Breastfeeding and expressing

[SophieStripe]

Hi, 30 weeks with first baby and plan to breastfeed for the majority of the time, to around 1year. I know things may not work out like that but I'll deal with that if and when it happens. From 2-3 weeks I will start to express, mainly to allow dad to give bottle in the evening but also to build up a stash that can be used if others are looking after baby, grandparents etc or if I go out by myself. I would say baby will be with me 80-90% of the time so it will be for the odd evening out, going for haircut etc and for dad mainly. What do I need? Do I need a steriliser for bottles? I am looking at tommee tippee express and go kit where you clip the express pouches straight into a bottle - seems pretty efficient! Or should I buy regular bottles like mam (they seen to have good reviews?) a pump and milk storage bags? Do I need an electronic pump or will manual do? Single or double?

I started out with a Phillips manual agent breast pump. It comes with a newborn bottle.

www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Natural-Comfort-Breast-Bottle/dp/B007ZPFO6S?tag=mumsnetforum-21

I used cold water sterilising tablets (a few quid from all supermarkets) and a large plastic Tupperware box with a click lid for sterilising.

I would be wary of spending too much money on stuff though before you see how it goes.

I wouldnt recommend expressing that early as it will confuse your supply.

As the above poster says re equipment- though I get on better with electric pump as I have s big milk supply.

I wouldn't start pumping till your supply is fully established but everyone is different on this and some get on fine expressing straight off while others suffer. Around about 5-6 week mark would be good

Thanks for your replies, good to know. Have u had any experience of the tommee tippee express and go kit? I'm so confused about expressing. Everything I read has said to introduce bottle to baby around 3 weeks so he doesn't get confused or refuse later. But if I can't express until 5/6 weeks what do I do?! I don't want to use formula...

I can only comment on my personal experience but i used the Medela electric pump, I froze my milk as baby never had a bottle and I used it later on for teething ( frozen bm pops) food made with my milk at weaning stage etc.

We didn't use a bottle so can't offer advice there, sorry .. I loved bf too much to share with dh 😬