Expressing breast milk

[Rose2022]

Hi, my baby is 6 weeks old and I am EBF. I’d like to try and build up a freezer stash just for times like going out to the hairdressers etc. I currently only have a small amount which I collected in the haakaa, but I’m finding it a bit awkward to use with position of baby. I have also bought the Elvi catch cups but haven’t tried them yet.
I want to express some milk but I’m not sure about the best times to do this, I worry I will do it and then he’ll want feeding and I won’t have much left in my boobs. I’m also worried about creating an over supply and then getting engorged and sore etc.
How does everyone else do it? Advice please 😊

I would usually pump first thing in the morning on one side whilst my baby feeds on the other. I also used to pump in the night too with the same method of the opposite side to which baby was feeding. Never caused me any supply issues and it worked well. X

We do one bottle overnight that I usually pump during the day before. I find the best time is just after the morning feed on the breast he wasn't feeding on. I have found it difficult to build up a stash though as it's hard to find the time to pump one bottle for the night and one extra but if you're just pumping to store then it should be ok! I don't think I had any supply/engorging issues.

Thanks for your advice! Going to try pumping during the night/early morning 😊

Before building too much of a stash. Freeze what you have and then try to defrost it. Some milk doesn't freeze well (mine didn't) and then it would be a waste.

Also check your freezer and how long you can store it for. The NCT or NHS websites have all the info. If you're just freezing for an odd occasion, you don't need that much.

You can always express fresh for 1 misses feed if you need to.

I never got on with expressing and DC2 wouldn't take a bottle anyway. For hairdressing appointments I'd either take her with me (if allowed) or feed before I went and DH would bring her in if she needed feeding while I was there.

Thanks @Twizbe, I have defrosted some milk already and it seemed to be fine.
Pumped last night on the opposite side to baby and got 120mls so I’m happy with that 😊