Expressing-advice

[mummynumnum]

With dc2 I am bf like before with dd1. She would never take a bottle of ebm and would like dc2 to. HV said 4 wks is a good time to start trying. Can people offer advice about best time to express, when to offer, bottles that are good. Storing,heating etc..

Struggling to even get going with this in my busy days with dc.

My advice - don't bother! I spent ages expressing and then you still have to feed them later! Even if someone else does the feeding, one feed hardly frees you up as you've already put the time in expressing - if you see what I mean.

I expressed when I went back to work but didn't bother eventually when on mat leave. Was just easier to feed DD then mess around with sterilisers, bottles and pumps.

If you do go ahead - I found it can take a while to get established but then gets easier. You need to get the 'let down'reflex so looking at baby or thinking about them helps.

This is a bit long sorry

My LO is 7 weeks old and i have been expressing milk since the first week (early i know) so DH could do morning feed. I express first thing in the morning (7am)when i have most milk and store the milk in the fridge for DH to feed next morning at (5am). I am now able to express enough for 2 feeds so one express does two days bottles for dad or i can take one with me when we go out to save having to BF when out and about.

I think it is definately worth doing 1 bottle a day as it means baby is used to a bottle and can be left with relatives etc when u need to.

Breastmilk can be kept for 6hrs at room temp or 4-5 days in the back (coldest) part of the fridge. when needed just warm bottle in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Tommee tippee closer to nature bottles are quite good but fairly expensive. Boots do a cheaper own brand version which are just as good.

Be patient when expressing it can take up to a couple of weeks to express enough for a full feed.

My dd is 5 weeks old now and I try to express most days.

I have a Tommee Tippee manual pump that is £12 in most places and its great! Although, I use Avent bottles.

I used to express after dd's morning feed but didnt even get an ounze. Now I do it mid morning about an hour after her feed or in the afternoon and can get 3oz on a good go!

It is handy to have it if you are going out. I fridge mine and have read it can be stored for 8 days

I started when dd was 2 weeks old and it is ok. Just a pain having to wash and sterilise everything

I didn't bother with dc2 as it was hard to fit in expressing and looking after a toddler. Now at 5 months I can't get him to take a bottle at all. Big mistake!

Can you try expressing once they are in bed? You might have a little less milk in the evening but at least you can do it in peace and quiet.

I have exclusively expressed from birth. You can express anytime of the day. Sounds like night would suit you. I haven't really found that there is a difference in the time of day with the amount. (other than 1st thing in the morning as he has slept through so it has been about 8 hrs and I get 2 feeds worth). Generally get more if I have eaten and had plenty of fluids. Wouldn't express straight after a breast feed though as they will have taken most of the milk. Also be prepared to try for at least 10 min per breast or at least until you get the 'let-down'. Good luck x

With DS I used to express during his first big feed of the day - with him on one side (balanced on my V cushion) and the pump on the other. That way I benefited from the natural let down he generated. It was fiddly to start with but worth doing. I hope to do the same again with no. 2. DS started taking a bottle at around 4 weeks (TT Closer to Nature) with no confusion between teat and nipple.

i started expressing last week a trying DS 5weeks with a bottle.
i find mid morning easiest to express i have a Medela swing which is great eletric pump. A revelation after using manual pump with previous DC.Today managed to express while feeding got 5oz!!!!
I use nuk glass bottles as can't be hooped sterlising so just chuck them in the dishwasher. cos they are glass they don't discolour.
i have to go back to college next week so have a wee stock going and DS has just today accepted the bottle and DH did a whole feed. Took about 5 days but i am so happy and sad that he doesn't just need me.

I bought a medela swing if you can afford it would be great to get one! It was fab I used manual for ds and was useless and used the electric swing and got 4 oz almost everytime. You can freeze it to can't remember how long lasts could be a month. I used to freeze mine and rotate it.

DC1 refused a bottle (took it for a month or so then refused but I was only offering it 2/3 times a week). So, with DC2 I have been expressing and giving a bottle EVERY day since 4 days old. I just express from one side first thing in the morning and (usually) this is enough for one bottle. I find I have most milk then so only have to wash/sterilise everything once a day.

I use the Mam bottles (Mam teet will also fit in Avent bottle) as these are what everyone told me to try when DC1 was refusing a bottle.

I express today for tomorrow iyswim. It's a throw back to when she was very tiny and awake all night so we could take turns but I still do it now so I know the milk is there in advance (if we decide to go somewhere at the last minute and I haven't managed to express enough to last her while out etc.).

I am happier feeding dc2 with bottle when we are out and it's also much quicker so i can concentrate on DC1. If I am going out for a while I take flask of hot water, if I am going straight to a toddler group/rhyme time I am naughty and heat it before I leave because boiling water and toddlers isn't great and neither is a screaming baby in a library!

Have manual avent pump and a medela electric. Didn't like the electric so went back to using the manual!

It's a commitment but personally I feel it's worth it and makes bf more tolerable for me if I only have to do it at home. I also think it helps that DC2 doesn't feed so much for comfort and so food is food however it's given if you get me?!