Expressed milk routine

[Blueeyedgirl21]

Hi
just wondering if anyone could help!
I have a 9 day old and feeding is going well
she latches amazing and enjoys her food!
think she is a little refluxey as she does vomit quite a lot but going to discuss with midwife and this week

anyway I hav been expressing milk to stop the hard uncomfortable feeling in my boobs, normally just get about 100ml a day with a hand pump. I’m wondering what the protocol is for using the milk. For example, if my dp wants to give her an bottle of it so I can nip to the supermarket or something.

we have 180ml bags in storing the milk in in the freezer.

would it be just remove bag from the freezer and defrost in a jug of hot water?? Then feed 90ml (I’ve read this is the right amount for 1 - 6 week olds?) and the other half of the milk keep in the fridge for the next feed and dispose of within 24 hours?

i don’t want to get the storage/defrost stuff wrong !

also how do people take expressed milk out with them? DP suggests for a day out for example we should take it out the freezer, put in a cool bag and then when we need to use it either ask for hot water in a cafe etc or take a flask of it with us.?

any tips for a good routine appreciated!

I will still be bf’ing this is just to use the occasional bottle if we want to
thank you all x

Congratulations on your little one.
There is good information on the NHS website and I would suggest look for a local breastfeeding support group - they will be able to answer questions and also it's a nice way to connect with other mums or know where are good cafés near you that fit a pram easily etc.

I'm no expert but I think 90ml is a lot for one feed for your baby just now, their stomach is quite small. I had a feeding plan from the hospital at that point and they advised maybe 45ml and increased gradually.

If you're going out and want to use expressed milk it can keep for 6 hours outside the fridge if you've just expressed it. I am not sure about the guidance for defrosted milk but I think it's best to defrost in the fridge, once fully defrosted use within 24 hours. So you might want to freeze some smaller quantities.

It will keep for 6 months frozen.

The first time I went out I brought expressed milk but my baby got hungry again quite quickly and I managed to feed her and since then prefer to feed her direct when out so I don't have to faff with bottles and heating milk.