Help please with expressing

5 replies

NBM · 27/04/2009 22:21

My DD is 6 weeks old and I am thinking about expressing because 1) I want DD to be used to taking a bottle 2) I really want to have my hair done!

So my questions are

When should I express ie at the same time as feeding or between feeds?

If I express off one side should I feed of the opposite side next time?

Can I give a bottle once a week at random times without an effect on my supply?

Thanks

NBM

OP posts:

FrankMustard · 27/04/2009 22:26

HI,
I'm sure there are other MNers on here who are far better off at giving expressing advice, but FWIW, my experience of expressing was pretty positive. If I expressed, I would feed off the other side next feedtime and I found I had to express between feeds as being a buxom lass it was impossible for me to handle baby, boobs and expressing at the same time! As long as you keep up the feeds, you shouldn't have a problem with the odd bottle here and there but I was told that expressing doesn't have quite the same effect on your let down reflex as having your baby near and b/feeding so if you're keen to continue the bf as long as possible I believe it's important not to replace too many feeds with the bottle.
Hope this bumps up for you so you can get advice from the bf posse on MN.

fruitshootsandheaves · 27/04/2009 22:27

I found it hard to express enough for a full feed. I used to express after feeding to get any remainder
I don't know about giving a bottle as I never did.

sorry that was a completely useless answer really

foxytocin · 27/04/2009 22:32

1 some banies will staryt to refuse bottles after being fine with them for weeks.

take your baby to the hairdressers with you.

she'll probably be asleep when you get there. leave sleeping. feed when she wakes, she'll possibly stay awake a while to be rocked in her carseat and cooed at by the hairdressers and other clients. Go on, the hairdressers will love the distraction of her in the middle of their day.

foxytocin · 27/04/2009 22:33

typos, NAK

Original poster

NBM · 28/04/2009 10:06

Frank - Thank you - nice to hear a positive expressing story!

Fruit - Sorry you did'nt have much joy!

Foxy - I have thought about taking DD but TBH I don't feel comfotable having bleach on my head when feeding and DD more often than not does not open wide enough at first so it is a faff!

OP posts:

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