expressing- when and how much?

[lazzaroo]

I have 8 week old little girl, my first baby. I am hoping soon to try and give her a bottle so that I am able to express and let someone else feed on occassions.

When is the bast time to express, how much is it okay to do at one time and how much will she need for a feed?

I am concerned not to interfere too much with the milk supply.

I find it easiest to express in the morning with ds on one side and expressing from the other (so that the let down works), personally I always get as much as I can at each time as I'm lucky if I can manage 1-2fl oz. When ds was that age then I would give him 3 or 4fl oz at a feed and he would generally take most of that.

If you're like me it may take a few days of trying to be able to express very much at all - but then some people seem to be able to express easily so who knows!

Afaik expressing isn't going to adversely affect your milk supply as the more that is demanded (by the baby or the pump) then the more your body will make - but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable on that will be along soon!

Good luck

Invest in some breast storage bags so you can freeze small quantities of milk when you express.
I used to express the second side if my DS had not taken much for that feed.
It's quite difficult to fit between feeds at that age as they are feeding so frequently.
I'm like cassell and could only express small quantities but as I would express once or twice a week it would give me enough in the freezer if I was to be away for a feed.

I think I started giving DS1 a bottle too early & my supply wasnt settled - he was 5 weeks, but i think 8 weeks would be fine.

DH gave ds1 bottle at "bed time" around 6ish, I then expressed around that time (or slightly later) I froze my EBM & used it when weaning in cereal/food or when I went out on my own. You can defrost it just by running it under a hot tap for a minute or so.

You dont express as much as baby would get directly from you, so you may find baby doesnt go as long between feeds.