A question about expressing.

[BlackLetterDay]

Hi I am currently in the process of giving up bf my 4 week old, we still have a bf first thing in the morning and I have been expressing regularly but this is unsustainable. If I express say 3 times a day and get say 14oz, will this go on indefinatley or will my supply just dwindle? Not really sure how it works with expressing long term. Thanks.

AS long as you keep taking the milk, your body will keep making it. I am no expert but I am not sure 3 times a day at this satge is snough though.
I would recommend the NCT bf helpline 0300 330 0771 as they are excellent and give honest unprejudiced expert advice!

It depends a bit on the pump however as your baby is still very young and your milk supply is still getting up and running then I'm afraid it's likely you would see some supply reduction.
Even the cleverest pump in the world can't reproduce the wave-like motion a baby does with its tongue and lower jaw which stimulates your prolactin hormone governing supply.
There are people who pump in the long-term but it isn't easy. The PP is right that removing the milk is certainly the key to maintaining supply but babies do more than just that and it's all about hormones at the end of the day. Many mums who pump long-term find themselves pumping for longer/ more frequently and often end up taking herbs or medication. The fact you are doing at least one feed at the breast would help but it's unlikely to be enough with only 3 other additional pumping sessions.
Everyone is different though and it's hard to make rules about milk supply. It's certainly worth a go and it's likely you'll have some milk for her for as long as you want to.
I would definitely agree with the suggestion to call a helpline though. Talk through your choices with someone who can tell you all the facts and help you decide what you really want to do.

My friend expressed long term (8months) and was able to produce 20oz a day in maximum two sessions by 3 months! She hired a hopital grade machine for about £40/ month (comparable with formula costs? Not sure?). Definitely suggest discussing this in depth and keeping up that BF until you are sure of your decision.