How much to express - 5 wk old?

[alp]

Hi - I have a night out!!! and will be leaving my 5 week old BF baby with my in-laws. How much milk do I need to leave them for 1 possible 2 feeds? He is 11lb and usually feeds for 40mins, both breasts, 5 times a day.

Can anyone help me work it out?!

This will probably be unhelpful, but I would express as much as you are able - much more than you think you will need because otherwise you will be too worried about baby running out of milk to enjoy your night out.

I would also leave some formula milk (you can buy cartons ready made and sterile) as an emergency supply just in case.

I have a night out planned for when my baby will be the same age; I am not very good at expressing so I am going to test to see if baby will take a few formula feeds from my husband a couple of nights before, at the same time of night with me hiding elsewhere in house. If this goes OK then Im going out and baby will have had a few formula feeds. If it does not work out, I will not go out!!!

Also, if you have room in your handbag, take your express device with you to express excess milk into the toilets as you will probably get sore if you are missing 2 feeds! Then your breasts will just think baby has fed and will make more for when you get home. Good luck!

this from Kellymom is really helpful.

Agree with egg that you should express as much as poss though.

Enjoy your night out

Thanks for the tips. I have 9oz already stocked up so I am well on the way there!

They tend to drink more from a bottle as it's easier - prob at that age I'd leave at least 5 oz per feed and have some extra just to be sure.