expressing milk

[sharon137]

hi there - i have a five day old baby and have decided to mix expressing milk and breastfeeding. TBH, I have been more often feeding him expressed mik, as he has real trouble latching on to my boob and I get anxious, whih I know impacts on him - also, I have so much milk that expressing is a relief for me and there is always plenty in the fridge - plus DP is off with us now and it means he can feed bub too. I am happy to keep going like this, and bub seems happy too - is it ok to do this do you think? Thanks
A frazzled first time mum

Congratulations.

As long as your baby is getting enough milk, you can do whatever you like. The bit about your dp being able to help with the feeds is brilliant.

The only thing is when you get back on your feet, you'll find that it's just less hassle to breast feed because you aren't constantly sorting bottles, warming things up, and wandering about the house in the middle of the night. Your baby will get the hang of feeding quite quickly, just take your time and relax.

Breast milk is the original fast food, on tap, so I just found it more convenient.

Thankyou. Iam going to see a lactation consultant today about him latching on, so that night feeds are a bit easier - I dont ming faffing about during the day, but when its 3am its a bit depressing!
CAnt believe he is a week old now - has been such a rollercoaster, from mourning my old life (!) to feeling massive elation and just wanting to eat him cos he is so beautiful!!

Hope it went well yesterday. I had the same problem. I have to use nipple shields to help my little man latch on. He is now 7 weeks old and I still express once in the morning so hubby can do the 10.30 feed. Don't worry about expressing or feeding him yourself, do whatever you are happy with.

I would say it's very early to mix bottles and breastfeeding, I would be careful that your baby just goes for the bottles as they are easier to suck. By all means express a little if you're getting uncomfortable but I wouldn't get your baby used to expressed milk in a bottle until at least 4 weeks when your baby is breastfeeding well. My sister expressed for a year and it's a total faff that you could do without, breastfeeding au naturale is so much easier!

My daughter and I struggled with BF and, due to a lack of support and help, never succeeded It was discovered when she was 3 days old that she was tongue-tied and this can affect how they latch on. Her tongue tie then "came back" when she was 6 weeks old (so I was told) and they snipped it again but it was too late by then, she was accustomed to the bottle. I exclusively expressed for 14 months and have to say it was extremely hard going, both emotionally and physically. So, my advice would be to get the HV to check for tongue tie if they haven't already and nag nag nag to get some help with breast feeding if that's what you decide you want to do

I have a 3 week old girl, I rang the NCT breast feeding helpline, the lady I spoke to was really helpful and patient with me.