the other when cold so that you are only mixing cold milk), then its pretty easy to get a feed together, and its quicker than pumping which is a bit of a learned response anyway.
Then once you have a full feed of EBM you can express the feed that you don't give directly iyswim.

Thanks ladies - I think you are right about the water to teach him how to use a cup. I guess getting him used to a bottle / cup of milk just felt like something I should do . Hand expressing also sounds good and building up to a feed. I'll give that a go! Thanks